THE NATIONAL BREW OF CYPRUS
THE CYPRUS WINE COMPANY
Founded in 1927 as the Cyprus Wine Company, in the district of Limassol, Keo has become a significant industrial player in Cyprus. It has held a dominant position in various sectors including mining, cement, and food production ever since. Although the organisation’s operations for beverage production initially focused on wine production, today it is best known for its beer production.
A SMALL BEER COMPANY IN LIMASSOL
The Keo brewery today offers a history that directly reflects the brewing traditions of the island. These traditions go all the way back to when the brewery was first established in the mid 20th century. Although part of the greater Keo Company, the brewery began as a very small-specialised operation in 1951 when Cyprus was still a British colony.
A RAPID EXPANSION
Keo’s initial success led to the expansion of its operations during the 1930’s. As the Keo operation grew, new distribution hubs appeared across the island. This allowed for cross-island distribution of its numerous products, helping to increase the company’s market share. By the end of the decade, Keo products were being sold in most establishments all over the island. These included most supermarkets and coffee shops, as well as restaurants and tavernas.
THE WAR YEARS
Keo faced several challenges during the war era of the 1940’s. Essential supplies needed to create their various products became limited, and as a British colony, Cyprus was operating a wartime economy. Despite several adverse conditions and limited sales, the organisation managed to adapt and continue to operate, be it in a limited capacity.
THE POST-WAR BOOM
The brewery resumed its pre-war sales during the post-war boom of the 1950’s. With this they identified a new market for local beer and their operators saw an opportunity to expand their operation further. The founders of the Keo brewery wanted to create a unique beer that suited not only the local climate but also the various unique tastes found in every facet of the island’s culinary practices. They did this by only using local ingredients, whenever possible, to produce their beer. Although they originally imported technical expertise and recipes from Czechoslovakia, they went on to develop their own production processes to create quite a unique product. They also promoted new innovative techniques to produce a high-quality product and strived to maintain high-quality control to ensure that the beer maintained its high standards at all times.
NEW BOTTLING LINES
As beer sales surged during the 1960’s all over Cyprus, the brewery’s operations went through a process of rapid expansion. The brewery embarked on a program of modernisation, investing in new equipment, which in turn, improved their production methods. This growth once again increased the beer’s market share across the island, but with Keo Beer now firmly established, the focus began to shift on exports. New bottling lines, to suit European markets, were introduced and distribution networks were expanded across Europe. This led to Keo beer becoming widely known outside of Cyprus.
THE TURKISH INVASION
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and subsequent occupation of the north of the island have had a lasting impact on many aspects of life on the island. The Keo Brewery was no exception, and although located in the south, it still felt the consequences of the conflict. Although the brewery continued its operations in the remaining unoccupied part of the island, its facilities in the north were confiscated. This played a significant role in maintaining the brewery’s economic stability, but over time, like other parts of the greater business, it managed to recover from the negative effects of the conflict.
A GRAND ATTRACTION
The Keo Beer Factory in Limassol is a historical icon that represents the island’s unique brewing craft. It has become somewhat of a visitor attraction and receives several visitors from around the world every year. As the factory’s legacy continues to grow, it holds on to its history that has spanned nearly a century, offering some interesting facts and milestones. The factory today still preserves the original buildings that were first used in 1927.
KEO BREWERY TOUR
