Shikhan ranks third in terms of sales among Russian regional beer brands owned by Heineken United Brewery LLC. The drink is produced by one of the largest divisions of the company – the Shikhan plant located in Sterlitamak.
Historical reference. Sterlitamak brewers have been counting their history since 1884, when the merchant Sergei Alexandrovich Dezortsev opened a brewery in the city. But the modern buildings of the enterprise were erected in 1984. The Sterlitamak Beer and Non-Alcoholic Plant was equipped with Czech equipment, the plant’s capacity was designed to produce 720 thousand hectoliters (72 million liters) of beer per year.
Until the 90s of the XX century, the assortment of the plant did not shine with originality: Zhigulevskoye, Barley Ear and other popular brands of beer were produced here. In 1992, the enterprise received a short name – “Shikhan” (Shikhans are four mountain peaks of the Bashkir Cis-Urals – Kushtau, Yuraktau, Toratau and Shakhtau). The plant’s technologists have developed a new recipe for light beer “Shikhan”.
In 2004, the plant was acquired by Heineken. The facility was retooled and by 2007 was producing 2 million hectoliters (200 million liters) of beer annually. Today, the plant’s capacity allows to produce 2,2 million hectoliters per year.
A bright, memorable label was created for Shikhan beer: the Bashkir white-tailed eagle against the backdrop of the Shikhanov Mountains became the brand symbol. After studying the tastes of consumers, the company began producing new beers: since 2009 – “Shihan Zhivogo”, since 2011 – “Shihan Dark”.
Every year in June, the factory holds the Brewer’s Day, when the company opens its doors to beer lovers, and everyone can see how a foamy drink is made.
Brewery “Shikhan” is a sponsor of many sporting events. In 2013, at the expense of the plant, the Tribune sculpture dedicated to the fans of the Salavat Yulaev hockey club was installed in Ufa.
Shihan beer awards:
- “Shikhan light” and “Shikhan strong” – silver medals at the Russian exhibition “Golden Autumn-2007”;
- “Shikhan Light” and “Shikhan Alive” – a gold medal at the exhibition “Golden Autumn-2012”.
Types of beer “Shihan”
“Shikhan light” – light beer with a strength of 4,4%, density – 10,5%.
“Shihan strong” – light beer with a strength of 6,8%, density – 15,4%.
“Shikhan Zhivoe” – unpasteurized light beer with a strength of 4,4%, density – 10,5%.
“Shikhan buckwheat” – light beer with a strength of 4,7%, density – 11,5%.
“Shihan dark” – dark beer (porter) with a strength of 4,9%, density – 11%.
