Carlsberg Bulgaria can trace its roots back to 1882, when the Czech brewmaster Franz Milde arrived in Shumen.  Together with a number of local businessmen, he founded Shumensko pivo, the oldest brewery in Bulgaria.

The modern company dates from 2002, when Carlsberg acquired a majority shareholding in Shumensko pivo and, later the same year, in the Pirinsko pivo brewery.  The two breweries merged to become Carlsberg Bulgaria in 2004.

Carlsberg Bulgaria is the third largest and the fastest growing beer company in the country with a 22% market share.  It is an excellent example of how international standards, local traditions and a 125-year heritage can combine to provide first class products.  Carlsberg Bulgaria is also one of the leading investors in the country, contributing to the local and national economy and setting high standards for the brewing industry and the environment.

The Shumen brewery began local production of Tuborg in 2004, and in 2006 sales of the brand increased by 33.5% in just one year. Holsten has also been produced locally since 2006, but Carlsberg beers are imported.

Carlsberg Bulgaria is part of Carlsberg South East Europe.

 

KEY DATES:

1882: Shumensko Brewery founded
1971: Pirinsko Brewery founded
2002: Carlsberg becomes majority shareholder in Shumensko and Pirinsko
2004: Shumensko and Pirinsko breweries merge to create Carlsberg Bulgaria

 

KEY FACTS:

Sites: 2
Employees: 500
Market Position: 3
Market Share: 22% 
Annual beer consumption per person: 68 litres
Carlsberg Ownership:  79,516%

 

BRANDS:

Carlsberg, Tuborg Green, Holsten, Shumensko, and Pirinsko

 

CONTACTS:

Carlsberg Bulgaria
1 Business Park Sofia,
Mladost 4,
Sofia 1721,
Bulgaria

Tel: +359 291 792 60
Fax: +359 291 792 89

E-mail: office@carlsberg.bg
Website: www.tuborg.bg

 

DID YOU KNOW THAT ..?

  • Carlsberg Bulgaria is the only brewer to be a founder member of Bulgaria’s ECO-organisations, which recycle all waste materials from the production process.
  • Advertisements created for Tuborg won an international award at the 2005 EPICA advertising festival.  Tuborg outdoor ads also took third prize in 2006.
  • Shumensko Brewery had a Beer Museum and donated its historic collection to the Shumen Municipality Museum.

 

Revised 2007