meanwhile cultural and economic convergence between the czech republic and the rest of the eu continued to present new oppertunities for imported beers interbrew claimed that a growing number of retailers were coming to appreciate that stocking niche brands such as its staropramenbrand could create a clear point of difference in a crowded market and encour aged consumers to trade up belgium's stella artois was introduced to the czech republic targeting upwardly mobile educated and well-travelled young people some claimed that it was sacrilege but others saw it as normal market development when czech brewers diversified into alcoholic fruit drinks and alco-pops