The art of aging gracefully

Europe/Russia

Reorganisation at Heineken’s Amsterdam HQ will affect about 400 jobs

The Netherlands | Polish employees at Heineken’s Krakow shared services centre are not alone in worrying about their jobs. On 14 October, the Dutch brewer announced a reorganisation at its Amsterdam headquarters, which will affect approximately 400 jobs. Starting in 2026, the changes are part of “broader initiatives to create a more agile, simpler, and better-connected organization focused on growth and innovation,” the company said.
Europe/Russia

BrewDog announces job cuts after posting GBP 37 million loss

United Kingdom | Scottish brewer and pub operator BrewDog has announced job cuts across the business, media reported on 6 October. The firm has not confirmed how many jobs will go. Staff were informed in an email from CEO James Taylor. The trade union Unite said roles could also be lost at BrewDog's Ellon brewery and described it as a “deeply worrying sign for the company's future”.
Europe/Russia

Ohio Governor bans hemp-derived THC drinks and gummies

USA | One of the fastest growing segments for craft brewers in Ohio has just been eliminated. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, signed an executive order, temporarily banning food and beverage products that contain intoxicating THC derived from hemp. The ban began on 14 October and will last for 90 days. Retailers were compelled to pull these products from shelves.

Europe/Russia

Diageo to pay “settlement” after Africa anti-competition probe

United Kingdom | East African Breweries’ majority owner, Diageo, will pay USD 750,000, following a probe into anti-competitive business practices in Eswatini, Seychelles, Uganda, and Zambia, media reported on 14 October. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission launched an investigation into Diageo, alongside Heineken, Castel and AB-InBev. in 2021, regarding the “market allocation arrangements” and “territorial restrictions” the companies were alleged to have had.

The Americas

In the culture war over alcohol, UN rains on the WHO’s parade

USA | The United Nations General Assembly, on 25 September, debated global alcohol policy at a high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases. Its specialised agency, the WHO, was pushing for stricter alcohol controls based on its stance that there is no safe level of drinking. The high-level meeting had to “establish a new vision for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being by 2030 and beyond through a new, ambitious, and achievable political declaration.”

Asia/Australia

Fax me a beer, please: Hackers force Asahi back to pen and paper

Japan | Luckily, they still have fax machines. Asahi, the maker of Japan's best-selling beer, was forced to halt production at most of its 30 factories in the country at the end of September after a cyber-attack. While all of its facilities in Japan – including six breweries – have partially reopened, its computer systems were still down two weeks later, the BBC reported. That means Asahi has to process orders and shipments manually, either by phone or by fax machines, resulting in much fewer shipments than before the attack.

Europe/Russia

Heineken Austria highlights it economic contribution

Austria | The beer market leader’s contribution to the domestic economy exceeds EUR 1.2 billion, according to a study presented in Vienna on 20 October. The timing of the study’s release is probably not entirely coincidental. Heineken’s Austrian subsidiary, Brau Union, is currently facing antitrust proceedings on suspicion of market power abuses.

Beer/Brewing history

Keptinis – a traditional Lithuanian beer from baked mash

Let’s bake and brew | Keptinis is a traditional Lithuanian beer made of baked mash. The mash is roasted at temperatures of over 250 °C in a stone oven. Hardly any measurement data on the properties of this type of beer is available. The information that does exist is primarily based on what has been passed down orally and what can still be found in old housekeeping books.

Current issue

BRAUWELT International 5

Editorial
Table of contents

placeholder img 01 — Image galleries
150 years of Steinecker

BRAUWELT on tour

Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America

20 Apr 2026 - 22 Apr 2026

Over a pint

Hoses and noses

Publicans, restaurateurs, bartenders and anyone else who serves beer and other beverages on tap has a great deal of power in their hands. Just a few yards of hose determine whether a beer comes out tasting and smelling fresh and highly drinkable or whether it is tainted by dispensing line microbiota and thus decidedly undesirable from the standpoint of customers’ noses. And, as the Spider-Man comics we Gen X kids read in the 70s taught us: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Moreover, functional beverages present new challenges, some of which are rapidly evolving as we speak in North America.

Previews

EBC Congress 2026: location and dates announced

Save the date | The Brewers of Europe and their scientific, technical arm, the European Brewery Convention, recently announced that the 40th edition of the EBC Congress will take place in Rotterdam in the Netherlands from 6–9 September 2026.

Reviews

The Great American Beer Festival 2025: Winners announced

Denver | The Brewers Association (BA) revealed the 2025 award-winning beers and ciders at this year’s Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition ceremony on 11 October 2025. Expanding on last year’s introduction of cider categories, the 2025 competition featured a special, one-time-only Vera Hop category.

Company news

Krones strengthens its portfolio

Germany | With the acquisition of 60% of the shares in GHS Separationstechnik GmbH and the full takeover of the Dutch company Can Systems Worldwide (CSW), Krones is expanding its portfolio in both process technology and filling and packaging equipment.

Reviews

Europe’s Keg Champions 2025

Germany | The Keg Champion Awards 2025 were presented by the Steel Keg Association (SKA) during drinktech at the BRAUWELT exhibition stand on 17 September 2025. Founded in 2022, the association highlights the sustainability, economic efficiency and improved consumer experience associated with steel kegs.

Reviews

BestBrewChallenge 2025: Winners announced

Germany | The BestBrewChallenge 2025 organized by Bestmalz has once again demonstrated the diversity and creativity of the international craft beer scene Over 100 people from twelve countries took up the challenge of creating and submitting an oatmeal stout using identical basic ingredients – including this year's mandatory Best Oat Malt.

Reviews

drinktec 2025– Efficiency gains, digitalisation, and sustainable solutions

Munich | 58,281 visitors from 164 countries gathered inspiration for future product concepts, business strategies, and technical solutions. With 70 per cent of attendees coming from international markets, drinktec 2025 once again lived up to its reputation as the industry’s premier global platform. Approximately 30 per cent of visitors came from Germany, around 40 per cent from the rest of Europe, and the remaining 30 per cent from other regions worldwide.

Over a pint

Unlocking Mother Nature’s sublime packaging

Magpie&Marten | Dear readers: The following discussion continues one that began in our previous column in the print edition of BRAUWELT International, which is about the rising gelatinization temperature in barley.