Berlin | The Versuchs- und Lehranstalt für Brauerei in Berlin (VLB) e.V. is initiating a significant generational change: After more than two decades of dedicated service as VLB Managing Director, Dr. Josef Fontaine will hand over the position in October 2025. His successor will be Dr. Björn Klotzbücher, who will take up his position at the VLB on 1 July 1 2025.

Warsaw | On Tuesday, 13 May 2025, the Brewers of Europe’s General Assembly elected Mr Christian Weber, CEO of the Karlsberg brewery and current president of the German Brewers’ Association (Deutscher Brauer-Bund), as its new president.

16th International Trends in Brewing: Cutting-edge brewery research

Leuven | From 6–9 April 2025, what was now the 16th International Trends in Brewing symposium, jointly organised by the KU Leuven, TU Berlin, University of Nottingham, Oregon State University, Ghent University and Italian Brewing Research Center, was held at the KU Leuven under the motto of “innovations in products and processes”. Around 300 participants, some of them from very far afield, convened at the historic main university hall of the KU Leuven, which this year is celebrating its 600th anniversary, to attend various lectures, poster sessions and a technical exhibition.

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.