Mainburg | On April 3 and 4, the members of MEBAK met in Mainburg at the invitation of Hopsteiner. As part of the supporting program, the participants were informed by Martin Waldinger about the internal breeding program for new hop varieties, especially with regard to the necessary characteristics for consistent quality despite the challenging current environmental conditions. This was followed by a tour of the new propagation of hops. Dr. Christina Schmidt also presented the extensive analytical facilities before Frank Peifer rounded off the tour at the pilot-brewing plant.

Europe | The US announcement of 20% reciprocal tariffs on all EU products will create losers on both sides, across the society and economy. However, it is the addition of Beer to Annex 1 on aluminium derivative products facing a 25% tariff that is particularly concerning to Europe’s ten thousand breweries.

National brewers’ associations found “Independent Brewers of Europe”

Unified interests | This could be the dawn of a new era in European beer culture: Independent breweries across Europe are taking a stand against the large brewing groups dominating the world’s beer market. They are countering the trend of ever blander uniformity in beer flavor on an international scale by consciously committing themselves to diversity and to the perpetuation of regional beer cultures. This is the idea behind the newly founded “Independent Brewers of Europe” (IBE; BRAUWELT International reported in “Independent Brewers of Europe: a new voice for beer culture”), which describes itself as an interest group representing Europe’s independent breweries.

Brussels | The Brewers of Europe have initiated a networking event to celebrate the growing shift towards responsible drinking, brewers' commitment to moderation, and the role of non-alcohol beer in this commitment. The event will take place on Wednesday, 9 April, from 18:30 CET at The Brewers of Europe House, Rue Caroly 23, 1050 Brussels.

Europe | Since 2010, harmful drinking and global alcohol-attributable mortality rates have been plummeting, by 20% according to data from the World Health Organisation’s Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health, released at the end of last year. A closer look at the European Union numbers shows similar declines, even if this varies from country to country.

Brussels | The Brewers of Europe welcome the European Commission’s announcement from 19 February of a renewed Vision for Agriculture and Food, particularly its commitment to competitiveness, fostering innovation and sustainability, and supporting essential operators in the agri-food chain.

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.