The Brewers Association of Japan (BAJ) has provided a strong endorsement for the principles behind the Assured UK Malt (AUKM) scheme. Toshinori Kunimatsu of the BAJ said: “The Brewers Association of Japan admires the AUKM scheme and its main principles. AUKM provides traceability at each stage of production and assurance for brewers. We believe AUKM provides an excellent example for the international malting industry.”

InBev registered EUR 499 million (USD 680 million) net profit in the second quarter, as increased beer volumes in Latin America, Russia and Asia outweighed lacklustre sales in Europe, the U.S. and Canada.

Drinks giant Diageo said the future of its Guinness beer lies outside its traditional markets of Britain and Ireland.

On a recent visit to Frankfurt, Alan Clark, Managing Director SABMiller Europe, proved that in the SABMiller succession race he is going to be one of the front runners.

You did not want to be in his shoes. At the end of August Heineken’s CEO van Boxmeer had to report a fall in 2007 first half earnings, reflecting a hefty fine levied against the Dutch brewer by the European Union for price fixing.

SABMiller’s Polish subsidiary, Kompania Piwowarska, has agreed to acquire Browar Belgia from the Belgian brewer, Palm Breweries.

Actually, nothing at all. Given the recent load of scandals involving many of the world’s most prestigious cyclists, sponsors have had to think hard whether they want to be associated with dopers on wheels. The Henninger beer brand is setting a long-awaited example by calling it quits.

Looks like some of Russia’s windfall profits from increased crude oil prices have ended up in the pockets of ordinary Russians too. During the first half of this year, the beer market grew by an extraordinary 22.7 percent.

Combining high-speed laser marking technology and 50 watts of laser power in one mobile box, the new ALLTEC LC500 laser marking system from the ALLTEC Laser Business Unit provides best-in-class speeds for higher throughputs and an IP65-rated housing for flexible integration in dirty and wet environments. Flexible system components like an articulated arm and a small marking head also guarantee for easiest integration in tight production lines.

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

If this year will go down in British history as another annus horribilis, you have to blame it on the weather. Unseasonal downpours and flooding in June and July not only made the odd sofa float out through an upstairs window and turned front lawns into lakes, they also made a trip down to the pub near impossible. Following the ban on smoking, many pubs have become no-go areas with their entrances blocked by smokers huddling under patio heaters watching the rain drip into their beers. Those, who are lucky enough to get inside, will be greeted by the odours of stale beer, sweat and drains that used to be camouflaged by cigarettes fumes before. Good grief!