Who owns SKOPSKO BEER?

SKOPSKO BEER is owned by

HEINEKEN N.V.

Website

Skopsko Beer was first brewed in Skopje, North Macedonia (then Yugoslavia) in 1924 by the Skopje Brewery. The brewery was founded by Czech businessman and engineer Viktor Zejs, and fellow Czech banker Karel Husnik. The move was part of a wave of foreign investment that spread into the Balkans, which began at the end of the first world war. The two founding partners began with an investment of three million dinar, which increased to nine million dinar by the time the brewery opened in 1924. The investment paid off, however, and by 1939 they were brewing over 35,000 hectoliters of beer per year.

Despite the tumult of World War II, the company continued to grow as demand for Skopsko beer increased throughout the region. In 1951 the brewery underwent a full modernization, which expanded the company’s capacity and led to even more growth. The brewery later expanded into soft drinks in 1977, as well as vinegar, yeast, and other food products. In 1991, Skopje Brewery became the official authorized bottler of Coca-Cola for the newly independent North Macedonia (then known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

In 1998, the Greek affiliate for Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, created a joint venture with Heineken N.V. to purchase a controlling interest in the company amounting to 55.3%. The two companies increased their collective share to 96.5% in 2011, with Heineken having the largest stake at 48.3%.

Skopsko remains the market leader for beer in Macedonia, with a 64% market share in the country. In 2014 the company added a dark beer to the portfolio – Skopsko Dark – which was followed by an unfiltered version of the classic light Skopsko in 2018.

Popular Beers by this Brand

• Skopsko
• Dry Hopped IPL
• Radler
• Dark
• Smooth
• Cherry
• Riot

Like what we’re doing here? Donate to help keep the site alive!