Gambrinus Romania

Gambrinus Romania is one of the most historically significant beers in the Heineken Romania portfolio — its roots stretching back to 1869 when German industrialist Erhard Luther built one of the first beer factories in Bucharest. The Luther brewery quickly became one of the country's most prominent producers, its beer becoming a supplier to the Royal House of Romania. After nationalisation in 1948 the factory was renamed Fabrica Grivița, then in the 1970s the name changed again to Fabrica Gambrinus — named after the legendary patron saint of beer. The Gambrinus brand was brewed following a special recipe inspired by Bavarian traditions. By 1928 the Grivița/Gambrinus brewery accounted for approximately one sixth of Romania's total beer production. After the fall of communism the factory went through a series of privatisations, eventually being acquired by Austrian Breweries in 2001 and then entering the Heineken Romania portfolio through the 2003 Brau Union acquisition. Heineken closed the Bucharest brewery in 2005 as part of its rationalisation of Romanian production. The Gambrinus name was not continued after closure. Note: this is the Romanian Gambrinus — a completely separate brand from the Czech Gambrinus brewed by Pilsner Urquell.