The Indian-born Ivan Menezes, 53, currently Chief Operating Officer of Diageo, is to succeed Paul Walsh as CEO of the drinks giant behind Smirnoff and Guinness at the beginning of July this year.

On 7 May 2013 Carlsberg reported a 22 percent rise in first-quarter operating profits and a 3 percent rise in revenues as strong beer sales in Asia more than compensated for sluggish European markets.

Is Heineken selling non-core businesses in a desperate attempt to lift this year’s earnings? According to rumour, Heineken will off-load its Finnish business in the coming months. And on 3 May 2013 international media reported that the brewer is also seeking a buyer for its Vrumona soft-drink business in the Netherlands.

The Federation of Rhine-Westphalian Breweries is facing antitrust proceedings by the German authorities. According to Cologne newspapers of 30 April 2013, several of the Federation’s top officials have been involved in illegal price fixing.

It seems to be a common feature of mature beer markets around the world: volumes of craft beer rise while overall beer consumption declines. Same in Ireland. For several years now, beer consumption has gone south. Last year it dropped 1.8 percent on 2011 while the value of the beer market dipped by a similar 1.8 percent or EUR 400 million to EUR 2.45 billion, says Heineken. Per capita beer consumption now stands at about 86 litres, down from 90 litres in 2010.

Now we all know why AB-InBev is so keen on closing the Modelo deal: Corona beer is expected to bring home the bacon as the world’s number one brewer is facing declining volumes in its most important markets.

The cultivation of spring barley is turning out irregularly this year. In Germany, France and Denmark it is decreasing. Only Great Britain has enlarged its acreage. In almost every growing area it was sowed late. Losses of yield are expected.

Given that he stood at the helm of stock market-listed SABMiller, the brewer had to make a personal misfortune public knowledge for fear it might affect its share price negatively: its Chief Executive Graham Mackay has had surgery for a brain tumour. Therefore, he will be replaced by the group’s Chief Operating Officer Alan Clark with immediate effect.

In the carnival-mad city of Cologne revellers usually fall into a deep depression with the onset of Lent. Thanks to the on-going and highly publicised spat between the brothers Heinrich and Johannes Becker for control of the Gaffel brewery it’s now carnival all year round.

Global brewer SABMiller reported on 17 April 2013 that it saw a 7 percent rise in its full year organic revenue (until end March 2013), boosted by strong demand in Africa and a surprisingly resilient demand in Europe.