-
Home
-
International Report
- Europe/Russia
Europe/Russia
The good news first: Belgian brewers sold more beer in 2014. The volume growth in 2014, although not spectacular, could run into several thousands of hl, the Belgian magazine Trends reported on 28 January 2014. The increase in volumes should not be surprising at first sight because 2013 was a bad year, with a very long and cold winter and spring. On the other hand the summer months of July and August 2014 were very wet and often cold.
Europe/Russia
A silver lining? A decade of decline in UK beer sales has come to an end, with a 1.3 percent rise in UK beer sales in 2014, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) announced on 30 January 2015. Beer sales in pubs have begun to stabilise, showing a small decline of 0.8 percent in 2014, but this was the smallest decline in sales since 1996. Off-premise sales grew by 3.5 percent, matching the growth of last year, and taking off-licence and supermarket sales above on-premise sales, for the first time on record.
Europe/Russia
Shrewd move. The world’s number two brewer SABMiller has appointed Trevor Manuel, 58, as an independent non-executive director with effect from 1 March this year.
Europe/Russia
And we thought the sun would always shine on China beer (metaphorically speaking). But see what a spell of bad weather can do to a brewer that has a national market share of approximately 24 percent and operates 95 breweries across the country.
Europe/Russia
Globally, Guinness’ net sales declined 4 percent in the six months to December 2014, driven by a weaker performance in Nigeria, Indonesia and Britain, and the drinks company’s suppliers are going to feel the heat. Diageo, which owns Guinness beer has around 200 Irish suppliers, is extending its standard repayment term to 90 days from 60 days, Irish media reported on 30 January 2015.
Europe/Russia
If brewers can add spirits to their beers – think Desperados – so can cider manufacturers. Now there are spirit ciders – or “spiders” – to grab the attention of trend-conscious younger consumers. This burgeoning “spider” category has a new entrant in the form of Magners with Irish whiskey.
Europe/Russia
After a preliminary review, the German Brewers Association reported on 12 January 2015 that beer sales in 2015 were slightly up on the previous year. The rise in sales was triggered by the stable consumer climate, a relatively short winter and the good weather in spring and early summer, especially during the Football World Cup. The German Brewers Association estimates that per capita beer consumption in 2014 (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer) rose to 107 litres, the first increase in many years. Considering that 2014 also saw a beer price increase, the result is even more impressive. Now German brewers worry that 2015 may prove tough going.
Europe/Russia
What a screamer: Icelandic microbrewery Stedji has produced a beer in time for the country’s mid-winter festival, Thorri (23 January until 22 February 2015) which has the world up in arms. Stedji’s Hvalur 2 beer (hvalur = whale) is made with the testicles of fin whales that were smoked in a “traditional way” with dried sheep dung. What makes the beer so political is the fact that fin whales are classified as endangered on the conservation Red List.
Europe/Russia
Since the end of November 2014 Carlsberg has seen 15 percent of its market capitalisation wiped out. On 12 January 2015 it was valued at DKK 74 billion (EUR 9.94 billion/USD 11.7 billion). Some analysts estimate Carlsberg’s value could decline by another 10 percent this year. So far, Carlsberg’s efforts to reassure investors it can weather continued losses in Russia have shown little sign of working.
Europe/Russia
In early January 2015 the pub operator JD Wetherspoon settled a dispute with Heineken that prompted the chain to ban the brewer’s drinks from its 926 pubs in Britain and Ireland. The argument erupted in December after Heineken’s Irish arm refused to supply its eponymous lager and Murphy’s stout to Wetherspoon’s new pub in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin.
Most Read
BRAUWELT on tour
Most Read
BRAUWELT on tour
