Founded in 1856 in the town of Żywiec, the brewery manufactures pale lager with a 5.5% alcohol volume.

At the beginning of the 1990s a court case was started by the descendants of the original owners, who sued the Polish government demanding $77 million[3] compensation for the nationalisation and the use of the Habsburg family name and coat of arms for marketing purposes.

It is still brewed by means of traditional methods using all-natural ingredients and mountain spring water.

The coat of arms is also represented by the three spruce trees displayed on the bottom of the label and the year 1856 on top underneath the crown.

The Żywiec logo is the most famous mark and brand of beer in Poland and the trademark of the entire brewery.