Founded in Iisalmi in 1878 as Iisalmen Oluttehdas Osakeyhtiö, the first beer sold in 1880. Merged with Kajaanin Kalja in 1932 as Oluttehdas Oiva; named Olvi in 1952. The Olvi foundation holds the majority since 1955. A. Le Coq (1997), Cēsu alus (1999), Volfas Engelman (2000) and Lidskoe pivo (2008) are its breweries abroad. unverified info