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!

Society of Hop Research appoints advisory board

The participants of the 81st general meeting, which took place on the 26th March 2007 in the German Hop Museum in Wolnzach, approved unanimously the installation of an international advisory board. This board was constituted on the very next day at the Paulaner Brewery in Munich.