SABMiller’s stigma as a tax dodger does not seem to want to go away. Four years after the UK charity ActionAid exposed the brewer of depriving poor countries of millions in revenues, the Sunday Times newspaper ran a comment on 29 June 2014 with the opening line: “You could be forgiven for thinking SABMiller’s newish boss Alan Clark has a guilty conscience.”

One rival less to use the Budweiser label. AB-InBev has bought the “other” claimant to the Budweiser name, the small Budějovický Měštanský Pivovar located across town from state-owned Budweiser Budvar. AB-InBev confirmed the transaction on 2 July 2014, but did not disclose any terms.

Someone seems to have a vision. From what we at BRAUWELT International have heard, the Dutch private equity vehicle Waterland has set its eyes on buying into privately owned Belgian breweries to establish a group of breweries, much like Duvel Moortgat (Brasserie d’Achouffe, Brouwerij De Koninck, Bernard in the Czech Republic, Ommegang and Boulevard in the U.S.). Waterland reportedly seeks to acquire stakes of at least 50 percent in the breweries.

More than 300 guests attended the annual meeting of German brewers in Berlin on 25 June 2014. Hosted by the German Brewers’ Association, the highlight of the meeting was the appointment of the new “Ambassadors of Beer". This honorary title was awarded to the TV host Sonya Kraus and the leader of the Green Party, Cem Özdemir. They will bear the title for a year.

Coca-Cola’s new stevia-sweetened Coke Life is not out yet, but it’s already courting controversy. Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has announced the launch of Coca-Cola Life in Britain this September. Piloted in Argentina and Chile in 2013, this will be the first time the green-labelled Cola will be available in Europe. Coke’s last brand extension – Coke Zero – arrived in 2006.

SABMiller’s share price has climbed in recent weeks on the rumour that the world’s number one brewer AB-InBev will take it over. Now speculation has been growing that, in order to prevent this from happening, SABMiller, the world’s number two brewer, is planning to merge with the number one drinks company Diageo.

Czech brewers will be pleased. The Czech agriculture minister Marian Jurečka said at the end of June 2014 that he is considering pushing for a cut in the excise duty on beer.

Is it hope over realism that Carlsberg have decided to keep all of their Russian breweries open and running in the face of dwindling capacity utilisations? The beer market in Russia fell by 8 percent in 2013 and 5 percent in the first quarter 2014, media say. In fact, since 2008, beer sales in Russia have declined by 25 percent, hurt by various restrictions on sales and tax hikes, which must have led to many breweries now sitting on huge and costly overcapacities.

It seems that, after the persistent rumour of the past couple of weeks, the question is not “if” but “when”. Analysts confirm there is definitely “smoke” here, which in the lingo of the financial world means that “Cowboys” are facing off with a bunch of “Indians” (the former – cowboys – referring to the big investment banks).

European Beer Star 2013 to Northern France

Passion for beer and the art of brewing – this is the philosophy of the owners of the Castelain Brewery in Bénifontaine, France. In order to boost recognition of their brand on a global level, the brewery entered their beer in the 2013 European Beer Star competition – the only brewery from France to do so. They were quickly rewarded for their efforts with a silver medal in the category Red/Amber Lager. This modern brewery (also see article on p. 166) is planning on participating in the international event this year as well.