Small Brewery “Valmiermuiža's alus” Invests One Million Euros in the Development of Dark Beer

Over eleven months of this year compared to the same period last year the turnover of “Valmiermuiža’s alus” brewery increased by 30%, exceeding one million lats. Currently it amounts to 1,115,867 lats. Additionally, despite the cold summer the sales volumes of beer increased by 26% over the past months of this year. Currently “Valmiermuiža’s alus” is launching an investment project in the amount of one million lats for the development of dark beer brewing in order to be able to brew dark beer all year round starting from next spring.

THE DEMAND FOR DARK BEER DURING THE WINTER SEASON INCREASED BY 67%

Currently, on average only one in ten beer lovers in Latvia gives preference to dark beer and its price is higher than that of the light beer. However, the landlord of “Valmiermuiža's alus” believes that brewing of sorts of dark beer serves as a potential for the growth of small breweries. “Dark beer can offer expressive, unique, and diverse flavours which attract beer lovers”, says Aigars Rungis (Aigars Ruņģis), landlord of “Valmiermuiža's alus” brewery. “Calculations show that, having compared this season and the two previous winter seasons, the sales of “Valmiermuiža's alus” dark beer increased by 67%.” 

IT IS PLANNED TO DOUBLE THE VOLUME OF DARK BEER NEXT YEAR

Brewing of dark beer requires both more time for brewing barley malt mash and significantly more time for ripening of beer. Due to the limited capacity of brewery, “Valmiermuiža’s alus” dark beer was brewed only during winter season months and it was sold at certain points of sale. However, merchants, taking into account changes in the demand for beer, want to offer dark beer to customers all year round.

In winter season of 2010 “Valmiermuiža's alus” brewed 11,432 litres of dark beer. Last year 26,950 litres of beer were brewed. Whereas this winter it is planned to brew 45,000 of dark beer. Next year after implementing investments it is planned to brew 100,000 litres of dark beer. 

At this stage of investments one more kettle for brewing barley malt mash will be installed and one more cellar for fermenting and storage of beer will be constructed. The necessary equipment customized for “Valmiermuiža’s alus” will be delivered from Bavaria in Germany and Netherlands. Construction works will be performed by the experts of Burtnieki enterprise SCO Centrs.

FOR INFORMATION

“Valmiermuiža’s alus” is one of the smallest and youngest breweries in Latvia, which entered the market in the spring of 2009. The aim of the brewery is to develop beer enjoyment culture in Latvia and not to exceed 1% share of Latvian beer market. In 2011 “Valmiermuiža’s alus” brewery invested 190 thousands lats in the development of light beer in order to construct another cellar for fermenting and storage of beer. 

100% of “Valmiermuiža’s alus” brewery capital shares belong to “Valmiermuižas ieguldījumu fonds” Ltd. (Valmiermuiza’s investment fund) created with an aim to develop the brand of “Valmiermuiža” in the long term, to popularize Valmiermuiža as a gourmet tourism destination and to further export of Valmiermuiža production. 60% of fund’s shares belong to the owner of the brewery Aigars Rungis, 24% – to Austrian investment fund Industrieliegenschaftenvervaltungs AG (ILAG) and 16% – to Austrian enterprise “Alcor”.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Elina Megne, „Valmiermuiža’s alus” Spokesperson

Phone: +37126107337, E-mail: elina@valmiermuiza.lv

www.valmiermuiza.lv