Germany | Brewers are in a quandary: Shall they hike the deposit on beer bottles and crates in view of rising costs for new ones, even if it means coughing up millions of euros during the transition? Or shall they keep things as they are in order not to rile their consumers?

Belgium | The Belgian Brewers Association said that the EU's proposed regulation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) would force brewers to destroy refillable bottles as part of harmonisation rules. On 31 May it sent a letter to the European Parliament, which must vote on the regulation, to voice its concerns.

Denmark | According to industry rumour, Denmark’s multi-beverage company Royal Unibrew seeks to strengthen its position on the Italian market by localising its production through the acquisition of a brewery in San Giorgio di Nogaro (Udine) currently owned by Birra Castello.

United Kingdom | The Mediterranean lager trend shows no signs of slowing down. Gavin Hattersley, CEO of Molson Coors, proudly reported at the Brewers Forum in Prague that his Madri Excepcional has recently overtaken Stella Artois in UK on-premise sales.

Ireland | Coming into effect in May 2026, Ireland’s new alcohol labelling legislation will be the world’s first to force alcoholic drinks to carry cigarette-style health warnings about cancer and liver disease risks.

United Kingdom | Seems like anyone and everyone is afraid of offending anyone and everyone: A brewery decided to change the name of an award-winning beer, which was inspired by the name of a hare, after racism concerns.

Russia | Russian police busted an illegal plant bottling counterfeit Johnnie Walker as well as other whisky, rum, and cognac brands outside Moscow. Apparently, the booze they found was unsafe to drink.

Germany | Danish brewer Carlsberg agreed to a EUR 50 million (USD 55 million) settlement with German authorities over its alleged involvement in price fixing between 2006 and 2008.

Czech Republic | Czech brewers defied the challenges of the pandemic to produce 20.5 million hl beer in 2022, an increase of 950,000 hl over 2021. Despite the positive trend, 2022 output still fell 1 million hl short of the 2019 volume, the national Brewers Association reported.

Denmark | Carlsberg said on 27 April that the first quarter of the year showed a strong improvement in revenue per hl, covering the significant increase in its cost base.