The Czech Budweiser Budvar Introduced the Krones Filling Line with Conveyor System
Beer lovers know that there are two Budweiser brands in the world. Since 1907, the Budweiser Budvar Brewery in the Czech town of Budweiser and Anheuser-Busch (brand: Budweiser) have been in legal disputes. The current legal ruling allows the American Budweiser to use the brand name globally—except in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria, where Budweiser Budvar holds the rights. According to the European Court of Justice, the American beer group is not protected in these regions. In contrast, in the United States and Canada, Czech Budweiser is sold under the “Czechvar” brand.
The main brand is Budweiser Budvar Original Premium Lager
Budweiser Budvar: A Historic Czech Brewery
Budweiser Budvar Brewery is a 100% state-owned enterprise founded in 1895, employing more than 650 people. The brewery occupies about 120,000 square meters in South Bohemia and is a popular tourist attraction, welcoming around 60,000 visitors annually thanks to its traditional brewing techniques and excellent cellar beer. Its main brand is Budweiser Budvar Original Premium Lager, alongside Bitter 33, stout, light, and alcohol-free varieties. The brewery also produces Birgo Radle in collaboration with Mattoni, and partners with smaller local breweries for Bohemian craft beer projects.
In 2021, total output reached 180,000 liters, of which more than 100,000 liters were exported to various countries, including 45,000 liters to Germany alone.
Adopting the Krones Filling Line and Conveyor System
For many years, the brewery did not use Krones filling technology with bottle conveyor systems,case conveyor systems ,or pallet conveyor systems. That changed in early 2020, when Budweiser Budvar introduced a full Krones glass-bottle recycling line with a capacity of 50,000 bottles per hour.
Canned beer has become essential for export markets such as South Korea, which imports mainly canned Budweiser. During COVID-19 travel restrictions, local demand for canned beer also rose sharply. However, the previous canning line from 2012 could only produce 7 million liters annually, prompting an urgent need to expand.
The New Krones Can Line: Compact, Efficient, and Automated
After a public tender, the brewery once again selected Krones for a new canning line with a capacity of 50,000 cans per hour. As a state-run company, Budvar must follow strict procurement procedures. The Krones proposal offered optimal layout and automated pallet conveyor systems,along with proven installation experience from the previous project.
The new equipment was installed in the existing bottle warehouse, organized in a six-by-six-meter grid between columns. The sterilizer, divided into five shipment sections, was precisely placed between columns to fit the compact space. The brewery also added an elevated working platform to handle the unloading of empty cans more efficiently. The line connects directly to a pallet and storage system capable of handling 19,500 pallets.
Key machines include the Pressant Universal 1A depalletizer, Cantronic can detection, Contiflow mixer, Modulfill VFS-C filler (with foam-cleaning unit), Modulseam seamer, Checkmat FM-X inspection, Linadry can dryers, LinaFlex disinfection units, Variopac Pro TFS packaging, and Modulpal Pro 2AC palletizers. The tunnel sterilizer extends shelf life to 12 months, replacing the old instantaneous sterilizer.
Digital Monitoring and Precision Traceability
Each can’s filling date and shelf life are laser-marked—the first of its kind in the Czech Republic. Production efficiency and performance are monitored via Krones’ SitePilot Line Diagnostics and Line Management systems, which track defects, filling rates, packaging materials, and labeling accuracy. Pallets are tagged with EAN codes for precise warehouse location tracking.
The same management software is used for the Krones glass-bottle recycling line, which began operation in 2020. Its success has encouraged Budvar to plan a full ERP system implementation to integrate production data across the factory.
Higher Efficiency and Consistent Quality
The new canning line achieved 97.68% efficiency in initial testing and 98.34% in final acceptance—an excellent performance. After minor adjustments, the system reached full operation within two months. The brewery now runs three shifts, five days a week, eliminating the need for weekend work thanks to higher efficiency.
Budweiser Budvar continues to use the traditional German Purity Law method, relying only on malt, hops, yeast, and water—sourced exclusively from the Bohemian region. The beer matures underground at 2°C for over 90 days, ensuring rich flavor and unique character.
Looking ahead, the brewery aims to expand capacity to 270,000 liters per year and eventually 360,000 liters. Plans include a new brewhouse with three mash lines, continuing the integration of automation, Krones technology, and conveyor systems,to enhance production and maintain quality.
