Denmark | The loss of the San Miguel licence in the UK to AB-InBev at the end of this year will hit Carlsberg hard. They brand had annual sales of 1.8 million hl and revenues of DKK 1.4 billion (USD 208 million). In actual fact, the San Miguel brand represented more than 50 percent of Carlsberg’s volume sales. Media put Carlsberg’s market share in the UK at 7 percent. With UK beer sales amounting to 45 million hl in 2023, Carlsberg sold some 3.1 million hl.

Khetan exits Carlsberg joint venture for USD 744 million

Denmark | For years, Carlsberg has been at loggerheads with its Nepal/Singapore-based joint venture partner Khetan. There were boardroom brawls amid concerns from its auditor over financial irregularities, including incorrect payments, embezzlement and kickbacks from customers.

Russia blocks sale of AB-InBev stake in joint venture to Efes

Russia | The government commission for the control of foreign investments unexpectedly refused to allow Efes Breweries International to purchase AB-InBev’s stake in their joint venture, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on 6 August.

Russia’s beer sales rise 5 percent in the first half of 2024

Russia | In the first six months of this year, Russian beer sales by value increased by almost 13 percent over the same period last year, according to the Russian newspaper Kommersant on 6 August. Measured in volume, demand went up by almost 5 percent to 45 million hl. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink. With an alcohol content ranging between 0.5 percent and 8.6 percent, beer now accounts for 83 percent of all alcohol sales.

Czech beer market: Certainly not the best of years, but…

Czech Republic | The Czech vision of a pub-based social society is facing the reality of change. The biggest losers in this transition are pubs and restaurants off the beaten track as Czechs drink less beer and drink more of it at home.

Belgium | AB-InBev reported that volume sales in the second quarter fell 0.8 percent, compared with the same quarter last year. They were dragged down by weaker demand in China and the continuing fallout from a boycott of its Bud Light brand in the United States.

Diageo sees first sales decline since the pandemic

United Kingdom | What’s going on? First there was the rumour that Diageo could be a takeover target. And only three weeks later Reuters suggests that Diageo’s CEO should be sacked, although she has only been at the helm for a year.

Trial date set in Diageo black mould court case

United Kingdom | Ten years after a couple first filed a lawsuit against Diageo over claims that the drinks firm’s whisky casks stored at a nearby whisky warehouse were responsible for black mould at their property, a trial date has finally been set for March 2025.

Heineken Ireland to distribute Molson Coors’ brands

Ireland | Heineken Ireland has agreed to take on the Irish rights to distribute Molson Coors’ beer brands, including Madri Excepcional, Carling, Franciscan Well, Molson Canadian, Miller Genuine Draft, Staropramen, Cobra, Blue Moon, Rekorderlig, and Aspall.

German brewers: Soccer championships no longer boost sales

Germany | The hoped-for summer beer sales boost has failed to materialise for German brewers. Despite the European football championship taking place in their own country, beer sales continued to fall in the first half of 2024.