Belgium | The EU’s competition chief Margrethe Vestager has had mixed fortunes getting European courts to side with her in her eight-year crusade against allegedly unfair tax deals, which countries like Belgium, Luxembourg, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands doled out to some of the world’s biggest multinationals. But she prevailed in a case against Belgium.

United Kingdom | The average price of a pint of lager in the pub could increase from GBP 3.88 to more than GBP 4 (USD 5.45) by Christmas. This is because inflation is expected to rise above 4 percent by the end of the year.

Austria | Do consumers know the meaning of “private brewery”? Apparently not. Therefore, ten Austrian brewers have formed an alliance, calling themselves “independent private breweries” and launching a seal which will say “100 percent independent” on labels.

United Kingdom | Amid the most severe labour crunch since the 1970s, bosses at Scotland’s top pubs, hotels and restaurants hope a generation of “silver servers” could be the saviour.

United Kingdom | The artisanal gin maker Bullards has been threatened with legal action by energy drink manufacturer Red Bull because there is a “likelihood of confusion” over brand names – both brand names include the term “bull”, the BBC reported on 18 September 2021.

United Kingdom | Beer and spirits company BrewDog, which was hit by criticism from former employees over its toxic culture earlier this year, has appointed a chairman with a blue-chip reputation. The former Asda boss and City grandee, Allan Leighton, 68, has joined BrewDog as non-executive chairman, in the latest sign that the Scottish craft brewer is moving closer to a public listing on the stock market.

Germany | In the legal procedures following accusations of beer cartel shenanigans, three Kölsch breweries from Cologne and two of their managers were acquitted of allegations of illegal price fixing.

United Kingdom | BrewDog has established its first international joint venture with Japan’s Asahi, as the UK’s largest craft brewer seeks to increase sales ahead of a planned London IPO.

Sweden | An interesting idea – not that it will ever be seriously considered. The economist Jerker Holm suggested that Sweden’s monopolist off-licence retailer, Systembolaget, should adopt a flexible pricing policy: lower the prices of beer, wine and spirits in southern Sweden, but hike them in the northern part of the country.

Germany | More and more consumers in Germany are enjoying a beer without alcohol. The production of non-alcoholic beers has more than doubled since 2007 to about 6.6 million hl in 2020.