Saku (beer)
Encyclopedia
Saku Brewery is an Estonian brewery
and soft drink
s company based in Saku
. It was founded in 1820 by local landlord Karl Friedrich von Rehbinder.
between 500 and 1000 A.D., when it was mostly used as a sacrificial drink. Breweries were first established in the larger villages in the middle of the 13th century. Beer was brewed at home, in abbeys and castles – it was the main drink together with small beer and milk. Soon the beer became so frequently consumed that fees and penalties were added to its cost. Currently, there are five breweries in Estonia, three of which belong into the Estonian Beer Brewers Association: Saku Brewery, A. Le Coq
Brewery and Viru Brewery.
Beer has become the main drink for Estonian farmers since the beginning of the 16th century. Beer was always brewed for bigger holidays and family events like wedding, baptisms and funerals. All kinds of beer songs and jokes relating to it were very popular among the common people.
The brewing traditions of Saku Brewery reach back to the beginning of the 19th century. Then the Saku estate was owned by count Karl Friedrich von Rehbinder who built a distillery and a brewery on his estate. The brewery was first documented in October 1820. It is believed that the production of beer, for the purpose of sale to pubs and taverns begun during the autumn of that year. From the end of 19th century onward Saku has remained among the leading breweries in Estonia.
. On 20 September 2008, the shares of Saku Õlletehase AS were delisted from Tallinn Stock Exchange. Today 100% of the shares are owned by Carlsberg Breweries.
Through large investments, Saku Brewery has become the market leader on the Estonian beer market. According to market research by ACNielsen
in March 2009, Saku Brewery held 38,7% of the local market share. The total sales of beer by Saku amounted to 59 million litres in 2007.
Beverages of Saku Brewery are exported amongst other countries to Sweden (the only Estonian beer in the Systembolaget
is Saku Kuld), Finland, Netherlands, England, Germany, Ireland and Canada. Saku's exports during the first five months of 2009 amounted to 3,12 million litres.
In April 2009, Saku Brewery invested over 70 million EEK into a new crystal-filtering technology, the first brewery to take this technology into usage in Estonia. Saku Originaal was the first beer to be brewed with the new technology. Crystal-filtering helps remove bacteria from the beer during brewing, giving the beer a longer lifetime and stronger taste.
Besides beers, Saku Brewery also produces mineral water (Vichy), cider (Kiss), long drinks (Saku ZIP), energy drinks (Battery, Traffic) and beer cocktails (DLight).
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....
and soft drink
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
s company based in Saku
Saku, Estonia
Saku is a small borough in Harju County, Estonia, located 16 km south from Tallinn, the capital. It is the administrative centre of Saku Parish...
. It was founded in 1820 by local landlord Karl Friedrich von Rehbinder.
Estonian brewing traditions and Saku Brewery
Beer was already known in present-day EstoniaEstonia
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...
between 500 and 1000 A.D., when it was mostly used as a sacrificial drink. Breweries were first established in the larger villages in the middle of the 13th century. Beer was brewed at home, in abbeys and castles – it was the main drink together with small beer and milk. Soon the beer became so frequently consumed that fees and penalties were added to its cost. Currently, there are five breweries in Estonia, three of which belong into the Estonian Beer Brewers Association: Saku Brewery, A. Le Coq
A. Le Coq
A. Le Coq is an Estonian brewery. The company was founded by Albert Le Coq in London in 1807, using a brewery in Tartu that was founded in 1826. The company was bought in 1997 and is currently owned by Finnish company Olvi. It produces many different types of drinks including beers, long drinks,...
Brewery and Viru Brewery.
Beer has become the main drink for Estonian farmers since the beginning of the 16th century. Beer was always brewed for bigger holidays and family events like wedding, baptisms and funerals. All kinds of beer songs and jokes relating to it were very popular among the common people.
The brewing traditions of Saku Brewery reach back to the beginning of the 19th century. Then the Saku estate was owned by count Karl Friedrich von Rehbinder who built a distillery and a brewery on his estate. The brewery was first documented in October 1820. It is believed that the production of beer, for the purpose of sale to pubs and taverns begun during the autumn of that year. From the end of 19th century onward Saku has remained among the leading breweries in Estonia.
Today
In 1991 joint venture Saku Õlletehas was established. Since January 27, 1998 the shares of Saku Brewery were traded in the list on the Tallinn Stock ExchangeTallinn Stock Exchange
The Tallinn Stock Exchange is a stock exchange operating in Tallinn, Estonia. It is one of the OMX Exchanges, which also operates Helsinki Stock Exchange and Stockholm Stock Exchange and is the only regulated exchange in Estonia. It has a pre-market session from 09:00 to 10:00, a normal trading...
. On 20 September 2008, the shares of Saku Õlletehase AS were delisted from Tallinn Stock Exchange. Today 100% of the shares are owned by Carlsberg Breweries.
Through large investments, Saku Brewery has become the market leader on the Estonian beer market. According to market research by ACNielsen
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:...
in March 2009, Saku Brewery held 38,7% of the local market share. The total sales of beer by Saku amounted to 59 million litres in 2007.
Beverages of Saku Brewery are exported amongst other countries to Sweden (the only Estonian beer in the Systembolaget
Systembolaget
Systembolaget is a government owned chain of liquor stores in Sweden. It is the only retail store allowed to sell alcoholic beverages that contain more than 3.5% alcohol. Systembolaget also sells non-alcoholic beverages. To buy alcoholic beverages at Systembolaget one has to be 20 years of age or...
is Saku Kuld), Finland, Netherlands, England, Germany, Ireland and Canada. Saku's exports during the first five months of 2009 amounted to 3,12 million litres.
Products
Saku Originaal is the flagship product of Saku Brewery and is made of yeast, water and selected malt and hops. Brewing of Saku Originaal started in 1993, making it the first Estonian beer to be sold after Estonia regained its independence. According to market research conducted by Emor in 2002, Saku Originaal is the most recognised and popular Estonian beer.In April 2009, Saku Brewery invested over 70 million EEK into a new crystal-filtering technology, the first brewery to take this technology into usage in Estonia. Saku Originaal was the first beer to be brewed with the new technology. Crystal-filtering helps remove bacteria from the beer during brewing, giving the beer a longer lifetime and stronger taste.
Besides beers, Saku Brewery also produces mineral water (Vichy), cider (Kiss), long drinks (Saku ZIP), energy drinks (Battery, Traffic) and beer cocktails (DLight).
- Beers
- Saku Originaal, Saku Kuld, Saku Valge, Saku Rock, Saku Lite, Saku Hele, Saku Tume, Saku On Ice, Taurus, Saku President, Saku Blond, Saku Porter, Carlsberg
- Mineral Water, Energy Drinks and Soft Drinks
- Vichy Classique, Vichy VivaFresh, VivaFresh Fruity Grape&Pear, Battery, Battery Juiced, Battery Sugarfree, Traffic, Vichy Ice Tea
- Long Drinks and Cider
- KISS Premium Dry, KISS Lite, KISS Strong, KISS Blueberry, KISS Cherry, KISS Pear, KISS Strawberry, Saku ZIP Long Drink Greip, Saku ZIP Long Drink Watermelon, Saku ZIP Long Drink Kaktus-Sidrun, DLight Lemon, DLight Pomegranate, DLight Grapefruit
Marketing
Among other marketing activities, Saku Brewery sponsors the following events and organizations:- Tartu Ülikool/RockTartu Ülikool/RockTartu Ülikool is an Estonian professional basketball club, based in Tartu, currently participating in the Korvpalli Meistriliiga, the Baltic Basketball League and the EuroChallenge. The basketball team belongs to The University of Tartu and plays their home games at the Tartu Ülikooli Spordihoone ...
, an Estonian professional basketball team - Estonian Ski Association
- International Summer Competition for Skiers
- Rabarock, an Estonian rock music festival
- Silverspoon gastronomy award