Belgium | AB-InBev’s performance in the second quarter took a bad hit. Profits were down by a third, while beer sales declined about 17 percent, in line with turnover shrinking 17 percent to USD 10 billion year-on-year.

United Kingdom | Responding to accusations that it has re-labelled old kegs with new best-before-dates, Heineken has said that the unbroached kegs, which had been repatriated during the lockdown, have been kept in optimum conditions and are therefore fit to be redistributed.

Germany | In the first half of 2020, beer sales fell 6.6 percent (or 3 million hl) to around 43 million hl compared with the same period 2019, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reported on 30 July 2020.

Denmark | To boost its share price, Carlsberg has issued preliminary first half 2020 figures, and warned that its profit declined while the outlook for summer beer sales remains uncertain.

Ireland | The maker of Magners cider, C&C Group, has appointed Heineken UK’s Managing Director David Forde, 52, as its new CEO. Mr Forde will join C&C at the latest in early 2021.

United Kingdom | What was the government thinking? It designated the US Independence Day – 4 July – as the moment England ends its 15 week-long hibernation and flocks to the pub.

United Kingdom | Beer and pub operator Marston’s reported a bruising swing to loss in its first half, with sales down GBP 40 million (USD 50 million) due to covid-19.

United Kingdom | Alcopops are back. This time they are called hard seltzers. You can tell the category holds big promises, if the retailer Aldi barges in on the action with its own label, Nordic Wolf.

Germany | Due to the Corona pandemic, an estimated 70,000 pubs and restaurants are on the brink. The new guidelines make it impossible to operate economically and the stimulus package is not adequate, the industry association Dehoga emphasises.

Germany | With beer sales down 13 percent in May over May 2019, German brewers are fearing for the worst. Acting like a Cassandra, Bitburger’s Managing Director Axel Dahm drew a grim picture for beer sales in the on-premise.