Ireland | Covid-19 has significantly impacted the drinks industry, as a result of the closure of the hospitality sector. Per capita alcohol consumption declined by 6.6 percent last year.

United Kingdom | From 12 April, restaurants and pubs will be allowed to serve customers again outdoors. They will then be given the go-ahead to offer indoor seating from 17 May, provided they meet specific covid-19 conditions. Restrictions are due to be totally relaxed by 21 June 2021.

United Kingdom | It is hard to believe, but more than 200 new breweries opened in the UK last year, despite the devastating impact of the coronavirus on Britain’s hospitality sector, according to new research by accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young.

United Kingdom | At 2.3 metres in length, North Brewing Company, a brewery from Leeds, delivered the UK’s longest cases of lager on 12 March 2021. The case contained 99 cans with enough beer to fill a bathtub. The longpack of Springwell Pils is ideal for social distancing, the brewery said. It weighs more than 40 kg (88 lb), so it takes two people to deliver it in the company’s van – and probably two more to carry it inside punters’ homes.

United Kingdom | Had it not been for the pandemic, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) would have celebrated its 50^th anniversary with a great number of live events. After all, it has created life-changing experiences for its 180000 members across the country.

The Netherlands | Laurence Debroux’s appointment as Heineken’s Chief Financial Officer in 2014 sent out an important signal: The Dutch brewer was willing to hire an outsider and a woman to this important position. At the time, female CFOs were rare in Dutch multinationals.

Belgium | Belgian media seem to take it for granted that Michel Doukeris, 47, will succeed Carlos Brito, 60, as CEO of AB-InBev before the brewer’s next Annual General Meeting scheduled for 28 April 2021. How can they be so sure?

The Netherlands | Media huffed and puffed over Jean-François van Boxmeer’s high severance payment, which he received from the brewer upon his departure.

Belgium | Is this a new type of loungewear for our Zoom times or even AB-InBev’s new official dress code? Erve Europe, a textile group, signed a multi-year partnership with AB-InBev to launch a branded apparel collection in Europe in May 2021. The deal was brokered by IMG, a global merchandising company.

The Netherlands | In its long-running legal spat with Heineken, Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB), best known for its Vergina beer, scored a victory: The Amsterdam Court of Appeal ruled on 16 February 2021 that MTB can pursue Heineken for damages in relation to anti-competitive practices and market abuse by its Greek subsidiary.