Heineken Česká republika is a division of the Heineken group and, according to the Czech News Agency, has long been the third-largest brewing company on the Czech market after Plzeňský Prazdroj and Pivovary Staropramen.[1] It owns the Starobrno breweries, Královský pivovar Krušovice and the Velké Březno Brewery, employing more than 450 people in them.[1][2]
In September 2017 the company opened a distribution centre on the grounds of the Velké Březno Brewery, from which it delivers beer to shops and restaurants in northwestern Bohemia.[1] Tours of the historic brewery building ended in spring 2026. [1] A distribution and logistics centre will remain on the brewery grounds, and the company plans to create a space presenting the history and legacy of the Březňák brand. [1] Operation of the bottling line in Velké Březno ended in 2014; production of tank and keg beer remained. [1]
On 26 October 2026, external relations director Robert Kičina confirmed to Ústecký deník that the brewery in Velké Březno will stop brewing beer and the company will move production of the Březňák brand to other plants of the group. The Březňák brand will continue to be produced, and the company wants to keep the original recipe, the ingredients used and the key elements of the traditional production process. [1] According to him, the change will affect about twenty employees, for whom the company is looking for other job opportunities. He cited the continuing decline in beer consumption and rising energy costs as the reason.[1][2] In March 2026 Heineken announced only a partial reduction of production volume in Velké Březno without layoffs, and about 25 people worked at the brewery at the time. [1]
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 26 October 2026
- Novinky.cz — 26 October 2026