Practical approach | The 4th VLB Africa Brewing Conference (ABC) will take place in Douala, Cameroon, from 12–14 June 12 2023. The conference is specially tailored to African brewers, dealing with current issues and taking on a practical approach, as is characteristic of VLB conferences.

Hop analysis | In order to test the performance of the analytical methods for hops, the Working Group of Hop Analysis AHA organises collaborative analyses worldwide. The AHA Collaborative Trial portfolio 2023 includes methods of analysis recently published in EBC Analytica, as well as an annual interlaboratory trial for the quantification of hop-derived aroma compounds in (dry-hopped) beer.

DEI | The Brewers of Europe are delighted to announce the launch of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) database, which will serve as a hub for showcasing best practices from European brewers and value chain partners. This database will allow others within the sector to take inspiration and drive further and more effective uptake of DEI practices across the industry.

Perspectives | Europe’s beer sector is optimistic about returning to its pre-pandemic heights in 2023, The Brewers of Europe Secretary General Pierre-Olivier Bergeron said today at the ninth edition of Beer Serves Europe in Brussels on December, 8.

Protection guidance | Europe’s brewers support minimising packaging’s impact on the environment and will now work together with the European Parliament and Member States to ensure a final Regulation that is proportionate, well-targeted, non-discriminatory and coherent.

The Brewers of Europe | At an event at The Brewers of Europe House in Brussels, Ivan Štefanec, Member of the European Parliament and President of the EP Beer Club, hailed delivery against the #EUBeerPledge, the Brewers of Europe’s pioneering commitment to the promotion of responsible beer consumption, through hundreds of activities as a vital step for the sector ahead of expected EU legislative proposals around alcohol labelling.

Joint project | In April 2022, container company Thielmann has joined together with other leading keg supply chain players to form the Steel Keg Association, a marketing-focused non-profit organization that aims to increase the volume of beer and other beverages served from stainless steel kegs. These partners include Blefa, Hillebrand Gori, Micro Matic, MicroStar Logistics, and Schaefer Container Systems.

The Brewers of Europe supports Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the overall stance taken by the European Parliament in its opinion adopted this evening (February 16), advocating a comprehensive approach to cancer that includes prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.

Call for support | As Europe continues to battle the pandemic, it must maintain its support measures for the beer sector, The Brewers of Europe said at the end of December 2021. The call comes as The Brewers of Europe, the voice of more than 12 000 breweries, released its 2021 European Beer Trends Statistics Report, which revealed how overall beer sales had collapsed in the first year of the pandemic.