Wallala weiala weia

Funny dialect that is. But not if you are one of Richard Wag-ner’s Rhine maidens by the name of Woglinde, Wellgunde, Floßhilde who feature prominently in his opera "Rhinegold". At the bottom of the Rhine, that’s where you sing like that. Düsseldorf’s own Rhine maidens will be singing on the
Rhine too on 30 June when the first dance event, blue parade® (www.blueparade.de), is launched. From Düsseldorf to Cologne and back, 4,000 techno fans will be hotting up and chilling out on three industrial barges converted to blue boats, the flagship barge being a converted car transporter. After the eight hour long Rhine cruise, the party will continue into the morning in one of Düsseldorf’s most popular clubs. Tickets are US$15 each. Wallala weiala weia..

Parliament okays compulsory deposit on cans

The German Bundesrat, one of the houses of Parliament, has voted in favour of introducing a compulsory deposit on beverage cans from 2002. In order to bring up the quota of returnable beverage containers to 72% from its current low rate of 62%, there shall be a DM0.5 (US$0.2) deposit charge per can. It is hoped that a compulsory deposit on cans will help reduce Germany’s garbage load and protect small and medium-sized breweries and beverage companies that are unable to afford a can filler. The German Bundesrat, the other house of Parliament, will take a vote on this issue on 22 June.

Brau Union takes over the Steyr Brewery

Brau Union Österreich AG, Linz is taking over Bürgerliche Brauerei Steyr GmbH. The aim is to further strengthen the company’s core business, and improve utilisation of distribution channels, says a press release. Both parties have agreed to keep the purchase price confidential. The sales volume of Brauerei Steyr Getränke GmbH totals 100,000 hl per annum, with a workforce of 55. Brauerei Steyr Getränke GmbH had already been allied to Brau Union in the past. The company will continue to be run as an autonomous enterprise.

The German paradox

And you thought that only the Gaul vintners with their French Paradox could gall a brewer. Actually, their neighbours across the Rhine don’t find that a difficult task either. Sadly, in this case it’s brewers who are dipping their pen in gall. Why? It’s called the German paradox. For years, Danstar Ferment AG, a subsidiary of Lallemand, has been engaged in researching and developing a yeast rich in zinc for the German market. Not necessarily for the German market alone, but for a start. Should readers start to wonder: "Hang on, can this be in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot?", be assured that this was the idea: to develop a live yeast with organically metabolised zinc whose nutrients could be metabolised by the brewer’s yeast in the course of fermentation. But not in Germany...

Focus on new plants: Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle cvba, Belgium:A new valve control and indication unit in operation

The long established Trappisten Brewery in Westmalle, Belgium, were keen to install the new "ThinkTop"® control and indication unit into their

Focus on new plants: Pivovorna Union LjubljanaHigh-tech in the syrup room

In preparation of Slovenia’s membership in the European Union, the most modern syrup room technology was implemented in the heart of southern Europe:

Brewery Lasko and Tuchenhagen Brewery Systems: strong partners since 1979

The Brewery Lasko AG is located in Slovenia which borders on Austria, Italy, Hungia and Croatia. Before 1991, Slovenia was the northern-most republic of former Yugoslavia.

Focus on new plants: Bischofshof Brewery, Regensburg New yeast propagation improves fermentation process and beer clarification

Regular propagation of fresh yeast together with an adequate oxygen supply is now regarded as the most important prerequisite for an active yeast of high fermentative ability, with all the positive effects this has on beer quality and the production process. Christian Gresser of Regensburg has now planned and built a propagation plant in a two-tank configuration having a gross tank volume of 162 hl, installed in Bischofshof Brewery in Regensburg/Germany. All yeast for the production of bottom-fermented beer can be produced in the two propagation tanks running in parallel; pitching is normally carried out only with freshly propagated yeast.

A special aeration nozzle built into the conical tip periodically aerates the cylindroconical tank which has no fixed internals (Fig.
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The City, the pubs and women The revolution of the British leisure industry

Honestly, we are innocent. We did not know a thing. That Danone sold Kronenbourg after we had published our 1999 European beer report - pure coincidence. That Whitbread’s and Bass’s beer interests came up for sale after our UK beer report was out - another coincidence. You think that’s too many coincidences? Come to think of it, you may be right. Before Bass, S&N and Whitbread change beyond recognition, let’s stop the wheel of the UK’s pub industry roulette for a moment.

What a year it was that was. Who would have thought that the bedrock names of British brewing, as we have known them for, indeed, centuries, would disappear from the face of the earth in the course of a few months? If the Iron Lady had known the consequences of her deeds ... Or perhaps not......
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Disposal completed

Scottish & Newcastle announced its much heralded sale of its Center Parcs holiday business for £670 million. As expected, the buyer is a grouping including French holiday company Pierre & Vacances and financier DB Capital Partners. The deal will be completed before the end of this calendar year.