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Carlsberg Bulgaria

Carlsberg Group in Bulgaria

Carlsberg Bulgaria can trace its roots back to 1882, when the Czech brewmaster Franz Milde arrived in the town of 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, located in the town of Blagoevgrad. The two breweries merged to become Carlsberg Bulgaria in 2004.

Carlsberg Bulgaria is the leading beer company in the country with more than 41% market share in volume. It is an excellent example of how international standards; local traditions and a nearly 135-year heritage can combine to provide first-class products. Carlsberg Bulgaria is one of the major investors in the country, contributing to the local and national economy and setting high standards for the brewing industry.

Key Facts

Breweries: 2
Market Position: 1
Market Share: 41%

Contact

Carlsberg Bulgaria
1 Business Park Sofia,
Mladost 4,
Sofia 1766,
Bulgaria

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

E-mail: [email protected]

Management

Chief Executive Director, Carlsberg Bulgaria

Wojciech Zabinski

Head of Finance, Carlsberg Bulgaria

Tihomir Chakarov

Media Relations

Public Relations & CSR Manager

Elina Tsankova

Email [email protected]

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 

Did you know that...?

  • Pirinsko, a local brand of the company, became beer brand N1 in Bulgaria since May 2016 and is the leading beer brand in the country in 2020.
  • Advertisements created for Pirinsko have won awards for advertising effectiveness at the EFFIE festival for three consecutive years.
  • Shumensko Brewery had a Beer Museum and donated its historic collection to the Shumen Municipality Museum.
  • Somersby is the most preferred cider in Bulgaria becoming the synonym for the category
  • Carlsberg Bulgaria is the only brewer to be a founder member of Bulgaria’s ECO-organization which collects and recycles waste products packaging.