The International Malting and Brewing Symposium 14th Trends in Brewing had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will now take place from 17–20 October 2021. For the first time, the venue is located in the renowned historical centre of Leuven.

Further restrictions | food & drink technology (fdt) Africa, the premier trade fair for the processing, filling, packaging and logistics for Africa’s food and beverage industry, has been cancelled. Suzette Scheepers, CEO of event organisers Messe München South Africa, says the event, which had been scheduled to take place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from November 2–4 this year, will not go ahead this year due to uncertainty in the market and ongoing travel bans and restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anniversary edition | The Brussels Beer Challenge returns for its 10th anniversary edition to the city where it all began: Brussels is famous for its impressive city hall on the Grand Place, its Manneken Pis, its Atomium… and of course for three delicious delicacies: chocolate, fries and – beer.

Positive outlook | Covid-19 had (and still has) a strong influence on our society but it seems that the situation is changing in a positive way. Many countries including Belgium expect to see a further release of Covid-related measures in the coming months. Therefore, it has been decided that the 14th International Trends in Brewing Symposium will take place as a face-to-face event from 17–20 October 2021 in the renowned historical centre of Leuven city.

Strategic marketing | Messe München South Africa, organisers of IFAT Africa, food & drink technology Africa and analytica Lab Africa, have moved to enhance the value adds and strategic marketing for their exhibitors.

Focus on yeast | Every two years, the IWOBY (International Workshop on Brewing Yeasts) organized by the Instituto Andino Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales (IPATEC) from CONICET and Comahue’s National University, and CRELTEC Foundation brings together yeast scientists and advanced brewers from all over the world.

Postponed | The Great American Beer Festival (GABF), one of the largest beer festivals in the US, will skip its public event in 2021 and return in person to celebrate its 40th anniversary October 6-8, 2022 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Despite vaccination efforts and the gradual reopening of the country, the health and safety concerns for large indoor gatherings, like GABF’s 60,000-attendee event, remain.

Rescheduled | The 38th edition of the Craft Brewers Conference® & Brew Expo America® (CBC) presented by the Brewers Association will return to Denver September 9-12, 2021. The premier conference and trade show for the craft brewing industry was originally scheduled to take place in San Diego from 29 March to 1 April 2021,, but has been rescheduled due to the ongoing pandemic. Ann Obenchain, Marketing Director, Brewers Association, Boulder, CO, USA, talks about the event and already shares some information on the programme.

Korean beer exhibition | The Korea International Beer Expo (Kibex) 2021 will be held for three days, 17–19 May 2021, at the Coex centre, Hall C, Seoul, Korea. Kibex is the only beer-specialized exhibition in Korea where attendees can see and experience all the businesses of the beer industry value chain from beer production to distribution, packaging, and consumption in one place. The event is co-hosted by Beer Post, a firm that specialized in beer content, and GMEG, an exhibition professionalized company that has been organizing various beer events in the past.

Beviale Family | Preparations for Craft Beer China are in full swing, bringing together insiders and craft beer lovers at home and abroad, gathering the whole industry chain together to "Create wonderful craft beer in China!" Craft Beer China 2021 will be held at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center from May 12 to 14.