Lithuanian beverages have been increasingly noticed and recognised at international competitions in recent years, where thousands of products from all over the world compete. This trend is not accidental – it is driven by consistent work, clear quality principles and the ability to remain competitive in the global market. This is also confirmed by the results of MV GROUP Production – over the past year, the company’s products have won as many as 35 awards at international competitions.

“We participate in international championships every year and always return with dozens of recognitions. For us, this is not just statistics or nice numbers in reports. It is a clear confirmation that we are moving in the right direction, consistently following our strategy and purposefully investing in quality, advanced technologies and a strong, professional team. Such recognition motivates us not only to strive for even higher results, but also to raise standards across the entire market,” says Algirdas Čiburys, CEO of MV GROUP Production.

Dozens of medals and international recognition

In recent years, beverages produced by MV GROUP Production-owned factories – Gubernija, Anykščių vynas, Stumbras and Alita – have been evaluated at well-known and highly authoritative international competitions, including World Beer Awards, International Spirits Challenge, Bartenders Brand Awards and others. In the spirits category, significant recognition was received at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition – the largest spirits competition in the world by number of entries, held in the United States – as well as at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, which is considered the oldest competition of its kind globally and the largest in Europe.

Over the past year, the company’s products won a total of 35 international awards – 3 gold, 25 silver and 5 bronze medals, as well as Master and Country Winner titles. Recognition was awarded to both long-established products and innovative offerings, including non-alcoholic beer and other non-alcoholic beverages, a category where evaluation criteria at international competitions have become increasingly strict in recent years.

The highest number of awards was earned in the spirits category. Lithuanian Vodka Gold was awarded the Master title at international competitions, along with four silver and two bronze medals. Meanwhile, Stumbras Vodka products won a total of eight medals – one gold, six silver and one bronze. Significant international recognition was also given to herbal liqueurs – The Nines Botanical was awarded one gold and four silver medals, while The Nines Aperitif received four silver medals.

MIX cocktails also won four silver medals at international competitions – recognition was given to MIX Sex On The Beach, MIX Margarita, MIX Vodka Wild Berry and MIX Gin & Passion Fruit.

Significant awards were also received by Gubernija products – both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Gubernija non-alcoholic Ekstra lager was awarded gold and silver medals and also received the Country Winner 2025 award. Meanwhile, the Gubernija non-alcoholic Raspberry and Rhubarb flavoured radler was awarded a silver medal, while the kiwi and gooseberry flavoured radler received a bronze medal. In the alcoholic beverages category, Gubernija Brew League IPA won a silver medal.

“Recognition in the non-alcoholic beer category was especially significant this year. Gubernija non-alcoholic Ekstra was evaluated alongside the strongest market players, including the main competitors in Lithuania, which made this award a major motivation for the entire team. It once again confirmed that non-alcoholic products today can compete not only through the idea, but also through taste quality. This is also reflected in other recognitions within this category – the Gubernija non-alcoholic raspberry and rhubarb flavoured radler won a silver medal this year at the Asia Beer Ratings competition,” says Dalia Gruzdzevičiūtė, Head of Brand Management at MV GROUP Production.

These achievements were further complemented by another significant international recognition. In 2025, vodka produced at the Stumbras factory entered the prestigious Drinks International The Millionaires’ Club ranking for the first time, which evaluates the world’s largest and fastest-growing spirits brands.

Balancing traditions and international ambitions

According to Algirdas Čiburys, this year’s results are not the outcome of a single decision or a short-term campaign. First and foremost, they represent consistent attention to quality, which at MV GROUP Production means real decisions in daily production – from carefully selected raw materials to precisely managed technological processes.

“An equally important factor is continuous innovation. The company’s factories boldly combine traditions with modern solutions, experiment with new flavour directions and look for ways to stand out in a highly competitive international environment. This year, the beverages submitted to competitions showed that our bold ideas and high production standards go hand in hand,” he notes.

The team also plays an important role in this process. According to the CEO of MV GROUP Production, every award is the result of specialists’ experience, dedication and a shared goal.

Another significant factor is the ability to maintain the identity of a Lithuanian producer while simultaneously setting increasingly high international requirements. This balance allows the company not only to earn recognition from judges, but also to successfully compete with the world’s strongest producers.

Awards that help stand out among thousands of competitors

According to Dalia Gruzdzevičiūtė, international awards create value not only for the producer, but their impact differs across markets.

“For the producer, a medal is a confirmation of craftsmanship. However, for Lithuanian consumers, it often works when it is clearly explained what that recognition actually means. This proved particularly effective in the non-alcoholic beer category, where international recognition became a driver of growing sales,” says the expert.

Awards work very differently in foreign markets. In markets where choice is extremely wide and competition between brands is intense, international recognitions often become a quick and easily recognisable signal of quality. Consumers in such markets are more likely to choose products that have already been recognised by independent experts, and awards help brands stand out among hundreds or even thousands of alternatives.

For partners, international medals also have tangible value – they act as proof of reliability and an argument when cooperating in highly competitive export markets. “Awards often become the first step – they help you get noticed, while long-term trust is built by the product itself,” concludes the Head of Brand Management at MV GROUP Production.