Alita (company)

"Putin vodka" redirects here. For the Russian vodka, see Putinka.

Alita is a brewing company based in Alytus, Lithuania, established in 1963.[1]

Alita is one of the largest producers of alcoholic beverages in Lithuania.[2][3] In 2004, when the state monopoly of liquor production in Lithuania was lifted, the company was privatised. In the same year, Alita acquired 95% stake of Lithuanian company Anykščių vynas, the oldest wine producer in Eastern Baltic region.[4][5][6]

Alita produces naturally fermented sparkling grape vines, alcoholic cocktails, ciders, vodka, brandy and concentrated fruit juice and it exports its products around the world.[1] It entered the liquors business in 1995.[7]

In 2000, the distillery released a vodka named Putin Vodka, with a red, white, and blue label, which are the colours of the Russian flag. Sold only in Lithuania at that time, a company spokesperson said that the name had its origin in the tree "putinas"[8] (the Lithuanian name for the genus Viburnum[9]).

The company was the title sponsor of BC Alita, a local basketball club, which consistently competed in the top tier Lithuanian Basketball League for all its existence, in addition to various European tournaments – FIBA Korać Cup, FIBA EuroCup Challenge, and FIBA EuroChallenge.

  1. ^ a b "About us". Alita. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  2. ^ Delfi projektai (13 October 2023). "Netektis: mirė buvęs "Alitos" gamyklos vadovas Juozas Daukšys". Delfi verslas (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  3. ^ ""Alita" turi naują gamybos vadovą". 15min.lt/verslas (in Lithuanian). 12 September 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  4. ^ ""Alita" parduoda "Anykščių vyno" įmonę". Lrytas.lt naujienos (in Lithuanian). 2 March 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Didžiausias "Anykščių vyno" akcininkas ketina pradėti bendrovės pardavimo procesą". 15min.lt/verslas (in Lithuanian). 2 March 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  6. ^ Informacija, Ekonomikos Ir Finansų (8 July 2004). ""Alita" už "Anykščių vyną" sumokės 25,61 mln. litų". Delfi verslas (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  7. ^ ""Alita" pradėjo "Geros starkos" gamybą". Delfi (in Lithuanian). 5 July 2001. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  8. ^ Dapkus, Liudas (15 September 2000). "Distillery launches Putin-brand vodka". ABC News. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Putinas (lot. Viburnum) - visagalis sveikatinantis augalasžiūrėkite video". Sodoexpertai.lt (in Lithuanian). 17 May 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2023.