United Kingdom | The UK has now been out of the EU for an entire month. One scenario – miles-long queues at the Channel Tunnel and the port of Dover – has not materialised, but the ripple effects of Brexit have touched many consumers and businesses in the UK.

Denmark | Carlsberg’s 2020 results were affected by the significant impact of the pandemic on the beer market in general, and the on-trade in particular. Volumes sales declined 3.6 percent to 130 million hl, of which 20 million hl were non-beer, the firm said on 5 February 2021.

United Kingdom | The world’s major drinks company, Diageo, reported net sales of GBP 6.9 billion (USD 9.4 billion) in the six months to 31 December 2020, down 4.5 percent over the same period in 2019. According to Diageo, organic growth of 1 percent during the first half was offset by “unfavourable exchange rates”.

Europe | As coronavirus cases spiral and highly contagious variants spread, European governments have prolonged lockdown measures.

United Kingdom | Pubs could be shut for months to come, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a third national shutdown on 6 January 2021.

United Kingdom | Over the course of three nationwide lockdowns and various coronavirus restrictions, Britain lost around 6,000 pubs and licensed premises in 2020. This is nearly three times as many as in 2019, according to the Market Recovery Monitor by consultants CGA and business advisory firm AlixPartners.

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.