Small brewers find market niche in flavored beers

On the market dominated by big concerns, flavored beer accounts for several percent of the total domestic beer production which amounted to 26.8 million hectolitres in 2002. However, the market share of these types of beer is growing every year. "Leading brewers focus on mass production, but small ones operate mainly on local markets and have to distinguish themselves somehow to compete with the giants. Therefore they turn to old technologies, or produce flavored and novel beers," said Andrzej Olkowski president of the Small and Medium Breweries Association (SMiSBP). "Small breweries often produce beer for well-known firms. When we noticed that women add sugar or juice to traditional beer we came up with an appropriate recipe," said Ewa Gryglicka from Jurand brewery. Lemon beer, as well as a dark strong one, are among Jurand's ideas to increase its sale this season. Last year, various flavor modifications resulted in a 14% increase in beer production. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B4) A.Z.