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Europe/Russia
The Netherlands | Who knew that Heineken discreetly invested in the Iranian soft drinks company Castle Noush, partnering with the Solico Group in 2018, the same year the US tightened sanctions? In 2025, the Dutch brewer sold its stake to its partner and completely withdrew from the country after the business sustained losses, the website Follow the Money (FTM) revealed on 11 April.
Europe/Russia
The Netherlands | Heineken has sold its stake in Bralima, its brewing subsidiary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, ending decades of direct ownership in a market where armed conflicts have severely disrupted its business. Bralima was acquired by Mauritius-based ELNA Holdings, which will take over operations, including production, distribution and employees, the Dutch brewer reported on 10 April. Financial details were not disclosed.
Europe/Russia
Germany | The German brewery Oettinger is expanding its international business. To this end, it has established a company in Switzerland. As a result, Oettinger has come under scrutiny by the German tabloid newspaper Bild, alleging potential tax evasion. Oettinger confirms the international expansion but refutes the allegation that it may relocate its domicile.
Europe/Russia
Austria | It’s the question dividing Villach: Should a beer brand, which is no longer brewed locally, be allowed to continue bearing the city’s coat of arms? The story so far: In 2024, Heineken Austria, the owner of Villacher brewery (founded in 1858) in Carinthia, southern Austria, announced it would close down the 320,000 hl brewery and replace it with a “city brewery” – a cute term for what is basically a 7,000 hl microbrewery.
Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | The announcement on 30 March, that the rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West), known for his numerous antisemitic outbursts, would top the bill at London’s Wireless Festival in July caused such an outcry that PepsiCo and Diageo withdrew their sponsorship and the UK Home Office denied him entry on the grounds that his “presence would not be conducive to the public good”.
Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | The German discount retailer Lidl is about to open its first ever pub in a Belfast suburb. The decision is not necessarily due to the supermarket chain seeking to diversify into the hospitality industry. Rather, it is a way of exploiting a legal loophole to bypass Northern Ireland’s draconian and maddening licensing laws, media reported on 9 April.
Europe/Russia
France | A prospective tie-up between France's Pernod Ricard and America’s Brown-Forman will test whether the families behind the two drinks groups can unite in a slowing global drinks market, while maintaining their respective influences. The companies announced their intent on 26 March but gave no financial details and said there was no certainty a transaction would result.
Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | UK brewers bet big on Mediterranean lagers. After Moretti, Madri and a host of others, Carlsberg Britvic is the latest to launch one. The rollout of its Greek-style beer Mythos began on 18 March and will include more than 1,400 Tesco Express stores and over 600 Tesco large format outlets, as well as Booker sites. The introduction into the wider grocery, convenience and impulse channels is planned for September 2026.
Europe/Russia
Austria | The competition watchdog, BWB, is increasing its pressure on Brau Union, Heineken’s local subsidiary. In the ongoing proceedings at Vienna’s Cartel Court over Brau Union’s alleged market power abuses, BWB called yet another distributor to witness on 16 March. The unnamed representative from the distributor Getränkewelt described how, in his view, the brewer has leaned more heavily on its logistics partners over the years. “Brau Union's goal was to wipe us out,” he said. “They wanted to get rid of us because we were the market leader in East Tyrol.”
Europe/Russia
United Kingdom | Irish drinks company C&C (Magners cider, Tennent’s Lager) has taken full ownership of the Glasgow craft brewery Drygate, the only microbrewery operating in Glasgow’s historical centre. The acquisition became known on 15 March. Earlier this month, C&C bought Innis & Gunn out of administration.
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BRAUWELT on tour
Most Read
BRAUWELT on tour
