Wide range of topics | Due to the imponderables concerning the organising and hosting of the EBC congress, a decision was reached jointly between The Brewers of Europe and the EBC to organise the next EBC congress, together with an edition of the Brewers Forum, from 29 May to 2 June 2022, at IFEMA / Madrid. The call for abstracts for both poster and oral presentations for the 38th EBC is now open.

Sponsorship | More than 30 companies from across the globe have confirmed sponsorship support for the 2021 International Brewing and Cider Awards. The competition, which dates back to 1886, has a long history of championing, on a not-for-profit “by industry for industry” basis, the world’s best brewers and cider-makers, and companies from across the globe have been keen to align their brands to the Awards.

What’s new | The European Beer Star (EBS) has become one of the foremost international beer competitions within the two decades of its existence. BRAUWELT International has been a proud partner of the “global family” surrounding the competition since the very beginning and presents the new developments in the following article. Author Kilian Kittl, EBS Director, talks about what’s new, including new beer categories, the new logistics partner, moving to the new premises and launching the European Beer Star online shop.

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.