The direct predecessor of the Budweiser Budvar brewery as a national enterprise was the Czech Share Brewery. It was founded in 1895 and its activity directly related to the historical tradition of brewing of beer in České Budějovice which dates back to the 13th century when the town was founded chartered for brewing rights. The Czech Share Brewery produced the first batch of beer on 1st of October 1895. Up to the end of 1896, sales of beer represented 51,100 hectolitres of beer. Today, the annual sale of beer represents a million hectolitres of beer. Despite great growth in the volume of production, the traditional quality and typical flavor of Budweiser Budvar remains the same to this day.