Corona brewed in Germany: what about the Reinheitsgebot?

Germany | It came as a shock to German brewers, when at the beginning of June, AB-InBev obtained an exemption to brew its Mexican label Corona Extra at its Hasseröder brewery for the German market and beyond. It was previously brewed in Belgium.

Molson Coors to exit Ireland – a rumour only?

Ireland | There is a substantiated rumour going around that Heineken Ireland is to take over the portfolio of Molson Coors Ireland, subject to Competition Authority approval.

Austria | The news made screaming headlines: The Federal Competition Authority (BWB) seeks to fine Dutch Heineken and its Austrian subsidiary Brau Union potentially billions of euros for market abuse and violations of the anti-trust ban.

Heineken Austria accused of market power abuses: comment

Austria | This is the first time that Austria’s anti-trust watchdog has investigated a single firm for abuses of market dominance. Like many other countries, Austria has had its fair share of violations of competition law, the most flagrant example of illegal conduct being the creation of a cartel between competitors, which may involve price-fixing and/or market sharing. But never before has the competition authority gone after one firm alone.

Activist investor wants C&C Group to seek a buyer

Ireland | There is more to C&C’s troubles than just a few accounting errors. The US hedge fund Engine Capital is putting pressure on the Irish drinks group to put itself up for sale weeks after its CEO quit.

Belgian brewers saw exports decline 7 percent in 2023

Belgium | Alain de Laet, CEO of Brasserie Huyghe, already hinted at a 7 percent decline in Belgian beer exports in 2023 at the Brewers Forum in Lille (26-30 May). But two weeks later, on 14 June, official data by the Belgian Brewers, an industry body, put the decline even higher, at 7.5 percent.

Nigeria | Diageo is pulling the plug on Nigeria and selling its stake in Guinness Nigeria, joining other multinationals who are exiting or reducing their exposure. The West African nation is facing its worst cost-of-living crisis in decades. The Singapore-based Tolaram Group agreed to buy Diageo’s 58 percent majority stake in stock market-listed Guinness Nigeria for USD 70 million, it was announced on 11 June.

C&C Group CEO quits amid accounting errors

Ireland | What is going on at Irish drinks group C&C, owner of Tennent’s beer and Magners cider? CEO Patrick McMahon stepped down with immediate effect on 7 June, after the company was forced to make retrospective charges totalling EUR 17 million (USD 18 million) to previously reported financial statements. These include a total underlying operating profit adjustment of EUR 5 million and an exceptional charge of EUR 12 million, related to “onerous apple contracts”.

Finland legalises sale of stronger alcoholic drinks in supermarkets

Finland | The Finish parliament has further dismantled its alcohol monopoly: A vote, on 5 June, permits supermarkets to sell fermented alcoholic beverages with up to 8 percent ABV, up from the previous limit of 5.5 percent ABV. The amended law came into effect on 10 June.

Warsteiner brewery’s strategy swing to contract brewing

Germany | Is this the way forward? Warsteiner seeks to expand its contract brewing business this year. It already brews the Polish beer brand Tyskie (Asahi) at its main plant in Warstein and hopes to add some more. Warsteiner which is privately owned by Haus Cramer Group, thus concedes that its brewery is at best utilising 30 percent of its capacity with its core brands.