USA | On 18 December 2024, the Brewers Association –the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers – announced the appointment of Bart Watson to president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the trade association. As the current vice president of strategy and membership and the former chief economist of the Brewers Association, Bart is a well-known and respected voice in the industry.

Brussels | Beer remains a motor for Europe’s economy, but continues to face multiple challenges, ranging from the aftershocks of the Covid pandemic to supply chain turbulence, The Brewers of Europe said at the beginning of December.

Germany | In November 2024, VLB Berlin publishes the 2nd completely updated new Spanish edition of the renowned textbook “Technology Brewing & Malting”, “Tecnología para Cerveceros y Malteros”, by Wolfgang Kunze.

USA | At the end of November 2024, the Brewers Association conducted an internal restructuring of the organization to maximize support to their members, realize greater efficiencies, adapt to rapidly evolving industry dynamics, and set up the association and its incoming CEO for success in 2025.

SIBA launches “Indie Beer” mark amid craft beer confusion

United Kingdom | Surveys show that many consumers are unaware that previously standalone breweries are now owned by the Big Brewers. In an effort to put this right, the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) has launched the “Indie Beer” mark on 22 October.

London | The Maltsters’ Association of Great Britain (MAGB) held their AGM once again in London on 5th November 2024. The MAGB Chairman, Charles Tozer, described how the sector continues to perform strongly on the back of firm trading from both brewers and distillers. He explained further that the sector continues to invest for the future in malting capacity, decarbonisation and by working closely with the barley supply chains to embed improved environmental practices which will meet the longer-term sustainability goals of all parties in the brewing and distilling sectors.

Brussels | As of 20 September 2024, Zorica Borković and Núria Feliu Besora will be co-chairing the EBC sub-committee Microbiology, replacing Mrs Gudrun Vogeser who had been chairing it for the last 15 years.

50 years of international DLG quality tests for beer

Hallmark of quality | For 50 years, international DLG quality tests for beer have been a hallmark of the outstanding quality of beers brewed according to the German Purity Law. This anniversary is a milestone in the history of beer production and evaluation. The test procedure of the DLG (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft or German Agricultural Society) has continuously further developed since its inception and established itself as one of the most eminent institutions for the assessment of beer in Europe.

Providing important added value

New EBC President | The baton was handed over at this year’s EBC Congress in Lille at the end of May 2024. There, Benet Fité took his leave as President of the EBC and Paul Lefebvre, 6th generation owner of the Lefebvre brewery in Quenast, Belgium, took over. This is the first time in a long time that a representative of the medium-sized brewing industry has been at the helm of Europe’s largest institution for the promotion of brewing science. BRAUWELT International spoke to Paul Lefebvre about his plans and ideas for the EBC.