Albrau (Zimbru) brewery

In Moldova, historical records dating back to 1402 mention beer being produced in “sladnițe” (malting houses) and “poverne” (brewing houses) managed by monastic establishments.

A royal decree issued by Prince Alexandru Ioan Mavrocordat in 1786 refers to the existence of a brewery in Iasi producing three types of beer: ordinary, double-strength, and Bavarian-style.

The history of ZIMBRU Brewery began in 1845, when the German brewer Johan Zweck applied for permission from the local authorities to establish a brewery producing “ordinary beer as well as a superior-quality beer, similar to those made in the German states, especially the renowned Bavarian beer.”

The brewery founded by Zweck underwent its most significant period of investment in equipment and technology while under the ownership of Nicu Stan, who also gave it the name Zimbru. These improvements resulted in a beer of exceptional quality, widely praised by both brewing experts and the press of the time. Contemporary newspapers noted that “Zimbru beer cannot be distinguished from Pilsen beer.” Thanks to its outstanding quality, Zimbru beer was exported to Turkey, Russia, France and even Austria.

Despite the challenges brought by economic crises and the hardships of wartime, beer continued to be brewed and enjoyed in Iasi. Production capacity was expanded, modern equipment was imported and brewing techniques were continuously refined, making Iasi beer a highly respected and sought-after product.

As the population of Iasi and the demand for beer continued to grow, the original brewery in Pacurari could no longer meet market needs. This led to the construction of a much larger facility, with work on the current Zimbru Brewery beginning in 1973.

In 1991, Zimbru Brewery became a joint-stock company and in 1992 it was privatised.

In 1993, the Onesti brewery in Bacau county was commissioned, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the company’s development.

Substantial investments were then made in the new Onesti brewery. The company’s primary objective became the continuous modernisation of its production lines to improve the quality of its beers.

Today, they continue to invest across every stage of production, upgrading the brewery with state-of-the-art equipment that meets the highest brewing standards and enables us to produce a diverse range of premium-quality beers. These technological improvements have reduced energy consumption and minimised waste, contributing to a lower environmental impact. Equally important to them is the safety and wellbeing of their employees, their ongoing professional development and the recruitment and training of the next generation of brewing professionals.