Meeting of experts - 21st Brazil Brau at Sao Paolo

The headquarters of all major breweries operating in South America are located at or near Sao Paolo. Naturally, locating the biggest event of the Latin American brewing sector at the city suggests itself. After having taken place in other cities, last at Rio de Janeiro, the choice of location appears to have drawn many visitors from the nearby breweries.

The Siebel Institute of Technology is offering the Professional Beer Tasting & Styles Course (6 - 7 September 2007) to those involved in the production, distribution, sale and service of beer.

Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo, the maker of Corona Extra beer, announced that it expects export volume growing in the high single digits during the second half of this year.

In July, Coca-Cola FEMSA, the world’s second-largest Coke bottler, announced that Mexico’s antitrust regulator has approved its USD 380 million joint acquisition with Coca-Cola Co. of juice maker Jugos del Valle.

Trust the analysts to have learnt the first rule of tabloid journalism: you only have to repeat an allegation several times and, surprise, surprise, it will come true. The same seems to be happening right now in the U.S., where analysts have argued that a merger between Anheuser-Busch and InBev was inevitable.

Remember Löwenbräu? The famous German imported beer that started to decline once it was brewed in the U.S. Now Foster’s is tempting fate as it entered into an agreement with SABMiller to brew the Foster’s Lager brand in two Miller breweries.

Organic ales, lagers and pilsners are increasingly squeezing their way into retail coolers alongside non-organic beers. With Wal-Mart’s decision to go big time into organic food and Anheuser-Busch’s launch of two organic beers in 2006, “organic” has become mainstream -- and big business.

FEMSA will continue to be the exclusive brewer, distributor, marketer and seller of Heineken beer in Brazil.

Coca-Cola makes its biggest acquisition ever

Coca-Cola Co. said it agreed to acquire Energy Brands Inc., also known as Glaceau, for USD 4.1 billion in cash in a move to boost its presence in the fast-growing “enhanced-water” and energy-drink markets.

SABMiller reported a 10 percent rise in annual earnings for the year to 31 March 2007 but warned over rising commodity prices, especially aluminium beer cans.