Budweiser now bottled in Malta

Farsons Group chief executive Louis A. Farrugia last Tuesday announced that Simonds Farsons Cisk plc have started packaging the world-renowned Budweiser beer at their brewery at Mriehel, under a special packaging agreement with Anheuser-Busch.

"Anheuser-Busch entrusted Farsons with the bottling of Budweiser in Malta following extensive technical audits," Mr Farrugia said. "This means that the bottling process will be done here in Malta following a plant development investment of more than Lm1 million. This is yet another significant milestone for our group."

Budweiser is a crisp, clean, refreshing premium lager brewed with only the finest all-natural ingredients and time-honoured methods which were passed down through five generations of the Busch family. It has been brewed since 1876 using an exclusive beechwood aging process, which naturally carbonates the beer.

Anheuser-Busch Europe Ltd vice president and managing director Andrew J. Day explained that the agreement with Farsons to bottle Budweiser is an important milestone for the brand in Malta.

"The Farsons Group have been importing and distributing packaged Budweiser in Malta for 20 years, and they share Anheuser-Busch's commitment to quality in everything they do," he said. "We're excited about this new agreement, and we look forward to working with Farsons to continue to grow Budweiser in Malta," he added.

Anheuser-Busch's quality control ensures that the distinctive Budweiser taste is the same wherever it is brewed. The Budweiser that is being packaged in Malta is brewed at Anheuser-Busch's Stag Brewery in Mortlake, London, and is transported to Malta in special temperature-controlled tankers that ensure the beer's freshness. On arrival at Mriehel, the beer is transferred into the Farsons beer storage tanks prior to bottling.

In Malta, Budweiser is available in 25cl bottles and 33cl cans and is priced as an imported premium lager. Budweiser in cans will continue to be imported.

"Budweiser is an internationally renowned beer, known around the world for its high quality and distinctive, clean, crisp taste," Wands managing director, Anthony J. Tabone said. "It is one of the leading imported beer brands in Malta and is available in high-end bars, restaurants, hotels and stores." He also added that Wands Ltd will remain responsible for the marketing of Budweiser in Malta.

Based in St Louis, Missouri, USA, Anheuser-Busch holds a leading world market share of 11 per cent, including its proportional share of its international equity partners' brands. Its Budweiser, which is brewed in 12 US breweries and nine countries, is sold throughout the world.

Last year Anheuser-Busch reported worldwide beer volume of 111 million barrels, up 1.2 per cent for the year. Pro-rated volume of its partners' brands was 18.8 million barrels, giving Anheuser-Busch a combined volume of 129.8 million barrels in 2003.