Beginning in May, Chernigivske will brewed at Anheuser-Busch’s Newark, New Jersey, factory and be sold on draught in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix. Specific locations will be announced on a special website.
AB InBev said the initiative is “aimed at providing humanitarian relief for those impacted by the crisis in Ukraine.” In addition to the beer’s sales, the company will donate at least $5 million to humanitarian aid organizations, including a nonprofit called CARE Ukraine Crisis Fund.
Chernigivske’s brand celebrates Ukraine’s history, culture, and people, according to a description, and has “subtly fruity notes” and a “moderately bitter finish.” The pale golden lager, which is part of AB InBev’s portfolio, is named after the hard hit Ukrainian city of Chernihiv and has been brewed there since 1988.
The brewer has recently brought the beer to other countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. The initiative is part of broader efforts to support Ukraine, which including donating emergency drinking water and essential supplies to refugee relief areas. AB InBev has about 1,800 employees in the country and it said it has provided “critical assistance” to them.
Last week, AB InBev (BUD) announced it would sell its stake in Russian joint-venture AB InBev Efes which will result in a $1.1 billion impairment charge in its first quarter results.
In March, AB InBev suspended sales of its Budweiser brand in Russia and forfeited financial benefit from its Russian joint venture, following the lead of other major brewers in reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
— Reuters contributed to this report.