The history

Kopparbergs Bryggeri was established in 1882 in Kopparberg, Sweden. 36 craft brewers joined forces to what today still remains as Kopparbergs Bryggeri. Generations of local families have worked for the brewery and our people will always be one of our keys to success.

We are the pioneer of Sweet Cider and Fruit Cider. We are the inventor of Frozen Fruit Cider.

THE BEGINNING

Kopparbergs Bryggeri was re-established in 1994, when Peter Bronsman and his brother Dan-Anders Bronsman bought the old brewery in the town of Kopparberg, Sweden. 36 regional brewers originally founded it in 1882. Kopparberg is now sold in more than 30 countries and is the world’s best-selling pear cider. Kopparberg is listed in Sweden on the NGM Nordic MTF.

KOPPARBERG TOWN

The founders of Kopparberg Town originally came for its copper reserves. The name directly translates as “Copper Mountain” in English. The towns many traditional red houses are painted with Falu Rödfärg, a color made from copper pigment. In retrospect, it was the local water that turned out to be the main source of wealth. The brewery still stands on the original site where it was built over 130 years ago, while the mining is long gone. Many generations of local families have worked for Kopparberg Brewery and to this day it remains the main employer for the town’s 4,000 people.

INNOVATION

When people thought they liked dry cider we gave them sweet pear cider to love. When people loved sweet pear we introduced fruit cider for them to hanker. When people hankered fruit cider we launched frozen fruit cider for them to discover.

2015 – First Frozen Fruit Cider

Kopparberg launched the world’s first Frozen Fruit Cider.

2014- 20 years celebration

In 1994 the brothers Peter and Dan-Anders Bronsman finally got the keys to the brewery. 2014, 20 years later, the turnover has gone from 0 to 2 400 000 000 SEK.

2013 – Global distribution partner

In June, 2013, Kopparberg Brewery and SABMiller entered a global distribution partnership. SABMiller, which is one of the world’s leading brewers, will distribute Kopparberg Cider where Kopparberg does not have an existing interest. The first SABMiller operation to sign an exclusive local distribution agreement with Kopparberg is Australia.

2013 – Entrepreneur of the year

Peter Bronsman, the brewery owner, is announced as the winner of the prestigious Ernst & Young Swedish Entrepreneur of the Year award. He represented Sweden in the world final held in Monaco on the 8th of June 2013.

2013 – Beer success

Our famous beer Sofiero is Sweden’s most sold beer, at the Swedish liqueur store Systembolaget, for the tenth consecutive year.

2012 – Street cred

Publican’s Morning Advertiser voted Kopparberg Mixed Fruit as UK’s Hottest Alcohol Brand. The award is a comprehensive and accurate review of brand performance within the UK drinks industry. We also got number 11 and 14 on the list with Pear and Strawberry & Lime.

2008 – Government appraisal

Kopparberg Brewery is named the Swedish export business of the year.

2006 – UK takes off

The first batch of Kopparberg lands in the UK. A success story is in the making.

2005 – Irish establishment

Kopparberg begin exporting its now famous cider to Ireland.

2004 – Beer recognition

Kopparberg receives gold and silver medals for Zeunerts Original and Sofiero Original beers in the Beer World Cup in San Diego in 2004.

1997 – First Export

Kopparberg sells its first batch of stock outside of the Swedish borders, as Greece (a Swedish tourist paradise) becomes the brewery’s first export market.

1996 – Sweet, sweet Cider

One of first actions was to brush off the brewery’s sweet cider recipe and reintroduce it to the Swedish people. This resulted in a major push for cider’s popularity all over the country, and a turnover of approximately € 14 000 000 this year.

1995 – The Fire

Everything boded well for Kopparberg. However, disaster then struck when most of the brewery burnt down in a massive fire in 1995. The day after the fire the board of the company sat down and came to the conclusion that the setback would not knock them out of the market, but make them stronger. Instead of closing down they decided that this was when Kopparberg would really start its business.

1993 — 1994 – The re-establishment

A local newspaper told the story about an empty little brewery. It caught the eye of Peter Bronsman as he sat in his Gothenburg office. The article fueled Peter and his brother Dan-Anders’ lifelong ambition to own and run a national champion brewery, so they bought it and hired 12 local people to get things started.

1988 – The precious water

The brewery is taken over by a Swiss company. The new owners were not interested in the brewery’s rich history of beer and cider. They simply wanted the fresh, soft water for export. As a result, the brewery later closed for the second time in its history.

1930 – The first cider

The first cider is produced in Kopparberg, but the country’s yearning for beer sees it becoming the major focus for much of the following 60 years.

1882 – The beginning

36 local brewers join forces to form the first version of Kopparberg Brewery.