Ahead of the release on Wednesday of Carlsberg’s results for the fourth quarter and the 12 months of 2016, here’s a look at the events that shaped the three months to the end of December for the brewer.
- After a quiet start to the quarter, Carlsberg’s UK division announced in mid-October that it would launch Celia, a gluten-free lager brand from Czech, in the market. Two expressions are available, both of which are produced using a de-glutenisation process.
- As the month drew to a close, the group confirmed local reports out of Vietnam claiming it has held discussions with the country’s government regarding its holding in Hanoi Beer Alcohol & Beverage Corp (Habeco). The state-controlled brewer is reportedly up for sale, although what a transaction would mean for Carlsberg’s 17% stake in Habeco is still not clear.
The Vietnamese beer market – Click here for a just-drinks focus
- Then, in November, CEO Cees ‘t Hart said the group had begun brewing the Brooklyn beer brand under licence in Europe. Carlsberg has a strong relationship with US-based Brooklyn Brewery, having set up two Scandinavian facilities with the company in the last three years.
- The company was moved in late-November to counter claims of patent law abuse: Pressure group No Patents on Seed had argued that Carlsberg had secured the patent rights for three new types of barley, but the brewer partnered with Heineken to say that the patents were not for the barley strands, but for the technique used in their development.
- Baltika Breweries, Carlsberg’s Russian division, announced in November that it is starting exports to Oman. The unit began its shipments to the Middle Eastern country – which has no domestic brewing presence – with the Baltika 3 brand.
- Finally in Q4, we returned to the UK, where the company relaunched the Carlsberg Export brand. Targetting Millennial consumers, Carlsberg’s unit in the country showcased stronger Danish cues on the packaging for the brand, which is produced at one of the company’s UK facilities, in Northampton.