The licensing agreement provides for the production of the popular Baltika “No.9” and Baltika “No. 3” varieties of Baltika in 0.5L glass bottles and 1L plastic bottles at the Carlsberg Uzbekistan brewery. In mid-October, domestically brewed Baltika No. 3 Classic began to arrive at stores around the country.

In 2007, the share of Baltika No. 3 and Baltika No. 9 in the total sales of Baltika beer in Uzbekistan was in excess of 50%. Licensed production has made it possible to significantly reduce logistics and transportation costs. This has had a positive effect on the price of the product for the end user, namely a savings of 30%. Given the current competitive environment, the retail price for Baltika No. 9 Extra in 0.5L glass bottles averages 1,600 Uzbek soums.

Beer lovers appreciate No. 9’s strength (8% ABV), which is achieved exclusively through natural fermentation. The beer’s unique recipe was developed by specialists at Baltika Breweries using high quality malt and hops. This beer harmoniously combines unique strength and a light flavour. In the fermentation process, yeast which is especially resistant to alcohol is used, so that the alcohol content can be augmented. Production of strong beer is a more labour-intensive and lengthier process compared to the production of light varieties. In countries with long-standing traditions of beer brewing, strong varieties have always been considered the elite. Baltika No. 9 has won about a dozen awards in different international venues, among them a Silver Medal at the Superior Taste Award in Brussels, Belgium, one of the most authoritative beer competitions in the world.

Alcohol content of Baltika No 9: at least 8.0% abv. Extract strength of the initial wort: 16%. Baltika No. 9 Extra was first bottled in 1998 at the Baltika Brewery in St. Petersburg. The variety has been successfully exported to 38 countries around the world, among them Germany, Australia, Ireland, France, the United States, and even exotic destinations, like Bahrain, Mexico, Mongolia and South Korea.

The Carlsberg Uzbekistan Brewery was commissioned in the fall of 2007. This modern facility employing the latest technology has been equipped by the world’s best known suppliers to the beer industry, including KHS (Germany), Alfa Laval (Belgium), GEA Grasso (Holland) and Loos (Germany). The annual production capacity of the brewery is 100 million litres or 200 million 0.5 L glass bottles. The Joint Venture employs about 400 people. At this time, the brewery produces such popular national brands as Sarbast® Original and Sarbast® Extra, as well as the international brands Tuborg Green and Baltika No. 3 Classic.

Baltika Breweries is the largest FMCG producer in Russia. Since 1996, it has been the leader on the Russian beer market. The Company’s portfolio includes over 30 beer brands, among them well-known brands like Baltika, Tuborg, Carlsberg, Arsenalnoye, Yarpivo, Uralsky Master, Don, Nevskoye, as well as around 10 non-beer brands. At the end of 2007, Baltika took first place in Europe in terms of sales volume (Canadean). The Company comprises 11 breweries across all of Russia, and one brewery abroad. It employs more than 12,500 people in Russia. Baltika’s products are marketed in 50 countries throughout the world. The Company alone accounts for 70% of all Russian beer exports.

Baltika Breweries and Carlsberg Uzbekistan are part of the Carlsberg Group.