Ragutis
Encyclopedia
Volfas Engelman is an alcohol beverage producer in Kaunas
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...

, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...

.

Currently 99.57 % of Volfas Engelman shares belong to Finnish company group Olvi Plc. It is now one of the most modern light alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages producer in Lithuania, which produces and sells beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...

, kvass
Kvass
Kvass, kvas, quass or gira, gėra is a fermented beverage made from black...

, cider
Cider
Cider or cyder is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from apple juice. Cider varies in alcohol content from 2% abv to 8.5% abv or more in traditional English ciders. In some regions, such as Germany and America, cider may be termed "apple wine"...

, alcohol cocktail
Cocktail
A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink that contains two or more ingredients—at least one of the ingredients must be a spirit.Cocktails were originally a mixture of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. The word has come to mean almost any mixed drink that contains alcohol...

s, and energy drinks.

According to the market research company AC Nielsen
ACNielsen
ACNielsen is a global marketing research firm, with worldwide headquarters in New York City. Regional headquarters for North America are located in Schaumburg, Illinois. As of May 2010, it is part of The Nielsen Company.-History:...

, Volfas Engelman is the third biggest player in beer market, it has 37 % of cider market share
Market share
Market share is the percentage of a market accounted for by a specific entity. In a survey of nearly 200 senior marketing managers, 67 percent responded that they found the "dollar market share" metric very useful, while 61% found "unit market share" very useful.Marketers need to be able to...

, 26 % of alcohol cocktails, and 13 % of energy drinks market in 2009. Smetoniska gira, a kvass that was launched in 2008, got the market leader position already in 2009.

History

The brewery Volfas Engelman was opened in Kaunas in 1853, after merchant Raphail Wolf started boiling "Wolf's beer" in his own brewery
Brewery
A brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....

. At that time he was producing only several buckets of beer a day, however, at that time it was a new high quality beer. Later the business of this factory went to his son Iser Ber Wolf. Iser Ber Wolf together with A. S. Soloveichik, another famous person in Kaunas, in the last decade of 19th century decided to buy a brewery from the competitor Ferdinand Engelmann. Hence, based on this they established a new brewery "Steam-driven Beer and Malt Factory Engelmann".

In 1927 several names for the brewery were used: I. B. Wolf – Engelmann, J. B. Wolf – Engelmann, J. B. Wolf – Engelman, but the official name proved by the Finance minister
Finance minister
The finance minister is a cabinet position in a government.A minister of finance has many different jobs in a government. He or she helps form the government budget, stimulate the economy, and control finances...

 was "Joint-stock Company of Beer Breweries and Molt Factories". A that time the sales
Sales
A sale is the act of selling a product or service in return for money or other compensation. It is an act of completion of a commercial activity....

 amounted to 40 % of all beer consumption in Lithuania. Till the World War I that beer was exported to Gardin, Baltstoge, Suvalkai, Łomża.

In 1930 "I. B. Wolf – Engelman" sold 3.4 milliliters of production – about one third of all beer made in Lithuania. Lithuanian manufacturers and retailers highly valued various fairs. The company received a number of gold and silver medals for high quality production.

In 1940 the company "I.B.Volfas-Engelman" was nationalized
Nationalization
Nationalisation, also spelled nationalization, is the process of taking an industry or assets into government ownership by a national government or state. Nationalization usually refers to private assets, but may also mean assets owned by lower levels of government, such as municipalities, being...

. The name was changed into "The previous I. B. Wolf – Engelman brewery". Since 1941 the name "Raudonoji pasvaiste" is found in the documents. Later it was changed once again into "Perkunas".

In 1959 "Beer and Soft Drinks Syndicate of Kaunas" was established on the basis of beer breweries "Volfas Engelman" and "Raudonoji pašvaistė". In 1967 the syndicate was renamed to "Ragutis".

After Lithuania regained its independence in 1990, "Volfas Engelman" was given a status of Kaunas Public Beer Brewery. The disaffiliated second plant became an independent beer company "Zalsvytis". During the years 1993-1994 40 % of "Volfas Engelman" production was sold in Kaunas.

At the beginning of 1997, Czech
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....

 beer brewery "Pilzner Urquell" bought 51 % of "Volfas Engelman" shares. The new owners paid lots of attention to the production process and the quality of beer; therefore they decided to suspend the production of other drinks. Around 10 million litas was invested into modernization of the brewery. The focus was put on the improvement of production quality, an increase of production efficiency, and expansion of production capacity.

In 1999 "Olvi Plc" bought "Volfas Engelman" shares from "Pilzner Urquell". Currently "Olvi Plc" owns 99,57 % of "Volfas Engelman" shares.

Beer

  • "Horn" Premium – 5,2 % strength high quality beer, which is exceptional for its taste and strong foam
    Foam
    -Definition:A foam is a substance that is formed by trapping gas in a liquid or solid in a divided form, i.e. by forming gas regions inside liquid regions, leading to different kinds of dispersed media...

    . It's being sold in 0.5 l cans.
  • "Horn" Disel - 5,3 % strength beer of light taste. It's being sold in 0.5 l cans.
  • "Fortas" šviesusis – 5 % beer of the highest quality. It's being sold in 0.5 l cans, glass bottles, 4-packs, and 2 l plastic bottles.
  • "Fortas" stiprusis – 8,1 % strength light beer. It's being sold in 0.5 l glass bottles, 1 l and 2 l plastic bottles.
  • "Fortas" stipriausias – 9 % strength light beer. It's being sold in 0.5 l glass bottles and 2l plastic bottles.
  • "Fortas" tradicinis – 6,1 % strength beer. It's being sold in 2.15 l plastic bottles.
  • "Fortas" Pilsner – 4,7 % strength light beer. It's being sold in 0.5 l cans and 2l plastic bottles.
  • "Volfas Engelman" Rinktinis– 5,2 % strength light beer. It's being sold in 0.5 l glass bottles of original design and 1 pint (0.568 l) cans.
  • "Volfas Engelman" Imperial portelis – 6 % strength dark porter. It's being sold in 0.5 l glass bottles of original design with an opening function in the bottom and 1 pint (0.568 l) cans.
  • Beer cocktail "b-shake" – 2,9 % strength cocktails of beer and tequila
    Tequila
    Tequila is a spirit made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, northwest of Guadalajara, and in the highlands of the western Mexican state of Jalisco....

     with lemon
    Lemon
    The lemon is both a small evergreen tree native to Asia, and the tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world – primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind are also used, mainly in cooking and baking...

    , and beer and coke tastes. It's being sold in 0.33 l glass bottles.

Cider

"Fizz" – 4.7 % strength naturally fermented cider of pear
Pear
The pear is any of several tree species of genus Pyrus and also the name of the pomaceous fruit of these trees. Several species of pear are valued by humans for their edible fruit, but the fruit of other species is small, hard, and astringent....

, strawberry
Strawberry
Fragaria is a genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, commonly known as strawberries for their edible fruits. Although it is commonly thought that strawberries get their name from straw being used as a mulch in cultivating the plants, the etymology of the word is uncertain. There...

, blackberry
Blackberry
The blackberry is an edible fruit produced by any of several species in the Rubus genus of the Rosaceae family. The fruit is not a true berry; botanically it is termed an aggregate fruit, composed of small drupelets. The plants typically have biennial canes and perennial roots. Blackberries and...

, tangerine, and other tastes. It's being sold in 0.5 l cans and 1.5 l plastic bottles.

"Real" – 6 % strength cider of exotic fruits, peer, wild berry, and peach. It's being sold in 1.5 l plastic bottles.

Alcohol cocktails

"A. Le Coq G:N" – 5.6 % strength alcohol cocktail of "Safari", "Mai Tai", "Green lime" tastes. It's being sold in 0.5 l cans and 1.5 l plastic bottles.

"Jamaica" – 8.1 % sparkling alcohol cocktail of watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...

, grapefruit
Grapefruit
The grapefruit , is a subtropical citrus tree known for its sour fruit, an 18th-century hybrid first bred in Barbados. When found, it was named the "forbidden fruit"; it has also been misidentified with the pomelo or shaddock , one of the parents of this hybrid, the other being sweet orange The...

gin
Gin
Gin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries . Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, it is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories...

, lemon-cactus
Cactus
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments. In most species, the stem has evolved to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have evolved into spines...

, strawberry-banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....

, kiwi
Kiwi
Kiwi are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand, in the genus Apteryx and family Apterygidae.At around the size of a domestic chicken, kiwi are by far the smallest living ratites and lay the largest egg in relation to their body size of any species of bird in the world...

-green lemon, and orange tastes. It's being sold in 1.5 l plastic bottles.

Kvass

"Smetoniška gira" – naturally leavened kvass
Kvass
Kvass, kvas, quass or gira, gėra is a fermented beverage made from black...

. It's being sold in 0.5 l cans and glass bottles as well as 1 l and 1.5 l plastic bottles.

Energy drinks

"Dynami:t"– energy drink of traditional taste with guano's extract. It's being sold in 0.33 l cans and 0.5 l plastic bottles.

"Dynami:t juice" – refreshing energy drink with juice. It's being sold in 0.5 l plastic bottles.

"Volfas Engelman" sponsors

"Hanza dienos". Each year one of the cities, which is a member of "New Hansa" organization, is delegated to be a center of international Hanza days celebration. Hence, thousands of participants come from the partner cities for a week. Since 1991 Kaunas is the only city in Lithuania that belongs to an international union New Hansa. Each year Kaunas presents its cuisine, art, music, theater, and other heritage in an annual union event International Hansa Days. A number of participants and artists from countries, such as Germany, Poland, Russia, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...

, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...

, Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...

, Norway, and the Netherlands, are performing in the event.

"Kaunas City Day" – an annual city's birthday celebration, which attracts lots of attention from inhabitants and guests. Traditionally it's taking place on about 20 May, as on this day in 1463 Kazimieras Jogailaitis renewed and extended the city's rights. The main events are taking place in the streets and squares of Kaunas old town. Each year something valuable is created for Kaunas: anthologies of poems about Kaunas, city's symbol Kaunutis, a coin with Tauras. During the celebration the city has the atmosphere of spring, visitors are attending a number of fairs and concerts that represent both professional and amateur life of artists in Kaunas.

"Operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...

 in Kaunas’ castle"
– the first operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...

s festival of this type in Eastern Europe. In 2009 it was taking place for the 8th time already. Each year famous soloists from Lithuania and other countries are participating in this festival. The event is taking place in the yard of Musical Theater. Each year opera, ballet, musical, cinema music, Neapolitan song
Music of Naples
Naples has played an important and vibrant role over the centuries not just in the music of Italy, but in the general history of western European musical traditions. This influence extends from the early music conservatories in the 16th century through the music of Alessandro Scarlatti during the...

 or other genres are visiting the festival. In 2008 Spanish operetta zarzuela
Zarzuela
Zarzuela is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular song, as well as dance...

 was an honorable guest.

"Pažaislis Music Festival" – the longest music festival in Lithuania, which lasts for the whole summer. In 2009 it was taking place for the 14th time. Both local and foreign artists participate on the stage. Organizers are focused for the younger generation to get to know the history of Lithuania. A part of the events are free of charge.

"Amber Couple" – international dancing competition, which became a traditional art and sports event and at the same time a school for young dancers in Kaunas. Plenty of couples who have participated in this competition are currently globally promoting the name of Kaunas and Lithuania.

State Drama Theater of Kaunas – a theater which started the professional life of Lithuanian theater as such. Ever since the opening of the theater it has been a place where many talents wanted to express themselves in various genres – tragedy
Tragedy
Tragedy is a form of art based on human suffering that offers its audience pleasure. While most cultures have developed forms that provoke this paradoxical response, tragedy refers to a specific tradition of drama that has played a unique and important role historically in the self-definition of...

, comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...

, romance, eclectics, etc.

"Lithuanian Theater Spring" – festival of professional theater that each year brings spring to Kaunas. The festival takes place at Girstutis culture house and it's titled as the oldest stage art festival in Lithuania. Each year professional and amateur theaters from the whole Lithuania show the most interesting performance they have created. That is a remarkable cultural event that goes together with traditions and presents the main art tendencies.

"Kauno rampa" – a celebration of Lithuanian amateur theater taking place annually since 1973. Each year best Lithuanian amateur theaters come to Kaunas to perform their newest and plays. Many people of different age, interests, and hobbies attend the event, when for four days Kaunas lives in a celebration mood.

"Kaunas talent" – it's a celebration of the popular music and dance, which aims at increasing popularity of children and youth music, finding and encouraging talent artists to emerge, and getting acquainted to songs and dances of foreign countries. During the eight year when the celebration is taking place, artists from Austria, Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...

, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...

, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...

, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...

, Russia, Portugal, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...

, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...

, USA, Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...

, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...

, Italy, Moldova
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...

, Germany, and other countries have visited the event.

Works cited

  • Vilma Akmenytė, Giedrė Milerytė. Nuo I.B.Volfo ir Engelmano iki Ragučio. - K.:Kopa, 2008. - 208 p.: iliustr. - ISBN 978-9955-772-06-4
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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