State-owned Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar reports 2011 exports increase of 7.8% to 17.17 million gallons, its best result in 116 years

Nevin Barich

PRAGUE , January 4, 2012 (Associated Press) – State-owned Czech brewery Budvar, which has been fighting a long legal battle with American brewer Anheuser-Busch over the use of the "Budweiser" brand, says its 2011 exports rose by 7.8 percent to reach a record high.

Budejovicky Budvar NP says it exported more than 650,000 hectoliters (17.17 million gallons) of beer to some 60 countries last year, the best result in 116 years. Budvar's overall 2011 output reached 1.32 million hectoliters (34.87 million gallons), 5.5 percent more than 2010.

Overall Czech beer production was expected to grow by around 1 percent in 2011.

Budvar spokesman Petr Samec said Wednesday that details of Budvar's sales in particular countries, including the United States, will be released in several weeks. Financial results are expected in May or June.

Budvar has been fighting for years with U.S. beer giant Anheuser-Busch in a number of countries over use of the famous Budweiser brand, to which both companies claim a historical right.

Anheuser-Busch was taken over by Belgian brewer InBev in 2008 to form Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest beer company. Budvar said the deal did not affect the legal battle.

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