Budweiser Budvar is broadening its export to Australia with dark lager

Budweiser Budvar, N.C. is dispatching its first shipment of dark lager to Australia tomorrow. The consignment contains 108 hectolitres in 0.5 litre bottles and its delivery will take approximately six weeks. Australia counts amongst Budweiser Budvar’s furthest export territories, nonetheless it ranks amongst those, where the sales have been dynamically advancing, regularly reaching a double-digit annual increase.

“The Australians have come to like our mildly bitter beer, which has also been confirmed by the progress of our sales. Considering the preliminary interest from our customers, we anticipate our dark lager being successful here as well,” says Budweiser Budvar’s export manager for Australia Tomáš Bártů.

The brewery began to export its pale lager to Australia under the trademark of “Budějovický Budvar“ in 2004. The volume retailed at that time amounted to 380 hectolitres. During a mere five years, this volume has been increased eight-fold. The 2009 exports to Australia reached 3,100 hectolitres, which represents a year-on-year increase of 35% in spite of the economic recession.

The sales of drawn pale lager have also been advancing well in this country, as it variegated the offers in restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide last July. The price for a 0.5 litre ranges around AUD 7 (i.e. approximately CZK 125).

Budweiser Budvar is expecting a further increase of its sales in Australia for this year, with a particular high rise achieved with keg beer.