Russia | Brewer Anadolu Efes said that the Russian beer industry showed improvement during 2020, as the covid-19 related restrictions were relatively light during the summer months. But on the pricing side, competition was very high throughout the past year, which actually boosted volume growth.

United Kingdom | The Competition regulator announced on 8 January 2021 that it will probe Diageo’s intended purchase of Chase Distillery.

United Kingdom | Scottish craft brewer BrewDog said that it is in talks with the UK government about using its closed bars as temporary coronavirus vaccination centres. It also said it would give anyone vaccinated at one of its bars a commemorative can of beer.

Czech Republic | As if the first lockdown had not been bad enough for the country’s brewers, the lack of foreign tourists over the summer and a second lockdown in the autumn will prove an unmitigated disaster for everyone.  

Italy | The Campari Group (Cinzano, Aperol, Skyy Vodka), headquartered in Milan with an annual turnover of EUR 1.8 billion (USD 2.2 billion), is one of the world’s largest spirits firms. In early November, the company became the victim of a cyber attack.

United Kingdom | Championing diversity and inclusion is good for business. In November 2020 the world’s number one drinks company Diageo published its most recent ten-year sustainability action plan.

United Kingdom | Both Camden Town’s CEO Adam Keary and founder Jasper Cuppaidge will step down from their roles, as the owner, AB-InBev, seeks to restructure the craft brewer and fully integrate it into the wider group.

Germany | With beer production declining almost 5 percent in the first ten months of 2020, some 380 breweries have asked the taxman to defer their excise payments until the end of this year.

United Kingdom | The advertisement, launched to raise awareness for the brewer’s aspiring status as a carbon-negative company, reads “F*** You CO2”, with the middle of the first word obscured by a can of the brewery’s Punk IPA beer.

Netherlands | Never let a crisis go to waste. Dutch brewing giant Heineken plans to cut personnel costs at its Amsterdam headquarters and regional country offices. An estimated one in five people are to go. Hundreds of jobs will be lost. The reorganisation is to take place in the first quarter of next year.