Will he even hear their call? The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) and the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) are imploring the UK’s Chancellor George Osborne to cut the duty on wine and spirits by 2 percent in his March budget. The “Drop the Duty!” campaign, launched on 15 December 2014, argues that a cut would give a big billion boost to public finances in 2015.

The 11th edition of the European Beer Star was a huge success: 1613 beer samples from 42 countries had been sent in to be evaluated by the jury consisting of 105 international brewing experts – a new record. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2014 during BrauBeviale in Nuremberg.

How does one define craft beer? Is passion the ingredient in craft beer that distinguishes it from all other beers? Where does one draw the line? When does a beer cease to be considered craft beer? How does one convince conventional beer drinkers to try new beer styles? And where will the current trends in the craft beer scene lead?

The 2014 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition awarded 268 medals to some of the best commercial breweries in the United States, plus three GABF Pro-Am medals. Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is one of the largest commercial beer competitions in the world and a symbol of brewing excellence. In its 28th year, the 2014 competition surpassed all previous participation records.

The European Beer and Health Symposium is usually held in Brussels every second or third year, and focuses on the latest research on the relationship between moderate beer consumption and health.

“Can trends in brewing be revolutionary?” This was the motto of the 11th Trends in Brewing symposium held in Ghent, Belgium. Those who know Prof. Guido Aerts from KAHO Sint-Lieven (KU Leuven) in Ghent would say that he doesn’t really fit the stereotypical image of a revolutionary. Nevertheless, he asks critical questions about sensitive issues, for example, efficient processing and sustainable production practices, scientific findings and their practical application in brewing operations.

Granted, for those accustomed to life on a European scale, many facets of the American experience can be overwhelming. But this year’s 31st Craft Brewers Conference (held from April 8th to 11th 2014 in Denver, Colorado) even took the event organizer, the Brewers’ Association (BA), by surprise. According to official press releases, 7000 participants were expected this year. But as the event unfolded, the BA announced that the number of attendees would rise significantly. In the end, around 9500 people flocked to the CBC in order to attend both the presentations, which numbered almost 150 this year, and the BrewExpo America tradeshow.

The global craft beer scene now has a new international forum, which was launched at the beginning of March by the Global Association of Craft Beer Brewers (GACBB). The network consists of founding members from all five continents who want to support small breweries and foster closer ties in the international craft beer community.

The World Beer Cup competition was introduced in 1996 to celebrate the art and science of brewing by recognizing outstanding achievement.

People love to drink beer. Some take this passion even a little bit further. They are willing to defend and promote their local beer culture, with no other motive than their passion for beer. They are neither brewers nor publicans – although many support the cause. They are consumers with no financial gain involved. On a European level, these consumers are organised in the European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU). EBCU is a federation of thirteen independent national beer consumer organisations across Europe.