United Kingdom | The government has said it would close its covid-19 support programme for businesses and employees at the end of October 2020. It would be among the first European countries to do so.

United Kingdom | Guess what, the government’s scheme “Eat out to Help out“ for the ailing hospitality industry has proven more popular than expected. Under the scheme, more than 100 million meals were ordered in August, costing the taxpayer around GBP 520 million (USD 690 million).

United Kingdom | Craft brewer Beavertown hopes that this year’s sales will come in at least flat on last year’s levels. In its 2019/20 financial year, it grew sales nearly 80 percent to around GBP 35 million (USD 47 million), The Telegraph newspaper reports.

United Kingdom | It is a fun story. BrewDog will launch an Aldi-themed ale, after its Twitter spat with the discount supermarket chain – and Aldi will even stock it as of October.

United Kingdom | Craft brewers north of the border fret their futures could be sunk by new tax penalties proposed by the UK government on 22 July 2020. The plan, which has yet to be fleshed out, would see the threshold for tax relief reduced by more than half from 5,000 hl to 2,100 hl in annual beer production.

Belgium | CEO Brito’s critics have won. The world’s major brewer is considering external candidates to replace Mr Brito, 60, who has been its CEO for 16 years and has overseen a string of deals which have transformed two Brazilian and Belgian brewers into the global giant AB-InBev.

United Kingdom | The world’s most valuable alcoholic drinks brands could lose up to USD 33 billion worth of brand value as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, a recent Brand Finance report claims.

United Kingdom | Only after some prodding did the competition authority decide to probe the joint venture between UK brewer and pub operator Marston’s and Carlsberg UK, which was announced in May 2020.

United Kingdom | Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds has become the latest celebrity to cash in on the popularity of premium spirits. The UK drinks group Diageo has bought the gin brand he co-owns, Aviation American, along with three other spirits as part of a USD 610 million transaction, media reported on 17 August 2020.

Italy | Before covid-19 hit, Italy’s brewers were on a roll. 2019 saw beer production increase to 17.5 million hl (+5 percent) over 2018, causing domestic consumption to rise to over 20 million hl (+2.6 percent) and exports go up by 13 percent to over 3.5 million hl, according to AssoBirra, a trade body.