Italia: Heineken Italia sold more than 5.8 million hectolitres of beer in 2005

Heineken Italia ended 2005 with a gross consolidated turnover of about 1.3 billion euros, producing and selling more than 5.8 million hectolitres of beer. In Italy the Heineken group employs, without distribution lines, 1,073 people, distributed between five bases and boasting of a market share of nearly 33%, according to media reports.

The figures were made known on March 16 in Milan during a presentation of several productive initiatives by the group, in the presence of the managing director of Heineken Italia, Peter Heilbron. In particular, Birra Moretti, one of the Dutch giant's Italian brands, is preparing to release onto the market Moretti Zero, a non-alcoholic beer produced by evaporation of alcohol without changing the normal taste of the drink.

Heineken will put on sale a five litre barrel to recreate at home the taste of a beer on tap in a bar. Also, the Sardinian brand Ichnusa will increase its own range with 'Jennas' a "raw" (non-pasteurized) beer which is 5 % alcohol.

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