AB Stumbras is the oldest and largest producer of strong alcoholic drinks in Kaunas, Lithuania.[1][2] The company began operations in 1906. It is also the largest exporter of strong alcoholic beverages and one of the biggest taxpayers in Lithuania. The company's most famous brands include "Lithuanian vodka" (vodka), "999" (bitter), "Gloria" (brandy), "Stumbro Starka" (bitter), "Krupnikas" (liqueur) and "Poema" (liqueur). The company name translates as Wisent.
History
Tsarist Russia
The origins of "Stumbras" lie in an 1894 law on monopolizing alcohol production by state-owned enterprises in the Russian Empire.[3] The law was expected to increase budget revenues and to improve the quality of produced vodka. The government of Kaunas acquired a suitable plot of land in 1903 for a high price of 52,200 Russian rubles. The buildings were finished and production started at the end of 1906. The official name of the company was "Kazionyj Nr.1 vinyj očistnyj sklad" (State wine warehouse No. 1). The city's name was later included in the title. The site included an electric power station, charcoal burner (for filtration purposes), canalisation, evaporation heating, three-dimensional water supply system, six artesian wells, and a rail connection.
German rule
The company was enlarged and modernised several times until 1914. During World War I, Lithuania was occupied by Germany and production of strong alcohol was forbidden. The main building was converted into a public bathhouse.
Brands
Stumbras produces a variety of drinks, including vodka, brandy, bitters and liqueurs.
Awards
- "Prodexpo 2010" (Moscow, Russia) – bitter "999" was named "Prodexpo Star", "Lithuanian vodka" Gold received gold medal award
- "Wine & Spirits WSWA 2010" (Las Vegas, United States) – "Lithuanian vodka" Gold received silver medal award
- "Drinks International Vodka Challenge 2009" (United Kingdom) – "Lithuanian vodka" received silver medal award
- "Prodexpo 2008" (Moscow, Russia) – "Lithuanian vodka" Gold was named "Prodexpo Star"
- In 2007, liqueur "Krupnikas" and bitter "999" were included in the list of Lithuanian Culinary Heritage
- "Prodexpo 2007" (Moscow, Russia) – "Stumbro Šimtmečio" received gold medal award
- "San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2006" (San Francisco, USA) – bitter "999" received double gold medal award, "Lithuanian vodka" Original received gold medal award, "Lithuanian vodka" Gold received gold medal award
- "Beverage Testing Institute 2005" (Chicago, USA) – "Lithuanian vodka" Gold received gold medal award
Stumbras museum
At the end of 2009, the Stumbras museum was opened in Kaunas. In the museum visitors can learn about the history and cultural context of alcohol consumption and production of strong alcoholic beverages in Lithuania, and also the history of the Stumbras factory: the century-old buildings, document archive and photos.
External links
References
- "Starką" saugos nuo falsifikavimo sekunde.lt, 2004-12-16, retrieved 2023-10-13^
- Rūta Balčiūnienė. "Stumbras" atnaujino veidą vz.lt, 2015-09-15, retrieved 2023-10-13^
- KaunoDiena.lt kauno.diena.lt, retrieved 2022-10-26