Ovechkin to Launch His Own Beer Brand, OVI, in Russia

Alexander Ovechkin, a hockey player for the American team the Washington Capitals, has decided to launch his own beer brand, OVI, in Russia. It will be produced by the company “Bochkarev Breweries,” and sales are scheduled to begin by the end of 2026. The lineup will include a standard lager, a lighter version, and non-alcoholic beer.

 

According to the plan, OVI beer will be produced at the facilities of “Bochkarev Breweries.” Sales in Russia are set to begin by the end of 2026. The lineup will include several beer varieties. They plan to offer consumers a classic light lager, a lighter lager with lower alcohol content, and non-alcoholic beer.

The estimated price per can will be about 100 rubles.

What Kind of Beer Does Ovechkin Want?

Alexander Ovechkin himself said that he had long wanted to create his own beer. “I’ve wanted to create my own beer for a long time—one that I myself would enjoy. I like light beers with a clean, balanced taste,” the hockey player said.

Judging by the description of the upcoming lineup, the main focus will indeed be on light beers. In addition to the classic lager, OVI will offer a lighter version with a lower alcohol content. The manufacturer also plans to produce non-alcoholic beer.

Who will produce OVI beer

Production will be handled by the company “Bochkarev Breweries.” It is part of the “Arnest” group, owned by Russian businessman Alexei Sagal. Arnest’s brewing business expanded significantly after the group acquired the Russian assets of the Dutch company Heineken in 2023.

The deal was closed for a symbolic 1 euro. After Heineken exited the Russian market, the assets came under “Arnest’s” control.

What brands does the manufacturer currently produce?

“Bochkarev Breweries” already produces several well-known brands in Russia. Among them are “Bochkarev,” “Okhota,” and “Krusovice.” In terms of production volume, the company ranks third in the Russian beer market.

Now, the OVI brand, associated with Alexander Ovechkin, is set to be added to its product lineup. If the manufacturer’s plans remain unchanged, the first cans of the new beer will go on sale in Russia by the end of 2026. The expected price is about 100 rubles per can. The Russian newspaper “Kommersant” reported on the launch of the new brand.