What kind of tourists visit Greece these days? Misers? Tee-totallers? Although inbound tourism to Greece has been on the rise over the past few years, beer consumption declined to 3.9 million hl in 2013 from 4.5 million hl in 2008 according to data published by the Brewers of Europe. In the past, thirsty tourists proved a boon to the country’s brewers. Not any longer, it seems.

It may only be a temporary victory but it was still extraordinary. The UK government was defeated in a vote in Parliament on the degree of control that parent companies can exercise over pubs. On 18 November 2014 MPs voted 284 to 259 in favour of an amendment, which would allow landlords an independent rent review and give them the right to buy their beer on the open market.

You snooze, you lose. Or “those who are late will be punished by life itself“. Mr Gorbachev’s famous words will be ringing in Heineken’s ears. Heineken is the number three brewer in the Czech Republic, which it entered late, in 2003, when it acquired the Czech brewer Starobrno. In 2007, it bought the then German-owned Krusovice brewery from Radeberger, increasing its market share to 8 percent. But even with the purchase of Drinks Union in 2008, Heineken’s share has languished at around 13 percent. Same with Molson Coors. It acquired Staropramen in 2012 when its then owner, the private equity-controlled brewer StarBev, was sold for USD 3.5 billion. Staropramen, which is the country’s number two brewer, has a market share of 18 percent. SABMiller’s Pilsner Urquell is number one with a market share of 47 percent. Budweiser Budvar ranks fourth at 8 percent.

At the end of the school year 2013/14 those students to become brewers and malters were offered a special highlight: The Nårke Kulturbryggeri from Örebro in Sweden introduced themselves within the framework of the Erasmus+ project “Young European Apprentices’ Special Training”, short “Y.E.A.S.T.”. A 14-days internship is offered to apprentices and a 60-days internship to those who finished their training successfully.

Multinational tax dodging has finally become a top political issue across Europe. The European Commission is probing the terms of tax deals granted by Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Ireland to multinationals, including Apple and Starbucks, media reported in early November 2014.

At the opening ceremony of BrauBeviale in Nuremberg on 11 November 2014 Jim Koch of the Boston Beer Company gave a thoughtprovoking presentation on Samuel Adams. Mr Koch was one of three Bavarian Beer Medal winners and in his key note address he went on to tell the tale of his life as a craft beer pioneer.

An Espresso Stout by a craft brewer would not be worth mentioning were it not for the lesson taught: that craft brewers need to go ahead with various projects and spread the word about the how-to. Because that’s how they can build their brand and make consumers love their beers.

Construction of a Coca-Cola plant in northern Gaza has begun in early November 2014, potentially creating hundreds of jobs for Palestinians. Israel hopes that the new factory can drive economic growth in the strip with an estimated population of 1.8 million people, and decrease terrorism, Israeli media reported.

Phew. Beer enjoys year-on-year sales growth for the third consecutive quarter, the British Beer & Pub Association reported in November 2014.

When Irish eyes are smiling, the old saying goes, everyone is happy and the world is a wonderful place. But what happens to Irish eyes, when they see that the world’s number one drinks company Diageo is willing to trade its Irish whiskey Bushmills for full control of Mexico’s Don Julio tequila brand as was announced on 3 November 2014? Do Irish eyes well up with tears?