Britain lost 100 breweries last year, says SIBA

United Kingdom | The number of independent breweries in Britain declined at its fastest rate in 2024, figures from SIBA, released on 21 February, suggest. The UK had 1,715 breweries at the end of 2024, 100 fewer than at the start of the year, according to the data released by industry body SIBA, which represents independent brewing companies. The overall decline in 2023 was just eight.

Heineken sites in DR Congo hit by conflict in the east of the country

The Netherlands | Heineken has said that facilities in two cities have been looted and damaged, after the so-called M23 rebels took over territory that included the cities of Bukavu and Goma in eastern Congo in February. Heineken reported on 28 February that its fully-owned subsidiary Bralima had suspended operations before the fighting reached the cities.

Should French expats be warned against Africa Ti l’Or beer in the CAR?

France | Olivier Cadic, the Senator for French citizens living abroad, is sticking to his guns. Having failed to elicit a satisfactory response a year ago, he put the same question to France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs again. It concerns the health risks faced by their compatriots in the Central African Republic (CAR) in connection with the consumption of a beer called Africa Ti L'Or. Although he did not mention it, it is a known fact that this beer is brewed by a former Wagner subsidiary in the CAR.

Austria | Trouble ahead for Heineken. The ECJ’s milestone ruling confirmed that the Dutch firm can be held liable even if it knew nothing about Brau Union’s alleged abuses of market dominance in Austria. On 11 February, the first public hearing was held at the Vienna Cartel Court. Class actions against Heineken can no longer be ruled out.

Heineken can face Dutch lawsuit over Greek dominance abuse, EU court rules

Luxembourg | Heineken can be sued in its home country over damages allegedly suffered by a rival in Greece, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled on 13 February. The EU’s highest court confirmed that a Dutch court can deal with the claims brought by Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) against both Athenian Brewery and its parent Heineken, arising from market power abuses in Greece between 1998 and 2014.

Athenian Brewery hits almost EUR 500 million in sales in 2024

Greece | Athenian Brewery, whose market dominance abuses from more than 20 years ago could now lead to a hefty fine for its parent Heineken, has reaffirmed yet again that it is among the Heineken Group’s “golden” subsidiaries. Sales rose to nearly EUR 500 million in 2024, the Greek media outlet Protothema reported on 13 February.

Heineken delivers positive outlook for 2025

The Netherlands | With all the turbulences in the past few years, Heineken’s investors were elated that the Dutch brewer expects more growth for this year and said it would launch a EUR 1.5 billion share buyback. This was despite Heineken reporting weaker profit and revenue in fiscal 2024.

AB-InBev sold less beer in 2024 as China weakness persists

Belgium | AB-InBev sold less beer than analysts expected in the fourth quarter 2024, dragged down by lingering weakness in China. Volume sales in China fell 19 percent in the fourth quarter, marking the third consecutive quarter of double-digit declines there. The brewer said on 26 February that its Chinese business underperformed in a soft beer market, as budget-conscious consumers spent less money in bars and restaurants.

Keystone buys ailing beer brands Magic Rock, Fourpure, and North

United Kingdom | Keystone Brewing Group has gone shopping again. In late January it acquired an “exclusive license” from In Good Company Brewing to produce craft beer brands Magic Rock and Fourpure, which were in financial trouble. A few days later, on 6 February, it added Yorkshire’s iconic North Brewing Co. brands from Leeds, as part of its ambition to establish a GBP 100 million (USD 126 million) portfolio. Although it was not explicitly stated, all brands will likely be produced at Keystone’s brewery in Yorkshire.

Jennings Brewery to be reopened

United Kingdom | Wonders never cease. The historic Jennings Brewery, which operated for nearly 200 years before its closure, will start producing beer again this summer under new owners, UK media reported on 5 February. Founded in 1828, the brewery was closed in November 2022 by then-owner Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company, which blamed economic pressures.