Belgium | AB-InBev’s CEO Michel Doukeris addressed the Bud Light controversy during the company’s first quarter 2023 earnings call on 5 May. He said it is “too early to have a full view” of the impact of sponsoring an Instagram post by transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

Netherlands | As of 1 April, the Netherlands has expanded its national deposit return system for beverage containers to now include aluminium and steel cans. Eligible cans have a deposit of EUR 0.15 (USD 0.17).

Netherlands | Heineken reported a steeper than expected decline in first-quarter beer sales, with weaker volumes recorded in all regions except the Americas. But it maintained its forecast for profit growth by a mid- to high- single-digit percentage in 2023.

Sweden | Too clever by half, Pernod Ricard was forced to stop exporting its Absolut Vodka to Russia after a backlash in its home country, Sweden. The company had ceased exports in March 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, but had recently resumed them.

Russia | The Dutch brewer has found a buyer for its business in Russia, the company said on 19 April. Heineken is currently expecting an approval from the Russian government.

Italy | Folks at Asahi seem to have a thing about the Gulf of Naples and the island of Capri. Best known for its sublime natural beauty and fashionable Capri pants, Asahi is now promising us a Capri-style beer. From April, Peroni Nastro Azzurro Stile Capri will be launched in Hungary, Italy, Romania, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

France | Danielle Dambach, the mayor of Schiltigheim, announced that the 41st edition of the local Beer Festival will take place from 4 -7 August, but without the “privileged partner” of this event, the Espérance brewery (Heineken).

Denmark | Carlsberg has appointed the current head of services provider ISS as its new chief executive. The Dane Jacob Aarup-Andersen, 45, will replace the Dutchman Cees 't Hart, 65, who said in March that he will retire at the end of September.

Denmark | That was quick. Only hours after Russian media reported on 15 March that Carlsberg will sell its Russian unit, Baltika, to its rival AB-InBev-Efes, Carlsberg in Copenhagen stated that this was not correct.

United Kingdom | The world’s major drinks group, Diageo, has appointed its Chief Operating Officer, Debra Crew, 52, as its new CEO, making her the 10^th woman to lead one of the UK’s top 100 listed companies.