Ožujsko

Ožujsko is a golden lager beer with an alcohol content of 5%, brewed in Croatia. It is the flagship brand of Zagrebačka pivovara, the country's largest brewery, and one of the oldest Croatian beers with uninterrupted production.

History

The recipe and brand trace back to the Lobe brewery in Nova Gradiška, founded by Dragutin Lobe, who had moved there from Požega in 1851. The brewery began with around 60 workers and, in 1873, was modernised and became the first steam-powered brewery in Croatia. It opened additional beer depots in Požega, Banja Luka and Zagreb, and at its height it produced up to 8,000 hectolitres a year.

The exact year in which Ožujsko began production at Lobe is not known. The 1892 date on the label refers to the founding of the company that became Zagrebačka pivovara, in which Lobe invested at the start of the 20th century. After Miroslav Lobe, Dragutin's son, died in 1939, the brewery became a branch of that company. It closed in 1943, and its equipment moved to Zagreb; by the mid-20th century little of the original site remained.

The name refers to March, traditionally regarded as the best month for brewing. Modern methods now allow production throughout the year.

Culture

Ožujsko is the best-selling beer in Croatia, with a market share of roughly 40%, and has been the official sponsor of the national football team since 1998, which ties it to the country's sporting identity. It pours a golden colour under a dense white head, with a nose of sweet corn and malt and a fruity finish. It is brewed from barley, yeast, hops and water. It is a familiar presence in bars and gatherings across the country and is often the first name Croatians think of when they mention domestic beer.