Alita (company)

Alita is a brewing company based in Alytus, Lithuania, established in 1963.[1]

Alita is one of the largest producers of alcoholic beverages in Lithuania.[2][3] In 2004, when the state monopoly of liquor production in Lithuania was lifted, the company was privatised. In the same year, Alita acquired 95% stake of Lithuanian company Anykščių vynas, the oldest wine producer in Eastern Baltic region.[4][5][6]

Alita produces naturally fermented sparkling grape vines, alcoholic cocktails, ciders, vodka, brandy and concentrated fruit juice and it exports its products around the world.[1] It entered the liquors business in 1995.[7]

In 2000, the distillery released a vodka named Putin Vodka, with a red, white, and blue label, which are the colours of the Russian flag. Sold only in Lithuania at that time, a company spokesperson said that the name had its origin in the tree "putinas"[8] (the Lithuanian name for the genus Viburnum[9]).

The company was the title sponsor of BC Alita, a local basketball club, which consistently competed in the top tier Lithuanian Basketball League for all its existence, in addition to various European tournaments – FIBA Korać Cup, FIBA EuroCup Challenge, and FIBA EuroChallenge.

External links