Number two in two years
KHS technology a major factor in the success of the Georgian Beer Company
KHS plant engineering has been part of the success story since the very beginning. It all started with an Innokeg Till CombiKeg. As soon as the company began production, a second large order was sent to KHS for a can filler with an upstream rinser and conveyors which were incorporated into an existing glass line at the end of 2012. A turnkey PET line was also ordered which went into operation as planned in March 2013. A second turnkey glass line is to help expand the brewery's capacity as of April 2014.
Chocheli is very enthusiastic about his KHS machines. "We've had a lot of experience with KHS in a very short space of time and can safely say that the technological concept is just as good as the quality of the service. KHS is also a partner we trust. I can only stress time and again how thankful I am for each and every one of our KHS lines, for it's these which ensure our success. After all, we can only supply outstanding products if we use outstanding plant equipment to produce and bottle them."
At present the Georgian Beer Company markets three brand beers. The bottom-fermented lager Zedazeni clocks up 50% of the company's total beer sales, with Khevsuruli, a brand beer made in full accordance with the traditional Georgian brewing process, and the premium German König Pilsner brand, brewed under license, accounting for 25% apiece. What's interesting is that the Georgian Beer Company is the first company in the world to be given permission to brew König Pilsner under license. Vasili Sulkhhanishvili, technical director for the Georgian Beer Company, says, "König Pilsner decided to enter into partnership with us primarily thanks to our high demands for quality and our use of ultramodern technical equipment. König also recognized the high growth potential the Georgian beer market holds."
The pro capita consumption of beer in Georgia currently lies at 25 liters a year. By 2020 Chocheli is reckoning on this rising to 40 liters and in the medium to long term even believes an annual consumption per head of 60 liters to be feasible. Chocheli says, "With this we'd be at the level of consumption Georgia enjoyed before the fall of the Soviet Union."
The Georgian Beer Company is also active in the soft drinks segment, selling five soda pops in the flavors pear, lemon, grape, tarragon and cream soda, some of which are available in a low-calorie version. It also recently launched the first energy drink to be made in Georgia to market: Wilder.
