KILIKA beer is truly considered one of the most beloved beers in Armenia for several generations. This famous beer under the KILIKA trademark is produced by the Yerevan beer factory, which was founded in 1952 in one of the central sub-districts of the capital city Yerevan, having in front of its building a magical view of the sacred biblical Mount Ararat. The initial annual production capacity of the factory was 500,000 dal. Since then, the factory has been equipped with modern equipment and gradually increased production capacities.

The older generation of Yerevan residents well remember one of the most beloved party feasts in “Soviet years”, when they got the “purest unfiltered” beer (so called “chanie garejur”) in 3 litter cans or other containers directly from the factory, bought appropriate tasty fish and other snacks and tripled cheerful parties. Since that time, the company has won the hearts of consumers due to the high quality of its products. And most importantly - the company not only retained its good name but also multiplied it becoming very popular in other countries as well.

Qualified specialists, high quality materials and modern equipment are not sufficient to make a good quality beer. Beer production has different peculiarities, which make it unique. It requires a great dedication from manufacturer. They say, in order to achieve desired result, you should put your heart and your soul into it. And perhaps, in this sense brewing is much more title than profession.

Armenian brewers have kept the beer-making secrets of their ancestors. In Armenian Kingdom brewing began around 7-th century B.C. In Ancient Armenia beer was much stronger than even the strongest sort of modern beer. The earliest mention about Armenian beer can be found in the book ANABASIS (5-th century B.C.) of Greek writer and historiographer Xenophon. In this book he describes in detail this beverage made of barley: “There were stores within of wheat and barley and wind made from barley in great big bowls; the grains of barley malt lay floating in the beverage up to the lip of the vessel, and reeds lay in them, some longer, some shorter, without joints; when you were thirsty you must take one of these into your mouth and suck. When Greeks asked what the name of the country was, they were told that it was called Armenia”.        

Since 1997 the product of the BEER OF YEREVAN factory has been launched under the brand KILIKIA and now it is considered to be the most popular beer in Armenia. The slogan of the company is: “Create a product which is the best among the rest”.

Currently the BEER OF YEREVAN company produces 12 types of beer. KILIKIA beer, which is produced in strict compliance with the centurial traditions of Armenian beer, by modern technologies and made from high quality substances, has numerous times established its high class in many international exhibitions by acquiring 30 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze medals and 3 GRAND PRIX prizes and by being awarded plenty of certificates.

In 1998 and 2003, the company has been awarded the Republic of Armenia Government prize in the field of “Products and Services Quality Area”.

The international organization BID awarded “Beer of Yerevan” CJSC both a GOLDEN STAR in 1999 (Switzerland, Geneva) for producing products complying with the European standards and an honorable award for BEST QAULITY in 2001 (Germany, Frankfurt). 

Technological scheme of KILIKIA brewery /classical/

• Grain (malt) refinement of impurities (stone, iron, dust etc.). Malt is passed through a polishing machine. In order to remove metal impurities, electromagnetic separators are used.
• Weighing and further fragmentation of refined grain. Malt is crushed in a dried or partially humidified form.
• Mash making to provide maximum transition of extractives to water solution.
• Mash filtration to separate solid phase from liquid phase and get the wort.
• Wort boiling with hops. Bitter, aromatic, tanning materials are transferred from hops into the wort.
• Wort cooling in hydrocyclone machine. The purpose is to lower the temperature up to fermentation temperature saturated with oxygen.
• Main fermentation. The chemical composition of the wort is changed and it turns into a delicious flavored drink.
• Maturation of young beer (additional fermentation). The remaining sugar is slowly fermented, beer is clarified and is saturated with carbon dioxide.
• Filtration of matured beer. During the filtration beer loses some part of the carbon dioxide, that’s why before bottling it is carbonated.
• Bottling of filtered beer. Afterbeer carbonization beer is stored at least 6-8 hours in tanks and then is sent to bottling.

Main beer products 

1. 1952 - Lager beer of light golden colour possessing a pleasant slight flavour of malt and hops. It is marked by slight bitterness and a delicate hop aroma. It is made from the best sorts of malt and hops according to classical technology. It is especially meant for light beer fans. It has been produced since 2011.
2. HAYER - Lager beer of light golden color with a pleasant flavor of malt and hops. It is marked by slight bitterness and a delicate hop aroma. It is made from the best sorts of malt and hops according to classical technology and it meant for light beer fans. It has been produced since 2008.
3. KILIKIA - Lager beer of light-golden color possesses a full flavor of malt and hops. It is characterized by its intense hop bitterness and the pleasant hop aroma. It is made from high-quality malt and hops according to classical technology. It has been produced since 2007.
4. KILIKIA 11 - Lager beer of light golden color. It is marked by slight flavor. It is made from the best sorts of malt and hops according to classical technology. It is especially meant for light beer fans. It has been produced since 2004. At international and republican reviews it has been awarded 2 gold medals.
5. KILIKIA YOUTH - Lager beer of light golden color with a pleasant pure flavor of malt and hops. It is distinguished by slight bitterness and a delicate hop aroma. It is made from the best sorts of malt and hops according to classical technology especially for light beer fans. It has been produced since 1999. At international and republican reviews it has been awarded 5 gold and 1 bronze medals.
6. KILIKIA CELEBRATORY - Half-dark beer of dark golden color with a fully distinct malt flavor. It is distinguished by its pleasant bitterness and a distinct hop aroma. It is made from selected caramel malt and hops according to classical technology. It has been produced since 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of the brewery “Beer of Yerevan”. At international and republican reviews it has been awarded 4 gold medals.
7. KILIKIA JUBILEE - Lager beer of amber color with a fully distinct flavor of malt and hops. It is distinguished by pleasant bitterness and a nice hop aroma. It is made from selected sorts of malt and hops according to classical technology. It has been produced since 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of the brewery “Beer of Yerevan”. At international and republican reviews it has been awarded 3 gold and 2 silver medals.
8. KILIKIA ELITAR - Lager beer of golden color, with a fully distinct malt flavor. It is distinguished by its vividly intense hop bitterness and nice hop aroma. It is made from selected sorts of malt and hops according to classical technology. It has been produced since 1999.At international and republican reviews it has been awarded 5 gold medals.
9. KILIKIA DARK - Dark beer of dark caramel color with a fully distinct specific flavor of caramel malt. It is distinguished by slight bitterness and a pleasant hop aroma. It is made from the best sorts of caramel and light malt in combination with selected to classical technology. It has been produced since 2000. At international and republican reviews it has been awarded 2 gold and 1 bronze medals.
10. ZHIGULYOVSKOE - Lager beer of golden color possessing a pleasant pure flavor of malt and hops. It is distinguished by pleasant bitterness and the distinct hop aroma. It is made from the best sorts of malt and hops, meant particularly for this kind of beer, according to special technology. It has been produced since 2003.
11. KILIKIA - Lager beer of light-golden color possesses a full flavor of malt and hops. It is characterized by its intense hop bitterness and the pleasant hop aroma. It is made from high-quality malt and hops according to classical technology. It has been produced since 1999. At international and republican reviews it has been awarded 13 gold, 1 silver and 16 bronze medals.
12. KILIKIA LIGHT - Lager beer of light golden color. It is marked by slight flavor. It is made from the best sorts of malt and hops according to classical technology. It is especially meant for light beer fans. It has been produced since 2012.

Export

Thanks to high quality, modern management and flexible marketing policy, the production of the company has its significant place in local consumption market and is being exported to Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Georgia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, USA and other countries. The quality control over all HAthe stages of the production is implemented in accordance to ISO 22000 and HACCP.      

About the Armenian Kingdom of CILICIA (1080-1375)

The KILIKIA brand name of the BEER OF YEREVAN company, as well as the name of CILICIA sub-district of central Yerevan, where the factory is located, is associated with the name of Armenian Kingdom of CILICIA.

The Armenian Kingdom of CILICIA was an independent principality formed during the High Meddle Ages by Armenian refugees. Formed on the territory of the Armenian Highland, CILICIA existed from 1080 to 1375. Armenians first settled in CILICIA during the reign of TIGRANES THE GREAT (95-55 B.C.). At the beginning of the 11 century there were several principalities in CILICIA, but the largest was the principality founded by Prince Ruben in 1080. Rubenids proclaimed kingdom of CILICIA expanded the possession of principality. LEVON the second became the first king.

The Kingdom of CILICIA carried on a lively trade with many countries such as France, England, Italy, etc. Cilician Armenia thrived economically, with the port of AYAS serving as a center for East to West trade.