Taking Pride in Unser Bier

Localism and beer | Developing a beer culture is a slog. It takes decades rather than years. Switzerland is no exception here. On turning twenty, Basle’s microbrewery Unser Bier shows that a new beer culture can take hold, that it is made up mostly of people creating beers they earnestly care about, and consumers who may find the idea of craftsmanship important, but for whom flavour rules supreme.

Long live SABMiller

AB-InBev in Africa | Big news: AB-InBev declare themselves heir to SABMiller’s legacy as market maker and drop their own tactics as market taker. The question is: Can this metamorphosis boost investor confidence and revive AB-InBev’s share price?

Beer in South Korea

Small but powerful | With a population of 51.6 million in 2016 [1], South Korea is among the smaller countries in Asia, both in terms of population and geographical area. But it is one of the most vibrant beer markets in the continent. Dominated by two brewers for a long period, its beer market has become more interesting with the entry of a third brewer in 2014. Imports, which have started to play a significant role in the country’s overall beer market, have increased significantly in the last few years. BRAUWELT International presents an overview of the South Korean beer market and major stakeholders in this article.

Vietnam – Craft Beer Country?

Travel report | In turning our attention to craft beer, it becomes obvious that the product has moved into the international arena, impacting on more and more countries as markets progressively develop. But what comes to mind are usually countries such as the USA, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain or Italy. And Vietnam? – The Southeast Asian country evokes images of exotic places, dreamlike beaches, coupled with a lot of history, culture and nature, rather than such of craft beer. On a journey with his family, BRAUWELT International author Dr. Markus Fohr discovered Vietnam as a craft beer country. In this very personal article he shares his impressions.

The Future of Macro Beer Brands

US beer market | Is there no end to market fragmentation? Consumers are becoming more finicky. New products are creating their niches and category lines are blurring. Craft beers, the bright spot in the beer industry, keep on growing. So do wines, bourbons, tequilas, and cognacs, thanks to craft’s trailblazing. Without much effort they have adopted craft beer’s cachets of heritage, craftsmanship, regionality, a sense of premium and exclusivity. The consequence: macro beer brands continue to slip.

drinktec worldwide – Tailor Made Trade Fairs for Local Industries

Global network | 2018 comes under the banner of drinktec worldwide. The network comprises several events all around the world. food & drink technology Africa (fdt) will get things started in September in Johannesburg. A short time later, in October, China Brew China Beverage (CBB) and drink technology India (dti) will be held almost simultaneously, in Shanghai and Mumbai respectively. As preparations are moving forward at full speed, Petra Westphal, Exhibition Group Director Messe München, speaks with BRAUWELT International Editor-in-Chief Dr. Lydia Junkersfeld about the features of the network and what visitors can expect at the three fairs.

Per Me una Birra Artigianale

Beer in Italy | When it comes to fashion, Italians go for the new and ultra-modern. Same with craft beer. Consumers tend to be on the look-out for the next big thing and craft brewers comply with imagination and experimentation. How come that the Big Brewers’ own craft beer offerings embrace a retro sentimentality for an imagined era when men were men and life was full of little wonders?

The Japanese Beer Market

Prolonged weakness | Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Japan. Though, the overall beer industry is registering decline in volumes year after year for a number of reasons. The first brewery to serve the Japanese market was founded in 1869 in the international port town of Yokohama by a foreign businessman. After changes in ownership in 1888, the brewery started producing Kirin-branded beers. BRAUWELT International presents an overview of one of the largest Asian beer markets in this article.

Infinite Success Story?

Weakening boom | Craft beer is a genuine success story. US craft brewers have become accustomed to double-digit growth rates for years. But it won’t go on like this forever. Despite of further growth the boom is slowing down. Is there any real cause for concern? BRAUWELT International author Horst Dornbusch spoke with Bob Pease, CEO of the Brewers Association, Boulder, USA, about current issues and future challenges for Craft Brewers.

The Neutraubling-based company continued its stable growth in 2017. Revenue increased 8.8 per cent year-on-year from EUR 3,391 million to EUR 3,691 million. Adjusted for acquisitions, revenue was up 7.2 per cent year-on-year. Order intake was up 10.0 per cent year-on-year to EUR 3,787 million in 2017. Adjusted for acquisitions, the increase was 7.1 per cent. At the end of 2017, the company had orders on hand totalling EUR 1,240 million, which is 8.3 per cent more than the previous year.