As we never tire of saying: Europe does not compare with other markets. That applies both to the on-premise sector and the off-premise sector. In particular the discount channel is evolving into a route to the consumers brewers can only ignore to their peril.

Needless to say, Heineken would not admit that it has failed to turn the struggling WTBS around. Instead Heineken said the sale would allow both it and WTBS to focus on their respective core businesses – with the Dutch brewer continuing to sell main brands such as Kronenbourg 1664, Foster’s, Heineken and Strongbow through WTBS.

The Welsh Assembly (the Welsh parliament), which has the power to make legislation in Wales, said in a statement: “Hospitals are visited by a very broad cross-section of society and, as such, the whole hospital environment should reflect the importance of healthy living.”

Single malts only account for just over 6 percent of 2009’s 94.4 million 12-bottle case scotch market by volume, but the malt industry has grown volumes by 23 percent in the 2005-2009 five-year period compared to 10 percent for the whole industry.

Belgium may deserve praise for being a beer lovers’ paradise. Still, there is no denying that many of its speciality beer breweries have been struggling for years to make ends meet. Their beers, typically consumed in cafés and restaurants, have been hit hard by the number of bars closing down in recent years.

With per capita consumption at around 81 litres and a market size of 114 million hl in 2008, Russia today is the fourth largest beer market in the world by volume after enjoying significant growth in beer sales in the past decade. Although Russia’s beer market is expected to contract between 10 percent and 13 percent this year according to Carlsberg, international premium brands that are locally produced, in particular, have grown in popularity in Russia. Despite this year’s tax-induced decline the international beer category shows signs of continuing expansion in the coming years.

According to a company press statement, SABMiller was the first brewing company in Russia to bring a product to the market which was created especially for women. REDD’s, which was originally developed in South Africa, opened a new subcategory in the Russian market several years ago.

Overall brewhouse yield calculation

Different possibilities how to calculate the brewhouse yield have been discussed for years. Many scientific articles in Germany and abroad pay critically and detailed attention to the numerous opinions and suggestions concerning this calculation. There have been intensive discussions about current OBY (overall brewhouse yield) of late.

In May 2010, Mrs Schörghuber in a rare public statement countered all allegations and announced that she has no plans to take Schörghuber Group public or sell it piecemeal. Instead she announced plans to grow it.

In an effort to stave off a ban on advertising, Europe’s brewers are relying on self-regulation. Whether it helps in the long-run remains to be seen.