Carlsberg Group
Carlsberg Group is a Denmark-headquartered global brewer and multi-beverage company operating in 150+ markets with 140+ brands including Carlsberg, Tuborg, 1664, and Somersby, and is PepsiCo's exclusive bottler across 14 markets from 2029.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1847
- HeadquartersCopenhagen, Denmark
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Carlsberg Group does
Carlsberg Group is a Denmark-headquartered, publicly listed global brewer and multi-beverage company (Nasdaq Copenhagen: CARL.A / CARL.B) operating in more than 150 markets with over 37,000 employees and a portfolio of 140+ brands including Carlsberg, Tuborg, 1664, Grimbergen, Somersby, Brooklyn, and Beerlao. The company generates the majority of its revenue from brewing and selling beer and other alcoholic beverages across premium, mainstream, and economy tiers, and since the January 2025 acquisition of Britvic plc it has extended into soft drinks, juices, and mixers in the UK. Carlsberg also serves as PepsiCo's exclusive bottler across 14 markets in Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia from 2029, replacing Coca-Cola as its bottling partner in the Nordics and Baltics.
The company monetizes primarily through one-time product sales via direct sales forces in owned markets, channel partners and distributors in non-owned markets, and on-premise hospitality accounts, with secondary licensing royalty income from partners such as Tilray for US distribution from January 2027. Carlsberg's distribution channels span direct enterprise sales, retailer and hospitality partnerships, state-run depot systems in India, and licensed bottling arrangements. Its technology backbone rests on the Carlsberg Research Laboratory, which has historically produced foundational scientific discoveries (pH scale, yeast purification, barley and hop genome sequencing) and now applies AI and machine learning to recipe design, consumer trend analysis, and supply chain management. Carlsberg is controlled by the Carlsberg Foundation, which holds approximately 30% of share capital, providing long-term ownership stability, and is preparing a Carlsberg India IPO targeting up to $700 million.
Carlsberg Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carlsberg Group
- Legal name
- Carlsberg A/S
- Website
- https://carlsberggroup.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1847
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Carlsberg Group is a Denmark-headquartered global brewer and multi-beverage company operating in 150+ markets with 140+ brands including Carlsberg, Tuborg, 1664, and Somersby, and is PepsiCo's exclusive bottler across 14 markets from 2029.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carlsberg Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Brewing
- NAICS
- Breweries (31212), Breweries (312120), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Alcoholic Beverage Brand Owners & Holding Companies (Multi-category Portfolios) (CRADAIAL), Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD)
Keywords
Where Carlsberg Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Copenhagen
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Carlsberg Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Beer and Alcoholic Beverages: Carlsberg generates primary revenue through brewing and selling beer and other alcoholic beverages across its portfolio of over 140 brands including Carlsberg, Tuborg, 1664, Grimbergen, and regional brands.
- Soft Drinks and Multi-Beverage: Following the Britvic acquisition, Carlsberg now produces and distributes soft drinks, juices, mixers, and licensed beverages including PepsiCo products across multiple markets.
- Licensing and Brand Partnerships: Carlsberg licenses its brands to partners like Tilray for US production and distribution, generating royalty income.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Carlsberg operates across premium, mainstream, and economy beer segments |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Carlsberg Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carlsberg Group is a global brewer producing and selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including beer, cider, and soft drinks across more than 150 markets. The company operates a portfolio of over 140 brands including Carlsberg, Tuborg, 1664, Grimbergen, Somersby, Brooklyn, and Beerlao, and has expanded into soft drinks through its acquisition of Britvic plc and bottling partnerships with PepsiCo.
Product overview
Carlsberg Group is a leading global brewery with an extensive portfolio of beer and other beverage brands operating across more than 150 markets. The company offers a diverse portfolio spanning core beer brands (Carlsberg, Tuborg Green, 1664 Blanc, Grimbergen), ciders (Somersby, Bad Apple, Golden Cap), alcohol-free alternatives (Carlsberg Nordic Gylden Bryg, Birell, Brooklyn Special Effects), regional brands (Beerlao, Feldschlösschen, Birrificio Angelo Poretti, Kasztelan, Alivaria), and acquired premium brands (Brooklyn). The company also expanded into soft drinks through its acquisition of Britvic and serves as a multi-beverage partner for PepsiCo and Coca-Cola in various markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Carlsberg: Core global beer brand, the company's flagship offering established in 1847. Available in markets worldwide.
- Tuborg
- 1664 Blanc
- Somersby
- Brooklyn
- Grimbergen
- Beerlao
- Carlsberg Nordic
Products and services
- Carlsberg The flagship beer brand of Carlsberg Group, established in 1847. The brand includes various variants including Carlsberg Non-alcoholic and Carlsberg Nordic Gylden Bryg.
- 1664 Blanc Premium wheat beer with a delicate taste of citrus fruits and coriander spice. Features subtle aromas and a beautiful haziness, brewed with a French touch.
- Tuborg Green Pilsner beer at 4.6% ABV, one of Carlsberg's flagship international beer brands, particularly strong in Asian markets.
- Grimbergen Abbey-style beer brand featuring Grimbergen Double-Ambrée, with the phoenix as its symbol representing rising from the ashes.
- Somersby Apple Cider Easy drinking apple cider with a unique balanced taste. Pleasant sparkling sweetness with a fruity and sour balance for a refreshing drink.
- Brooklyn Pilsner Refreshing golden lager beer brewed in the style favored by New York's pre-prohibition brewers. Made with German two-row barley malts and German hops.
- Brooklyn Special Effects Alcohol-free hoppy lager with an unexpected piney aroma and pleasantly bitter finish. Dry-hopped with Citra and Amarillo hops.
- Carlsberg Nordic Gylden Bryg Alcohol-free clear pilsner beer with a beautiful crystal clear and golden colour. Well-balanced taste with fresh notes of floral fragrance.
- Birell Alcohol Free Belgian Wit Alcohol-free beer developed specifically to deliver the same body, mouthfeel, foam, and great taste as regular beer. Made from ingredients of natural origin.
- Beerlao Gold
Quantifiable outcome
- 2.8% organic volume growth in Q1 2026, first quarterly growth in over a year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Carlsberg Group
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Carlsberg Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Carlsberg Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- SAI PlatformminorCarlsberg participates in the Regenerating Together Programme (RTP), an industry-wide initiative backed by more than 40 global food and agriculture companies to accelerate practical implementation of regenerative agriculture across global supply chains.
- Varun BeveragesminorStrategic partnership with Varun Beverages for potential beer market entry in select African markets, broadening Carlsberg's portfolio beyond soft drinks through Varun's distribution network.
- PepsiCocoreCarlsberg expanded its strategic partnership with PepsiCo to become exclusive bottler for Denmark, Finland, and Baltic states from January 2029, covering 14 markets total across Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Carlsberg will replace Coca-Cola as bottling partner and end existing Coca-Cola agreements in Denmark and Finland by end of 2028.
- WWF DenmarkminorThird phase (2026-2028) of strategic partnership focusing on restoring degraded wetlands and improving water availability in vulnerable areas across Asia (Nepal, China's Yellow River basin, Laos). Prior phases replenished 1.2 million cubic meters of water in 2025.
- Liverpool Football Clubcore30+ year partnership including 'Signs of Unity' accessibility initiative with British Sign Language interpretation at Anfield Stadium, BSL interpreters at all home matches, and bar staff training at Greene King Sport Pubs.
- PepsiCo (Poppi)minorCarlsberg Britvic produces and distributes PepsiCo's prebiotic soda brand Poppi in the UK through exclusive Tesco listing, with expansion planned later in 2026.
- Tilray BrandscoreExclusive five-year licensing agreement (with automatic five-year renewal) for Tilray to produce, market, sell, and distribute Carlsberg brands including Carlsberg, Carlsberg Elephant, 1664, and Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc across all US channels starting January 1, 2027.
- Britvic plccoreCarlsberg completed acquisition of Britvic plc in January 2025, establishing fully integrated beverage business in the UK. Britvic supplies branded soft drinks, juices, mixers, and licensed beverages including PepsiCo products.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Carlsberg Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Anheuser-Busch InBev: World's largest brewer with brands including Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Corona. Directly competes with Carlsberg globally across mainstream and premium beer segments, particularly in markets like India where both companies hold significant shares.
- Molson Coors Beverage Company: Mid-sized global brewer with Coors, Miller, and Staropramen. Comparable in scale to Carlsberg's non-Brazil operations, with similar exposure to mature markets and brand-led premiumization strategies.
- Kirin Holdings: Japanese brewer with Kirin Ichiban, Budweiser (Australia licensee), and craft acquisitions. Comparable as a multi-region brewer with growing alcohol-free and health-and-wellness beverage initiatives.
- Heineken N.V. Second-largest global brewer with Heineken, Amstel, and Desperados. Competes head-to-head with Carlsberg in Western Europe, Africa, and Asia, and like Carlsberg is pursuing premiumization and alcohol-free expansion.
- Asahi Group Holdings: Japanese brewer with global brands including Asahi Super Dry, Peroni, and Pilsner Urquell. A direct peer given similar premium beer portfolios, multi-market presence, and acquisitions of European beer brands.
Broad incumbents
- Pernod Ricard: Global spirits leader with Jameson, Absolut, and Chivas Regal. Overlaps with Carlsberg in on-premise, India market dynamics, and broader alcoholic beverage retail/wholesale relationships.
- Diageo plc: Global beverage alcohol leader with Guinness, Johnnie Walker, and Tanqueray. Less directly comparable on beer, but competes with Carlsberg in India, on-premise hospitality, and adjacent categories like cider and ready-to-drink.
Regional players
- Royal Unibrew: Nordic multi-beverage company with beer, soft drinks, and energy drinks across Northern and Eastern Europe. Comparable to Carlsberg's multi-beverage strategy following Britvic, especially in the Nordics and Baltics where both operate.
Emerging players
- Boston Beer Company: US craft brewer with Samuel Adams and Truly Hard Seltzer. Comparable on craft/premium positioning and the pivot toward alcohol-free and non-traditional beer-adjacent categories.
- Tilray Brands: Cannabis and beverage company now Carlsberg's exclusive US licensing partner. A peer in cannabis-adjacent beverages and Tilray's existing craft beer portfolio overlaps with Carlsberg's Brooklyn and 1664 positioning in the US market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Carlsberg Group social profiles
Digital presenceCarlsberg Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carlsberg Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Carlsberg Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries9 records
Carlsberg Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carlsberg Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A6 records
Investments7 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carlsberg Group
What does Carlsberg Group do?
Carlsberg Group is a global brewer producing and selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including beer, cider, and soft drinks across more than 150 markets. The company operates a portfolio of over 140 brands including Carlsberg, Tuborg, 1664, Grimbergen, Somersby, Brooklyn, and Beerlao, and has expanded into soft drinks through its acquisition of Britvic plc and bottling partnerships with PepsiCo.
Is Carlsberg Group a public or private company?
Carlsberg Group is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Carlsberg Group founded?
Carlsberg Group was founded in 1847. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Carlsberg Group based?
Carlsberg Group is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Carlsberg Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Beer and Alcoholic Beverages are the primary driver. The others are soft Drinks and Multi-Beverage and licensing and Brand Partnerships.
Who are Carlsberg Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Anheuser-Busch InBev, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Kirin Holdings, Heineken N.V. and Asahi Group Holdings. Broad incumbents are Pernod Ricard and Diageo plc. Royal Unibrew is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Boston Beer Company and Tilray Brands.
Does Carlsberg Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carlsberg Group.
What industry is Carlsberg Group in?
Carlsberg Group's product category is Brewing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAA, Beer Brewing & Brands, with a secondary code of CRADAIAL, Alcoholic Beverage Brand Owners & Holding Companies (Multi-category Portfolios). Its NAICS code is 31212 and its SIC code is 2082.