Global Drinks Intel: When we last spoke (in December), you told me your definition of success is to “drive profitable growth” for Carlsberg. How do you envisage Grimbergen doing that for the group?Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Carlsberg CEO: In early February, we came out with our new company strategy, ‘Accelerate SAIL’. There are a couple of key vectors - category and geography – in the strategy. Category-wise, we’re very much focused on accelerating our investment in premium, beyond beer and alcohol free.Grimbergen truly lies within premium and serves two purposes for us. As an abbey be
‘We’re building Grimbergen out in new geographies on the success of its established markets’ – Carlsberg CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen speaks exclusively to Global Drinks Intel
Yesterday, Carlsberg’s group CEO, Jacob Aarup-Andersen, was in Belgium to announce a refresh of the group’s abbey beer, Grimbergen. Global Drinks Intel spoke to him shortly after the official event to hear about the brand owner’s plans for ‘1128 by Grimbergen’ and the beer’s position at the premium end of its portfolio.

Olly has been reporting on the beverage industry as a B2B journalist since 2003. He spent 18 years at Just Drinks, 16 of which as managing editor. Since joining Global Drinks Intel in 2022, he's interviewed the CEOs for brand owners including AB InBev, Campari Group, Carlsberg, Heineken and Suntory Global Spirits and has a bulging contacts book from across beverage alcohol worldwide.



