Czech Republic | It was a good decision to make Prague the host of the 5^th edition of the Brewers Forum (21-23 May). No central European city had ever put on a Forum before. Previous Forums were held in Brussels, Antwerp and Madrid, plus one online during the pandemic. The organisers, the Brewers of Europe, an industry body, wanted to show their support for the Czech Association of Breweries and Malt Houses (ČSPS). In 2022, they applied to get Czech beer culture added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.

United Kingdom | The asset sell-off continues at Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC). The latest brewery to be put on the market is the small Ringwood Brewery in southern England, which produces mainly cask ales. CMBC said on 7 June, that by disposing of Ringwood it seeks to simplify its business.

Denmark | Why did Carlsberg send out its trading update that it has found a buyer for its Russian brewery Baltika on Friday, 23 June, in the afternoon? Is it because the news is actually a non-news, which would be ancient news after the weekend?

Germany | Brewers are in a quandary: Shall they hike the deposit on beer bottles and crates in view of rising costs for new ones, even if it means coughing up millions of euros during the transition? Or shall they keep things as they are in order not to rile their consumers?

Belgium | The Belgian Brewers Association said that the EU's proposed regulation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) would force brewers to destroy refillable bottles as part of harmonisation rules. On 31 May it sent a letter to the European Parliament, which must vote on the regulation, to voice its concerns.

Denmark | According to industry rumour, Denmark’s multi-beverage company Royal Unibrew seeks to strengthen its position on the Italian market by localising its production through the acquisition of a brewery in San Giorgio di Nogaro (Udine) currently owned by Birra Castello.

United Kingdom | The Mediterranean lager trend shows no signs of slowing down. Gavin Hattersley, CEO of Molson Coors, proudly reported at the Brewers Forum in Prague that his Madri Excepcional has recently overtaken Stella Artois in UK on-premise sales.

Ireland | Coming into effect in May 2026, Ireland’s new alcohol labelling legislation will be the world’s first to force alcoholic drinks to carry cigarette-style health warnings about cancer and liver disease risks.

United Kingdom | Seems like anyone and everyone is afraid of offending anyone and everyone: A brewery decided to change the name of an award-winning beer, which was inspired by the name of a hare, after racism concerns.

Russia | Russian police busted an illegal plant bottling counterfeit Johnnie Walker as well as other whisky, rum, and cognac brands outside Moscow. Apparently, the booze they found was unsafe to drink.