Budvar ends distribution deal with Anheuser-Busch

[July 03, 2012]  PRAGUE (AP) -- State-owned Czech brewery Budejovicky Budvar NP says it is terminating a distribution deal with its U.S. archrival Anheuser-Busch.

In 2007, Anheuser-Busch -- now Anheuser-Busch Inbev -- agreed to distribute Budvar's Czechvar lager in the United States.

The move originally helped Budvar, which has been fighting a long legal battle with Anheuser-Busch over the use of the "Budweiser" brand, boost U.S. sales.

But Budvar says after Anheuser-Busch was taken over by Belgian brewer InBev in 2008, it lost its interest in importing Czechvar and didn't meet the imports goals for 2011.

Budvar said Tuesday that United State Beverages based in Stamford, Connecticut will take over Czechvar's U.S. distribution Saturday.

Budvar has since 2001 exported its lager to the U.S. under the name Czechvar due to trademark issues.

[Associated Press]

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