Brussels | Julia Leferman has officially assumed her role as the new Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, with a bold vision to position beer at the centre of European Union policy. Leferman’s leadership will focus on driving innovation, promoting responsible consumption and enhancing sustainability across the continent.

On 1 August, The International Hop Standards Committee (IHSC) announces the nomination of a new co-chairman, John Paul Maye, who will represent the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC). After serving 14 years as co-chairman, Bob Foster has retired, and the committee would like to thank Bob for all his years of service. John Paul Maye will also continue as Secretary of the IHSC.

The Brewers of Europe | The 2023 Edition of the European Beer Trends Report reveals that beer sales in the European Union rose to 313 million hectolitres in 2022, up from 301 million hl in 2021 and 297 million hl in 2020, although still not yet at the pre-pandemic level of 322 million hl in 2019.

The Brewers of Europe | After MEPs voted for a flawed draft Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) proposal at the end of November 2023, The Brewers of Europe calls on the EU’s Council of Ministers to close the loopholes that weaken the planned rules.

Further education | The World Brewing Academy (WBA) 20-week Master Brewer program and 12-week International Diploma in Brewing Technology program will begin February 12th, 2024, at the Siebel Institute campus in Chicago. With limited seats available for these two advanced-level programs, enrollments are accepted on a first come/first served basis.

International project | BioSupPack has started a new project year in September 2023, aiming to develop packaging solutions based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) derived from beer production residues, and demonstrating a feasible recycling process for these biobased plastics to ensure that resources remain in circulation. Bringing together 17 partners from 8 countries, BioSupPack receives funding from the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI-JU) and Horizon 2020 framework.

Belgium | As the European Parliament set to vote on the EU’s new packaging rules in October 2023, The Brewers of Europe urge MEPs in the Environment committee to back measures that are environmentally friendly, efficient and even-handed.

VLB Berlin | The 13th Ibero-American VLB Symposium VLB took place from 4 to 6 September 2023 in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. With 185 participants from 21 nations, this event once again consolidated its status as one of the most important communication and knowledge platforms for technical for technical executives in the brewing industry in Latin America.

Award | In one of the most important milestones in its history, the IBD intends to proudly become the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers from the 1st of January 2024.