Who needs to own a brewery to make great beer? Isn’t this so yesterday? Well, within the dynamics of the explosive growth in craft brewing, new demands – yes new concepts emerge to bring products to market. Rapid growth of powerful craft beer brands call for new routes to consumer rather than going the traditional way. The route to market for beer brands outside of their local distribution is complex and often constraint by logistical challenges. Punitive import tax additions, exclusive distribution channels, and, of course, limitation by the production location of your existing brewery.

With the Craft Beer Corner, a steadfast feature of the BrauBeviale in Nuremberg since 2014, and the introduction of the pavilion at this year’s trade fair dedicated to the theme of Equipment for Artisanal Brewing and Craft Beer, the BrauBeviale has placed a great deal of emphasis on this celebrated trend, which is now omnipresent throughout the brewing world. For those whose curiosity about craft beer is still not satiated, VLB Versuchs- und Lehranstalt für Brauerei in Berlin [EV], Germany, also hosts the European MicroBrew Symposium at the BrauBeviale and did so for the fifth consecutive time at the 2016 trade fair. The symposium was held on November 7th in the halls of the NürnbergMesse and is a perfect way to get in the mood for a week at the BrauBeviale.

September 26th to 28th 2016, the Versuchs- und Lehranstalt für Brauerei in Berlin e.V, Germany, held the Ibero-American VLB Symposium for the seventh time. The event took place in Santiago, Chile, and according to the list of participants around 180 travelled to Santiago de Chile to take part. Over the three days of the event, more than 20 lectures were presented covering new developments in every area of beer and beverage production from raw materials to the latest trends in filling and packaging.

From brewing science to beer characterisation, from hop technology to the international craft beer market – the 3rd German Hop Convention was held in Bad Gögging in the Hallertau from October 11th to 13th, 2016. The programme gave an indication of the variety that was emphasised repeatedly in the speech delivered by Dr. Johannes Pichlmaier, HVG: “Hops are as exciting as ever. What we always had wished for, is now coming to pass: German brewers are using hops in their full diversity”, the President of the German Hop Growers Association told an audience of about 150 participants from 15 countries.

Pentair was founded on July 6, 1966, in the U.S. city of St. Paul, Minnesota. Over the next 50 years, the company, which originally manufactured weather balloon, developed into a global and diversified corporation.

Food & drink technology Africa (fdt Africa) is continuing its success story. The most important sector event for the food and beverage industry in Southern Africa took place on September 14th and 15th 2016 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. 86 local and international exhibitors showcased their products, solutions and services on 1250 square meters of exhibition space. The number of participants increased by 40 percent to 1550 – that’s a new record.

The CBB gained more momentum with its move from Beijing to the Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre (SNIEC), strengthening its role as one the most important events for the beverage and liquid food industry sector in Asia. This is evident in the nearly double-digit increase (9 %) in the number of exhibitors, bringing the total to close to 800. In addition, the number of international companies in attendance rose by seven percent over 2014, to a total of 265. The CBB is held every two years. This year’s show was spread over an area of 81 000 m2 (80 000 m2 in 2014) with 53 183 attendees. The visitor numbers reflected a slight increase over those in 2014 which amounted to 52 063.

Over the last decade, a drinks revolution has been felt around the world. Cider has become a global success story, and its popularity and growth show no signs of abating. The roots of this revolution can be traced back to the UK, the world’s largest cider market, home to the world’s largest cider producer and arguably the spiritual home of cider. Once a drink of the agricultural classes, cider became a commercial proposition in the early 20th century and via breweries gained national distribution. It grew to become a significant, if small drinks category. It is little wonder, therefore, that the International Brewing Awards sought to create a platform solely for cider, and to do so in 2013.

In order to achieve uniform, energy-efficient boiling, homogeneity of wort is of utmost importance. This article introduces a new process, making it possible for hands-on brewers to determine homogeneity of wort heating and boiling, based on simple temperature measurements.

Have you ever wanted to explore the wild beers of Belgium? Perhaps it’s a bit challenging attempting to drive the highways or take trains and buses around the byways of the Belgium in search of the breweries still producing authentic lambic? What if you could taste all of them – most of them on tap – at one location with like-minded individuals in an agreeable venue? If this is what you seek, then the Weekend der Spontane Gisting (Weekend of Spontaneous Fermentation), organized by the Opstalse Bierpallieters, fits the bill perfectly.