Utenos Cherry beer cocktail

Utenos Cherry (also known as Utenos Kriek or Utenos Vyšnių Skonio) is a popular radler-style beer cocktail from Lithuania. It is characterized by its deep red color and a sweet yet balanced profile that blends traditional lager beer with cherry juice and elderberry extracts. Originally developed to cater to consumers seeking refreshing, fruit-forward alternatives to standard lagers, it has become a staple in the Baltic beverage market.

The brand originates from the Utenos Alus brewery, which was established in 1977 in Utena, Lithuania. The location was specifically chosen for its high-quality water sources, ideal for brewing. Over the decades, the brewery evolved from a state-owned enterprise into a modern production facility through various international partnerships.

Today, the Utenos brand is part of Švyturys-Utenos Alus, the largest beverage company in Lithuania. Since 2008, the company has been entirely owned by the Carlsberg Group, a Danish multinational. While the product maintains its deep Lithuanian roots and is produced locally in Utena, it benefits from the global distribution and quality standards of its parent company, headquartered in Copenhagen.