Browar Kmicic

Browar Kmicic was a brewery in Częstochowa, Poland, that operated from 1840 until 2004. Its historic buildings stand in the city centre, near the cathedral and the railway station. The brewery was founded in 1840 by the German colonist Lamprecht. In 1899 it was purchased by Warsaw industrialist Karol Szwede, who expanded the malt house, ramp and barrel cellar, increasing employment from 10 to 40 workers and annual production to 20,000 hl. On 25 May 1920 Szwede transformed the firm into Spółka Akcyjna Browaru w Częstochowie (Brewery Joint-Stock Company in Częstochowa), employing about 700 workers. Around 1930 a water tower was added to the buildings. On 10 September 1939 the brewery came under German compulsory administration, and in 1945 under state administration. It was subsequently renamed Pod Zarządem Państwowym Spółka Akcyjna Browaru dawniej K. Szwede w Częstochowie, then Częstochowskie Zakłady Piwowarskie, and later Piwowarsko-Słodownicze Przedsiębiorstwo Państwowe w Częstochowie. From 1950 the former company was converted into a state enterprise, which was liquidated in April 1968 and incorporated into Zabrzańskie Zakłady Piwowarskie in Zabrze. In the 1970s the Kmicic beer was introduced to the market, followed by Bohun in the 1990s. After 1989 the Zabrze enterprise was transformed into a State Treasury company, Browary Górnośląskie w Zabrzu, from which the firm Browar Kmicic, established in February 1999, leased the brewery. In April the brewery and the Browar Kmicic company were purchased by LCC of Łódź. Production ceased at the end of 2004. In subsequent years plans were made to convert the brewery into commercial and entertainment facilities, a gated estate, a hotel and a conference centre, but the owner's financial situation prevented their realisation, and the historic buildings fell into ruin. In 2020 plans were again announced for a housing and commercial complex called Stary Browar Plus, including a hotel and conference centre, but these plans were not realised either. In February 2023 the National Tax Administration in Katowice announced a bailiff's auction of the land under the former brewery. In 2003 the brewery buildings were entered into the register of monuments. After production ended, there were plans to organise a Museum of Technology, Industry and Crafts of the Częstochowa Region in part of the buildings. A monograph on the brewery, Dzieje Spółki Akcyjnej Browaru w Częstochowie (dawniej K. Szwede), was written by Prof. Dariusz Złotkowski.

The brewery was founded in 1840 in Częstochowa by the German colonist Lamprecht. In 1899 it was purchased by Warsaw industrialist Karol Szwede, who expanded the malt house, ramp and barrel cellar, increasing employment from 10 to 40 workers and annual production to 20,000 hl. On 25 May 1920 Szwede transformed the firm into Spółka Akcyjna Browaru w Częstochowie (Brewery Joint-Stock Company in Częstochowa), employing about 700 workers. Around 1930 a water tower was added to the buildings. On 10 September 1939 the brewery came under German compulsory administration, and in 1945 under state administration. It was subsequently renamed Pod Zarządem Państwowym Spółka Akcyjna Browaru dawniej K. Szwede w Częstochowie, then Częstochowskie Zakłady Piwowarskie, and later Piwowarsko-Słodownicze Przedsiębiorstwo Państwowe w Częstochowie. From 1950 the former company was converted into a state enterprise, which was liquidated in April 1968 and incorporated into Zabrzańskie Zakłady Piwowarskie in Zabrze. In the 1970s the Kmicic beer was introduced to the market, followed by Bohun in the 1990s. After 1989 the Zabrze enterprise was transformed into a State Treasury company, Browary Górnośląskie w Zabrzu, from which the firm Browar Kmicic, established in February 1999, leased the brewery. In April the brewery and the Browar Kmicic company were purchased by LCC of Łódź. Production ceased at the end of 2004. In subsequent years plans were made to convert the brewery into commercial and entertainment facilities, a gated estate, a hotel and a conference centre, but the owner's financial situation prevented their realisation, and the historic buildings fell into ruin. In 2020 plans were again announced for a housing and commercial complex called Stary Browar Plus, including a hotel and conference centre, but these plans were not realised either. In February 2023 the National Tax Administration in Katowice announced a bailiff's auction of the land under the former brewery. In 2003 the brewery buildings were entered into the register of monuments. After production ended, there were plans to organise a Museum of Technology, Industry and Crafts of the Częstochowa Region in part of the buildings. A monograph on the brewery, Dzieje Spółki Akcyjnej Browaru w Częstochowie (dawniej K. Szwede), was written by Prof. Dariusz Złotkowski.

• 2023

  In February, National Tax Administration in Katowice announced a bailiff's auction of the land under the former brewery.

• 2020

  Plans announced for Stary Browar Plus housing and commercial complex, including hotel and conference centre.

• 2004

  Production ceased at the end of the year.

• 2003

  Brewery buildings entered into the register of monuments.

• 1999

  In February, firm Browar Kmicic established and leases the brewery; in April, brewery and company purchased by LCC of Łódź.

• 1990

  Bohun beer introduced to the market.

• 1970

  Kmicic beer introduced to the market.

• 1968

  State enterprise liquidated in April and incorporated into Zabrzańskie Zakłady Piwowarskie in Zabrze.

• 1950

  Former company converted into a state enterprise.

• 1945

  Brewery comes under state administration.

• 1939

  On 10 September, brewery comes under German compulsory administration.

• 1930

  Water tower added to the buildings.

• 1920

  On 25 May, transformed into Spółka Akcyjna Browaru w Częstochowie, employing about 700 workers.

• 1899

  Purchased by Warsaw industrialist Karol Szwede; expansion of malt house, ramp and barrel cellar; employment rises from 10 to 40; production reaches 20,000 hl annually.

• 1840

  Brewery founded by German colonist Lamprecht.

Regional brewery brand with a long history in Częstochowa, known for its Kmicic and Bohun beers.

• 1970

  Kmicic beer

• 1990

  Bohun beer

1. 1Browar Kmicic – Wikipedia, wolna encyklopediapl.wikipedia.org
2. 2Former brewery in Częstochowa – Wikidatawikidata.org