Big German brewers accused of running a beer cartel
Ho ho – a German beer cartel? At first sight, it cannot have been a very effective cartel, if brewers in Germany fail again and again to drive the price of a crate of beer above EUR 10 (for 10 litres of beer). But then, perhaps it’s a novel kind of cartel, aimed at dropping the average retail price of beer even further?
Whatever the case, German media reported at the end of March 2013 that for more than a year now Germany’s antitrust authorities have been investigating a dozen major brewers, including Carlsberg, AB–InBev, Bitburger, Erdinger and Radeberger, over alleged price fixing.
German brewers Warsteiner and Krombacher confirmed that they are under investigation as did Carlsberg. AB–Inbev and Radeberger refused to comment.
The antitrust authorities would not say how much longer the investigation will draw on. If brewers are found guilty they could face million euro fines, running to three–digit figures.
In a separate proceeding, the antitrust authorities have been investigating several Kölsch brewers in Cologne since December 2011 after a whistle–blower accused them of price fixing. This case is also still pending.
