[Croatia] What kind of beer is Karlovačko?

Basic information about Karlovačko

It is often seen in restaurants and bars in Croatia, and is loved as a familiar beer for Croatians. In Europe, it is also reasonably priced and can be enjoyed casually on a daily basis.

The story behind the birth of Karlovačko

Karlovačko is one of the most famous Croatian beer brands, produced at the Karvočka Brewery in the city of Karlovac. Its history dates back to 1854, when Magyar nobleman Baron Nikola Vrančany built a new brewery in Dubovc (now Karlovac).

Historical transition

• 1896-1903
  The brewery came under the ownership of Duro Aschenbrenner, and later, after cooperation with breweries in Zagreb and Graz, was taken over by Wilim Vanbrechtshammer, under whose guidance the brewery was expanded and an artificial ice factory was established.
  
  
• 1962
  As production capacity was increased and modernization proceeded, the company began producing not only beer but also non-alcoholic drinks such as Jupi and Kokta.
  
  
• 1971
  It merged with the Zagreb Brewery and the Dalmatian Brewery to form the "Zagreb Brewery", but in 1977 it became an independent brewery again.
  
  
• 1984
  To celebrate the 130th anniversary, we established "Beer Day" together with the city of Karlovac, an annual event which has since become an important celebration of the local culture and brewery history.
  
  
• 2003
  HEINEKEN acquires the shares and makes the company a wholly owned subsidiary, accelerating international expansion and quality improvement.

Products and Awards

The flagship product, Karlovačko Svijetlo (light lager), won a gold medal at the International Brewing Competition in Munich in 2005 and a gold medal at the Monde Selection in 2023 due to its high quality.

Thus, Karlovačko has a long history and tradition, maintains close ties with the local community and continues to pursue quality and innovation.

The secret behind the Karlovačko label

The Carlováčko label features a design that emphasises the brand's heritage and authenticity.

Feature 1 Founding year "1854"

To highlight its long history, the year the company was founded is engraved on the label.

Feature 2 Red-based colour scheme

The red colour symbolises Croatian tradition and passion, enhancing the beer's strong character and classic appeal.

Feature 3 Classic Fonts

The brand name is written in a classic font, giving it a long history and reliability.

How to enjoy Karlovačko and pair it with food

Suitable temperature

4-6℃ (It is recommended to drink it chilled)

glass

Drinking it in a pilsner glass or mug allows you to enjoy the refreshing taste and bitterness of the beer.

Food that goes well with it

Karlovačko has a simple, easy-to-drink flavor that makes it a perfect match for a wide range of dishes.
The following combinations are especially recommended:

Genre	Specific dishes	Pairing points
Meat dishes	Cevapcici (Croatian sausage), grilled chicken	The savory meat and bitter beer are a perfect match
seafood	Grilled squid, fried fish	The refreshing beer brings out the flavor of the seafood.
cheese	Croatian hard cheese (Pajeski cheese)	A perfect balance between the salty cheese and the refreshing taste of the beer

When you enjoy Karlovačko with a meal in Croatia, it goes perfectly with any dish, especially when served with barbecued or grilled foods.

Karlovačko’s position in Japan

Karlovačko is a popular beer that is widely distributed in Croatia, but is not yet widely seen in Japan, where the beer market is dominated by domestic brands and imported beers from Germany, Belgium, and other countries.

However, if you visit Croatia, we definitely recommend trying Karlovačko with some local cuisine! By experiencing the taste, you can get a deeper feel for Croatian beer culture.

summary

Karlovačko is a lager type beer that represents Croatia's beer culture, and is characterized by its light and easy-to-drink taste. It goes well with a wide range of dishes, and is especially great when paired with meat dishes and BBQ.

If you visit Croatia, be sure to pick up some Karlovačko and enjoy the taste of Croatia!