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König, Society for Hop Research, GfH

Trend spotting | In February 2022, Walter König, Managing Director of the Gesellschaft für Hopfenforschung e.V. (Society for Hop Research; GfH) in Hüll, Germany, visited the USA and spoke with BRAUWELT International author Horst Dornbusch about his trip, German hops and the U.S. craft beer market.
Welcome to Massachusetts, Walter, and thank you for agreeing to an interview. Let me jump straight into my questions: You are the General Manager of the Society for Hop Research (GfH) in Hüll. Why are you here; and why now, on this wintery February day?

Market
Pale ale cans waiting to be recycled: Brewer Sierra Nevada is committed to sustainability throughout their operations

Tipping point | “That magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire” – this is how Malcolm Gladwell, author of the now iconic book “The Tipping Point” [1], defines his eponymous concept. Using a host of true and amazing stories, Gladwell convincingly demonstrates not only that tipping points are real but that they can be crossed in either direction – towards positive outcomes, or, sadly, towards disastrous ones. Is sustainable brewing approaching the tipping point?

Market

Health and environment | Healthy ingredients are good for well-being and for the environment – that’s how you could describe the mood among consumers in the food and beverage sector. The fact is that, partly due to the pandemic, consumers are increasingly on the lookout for healthy products and changing their consumption habits in favor of “free-from” and “clean-label” products. The question of personal well-being is becoming more and more of an everyday topic. These changes in consumers’ desires can also be seen by the beverage and liquid food industry, which will meet from September 12 to 16 at the world’s leading trade fair drinktec in Munich.

Market
Statue of Liberty (photo: Ferdinand Sthr on Unsplash)

The Brewers Association released annual production figures for the U.S. craft brewing industry. In 2021, small and independent brewers collectively produced 24.8 million barrels of beer and realized 8% growth, increasing craft’s overall beer market share by volume to 13.1%, up from 12.2% the previous year.

Market
A typical farmhouse brewery: Hollolan Hirvi Kivisahti (Photo: I. Verstl)

Beer market Finland | Although Finland is part of the Nordic countries, it is not only its language that makes it stick out. The Finns also go their own way when it comes to beer and alcohol. As beer consumption is in decline and the pandemic has hit craft brewers particularly hard, the pressure is growing for further curbs on the state monopolist retailer, Alko.

Market
City panorama: Sunset view of Gran Via in Madrid (Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash)

75th anniversary | With a one-year delay, the 38th EBC Congress will take place in Madrid from 29 May to 2 June 2022. It also marks the 75th anniversary of the EBC as well as the centenary celebrations of the Cerverceros de España, the brewers association of Spain. BRAUWELT International talked with Benet Fité, EBC President, about the event, the current situation, changes in the programme and the topics presented there.

Market
Bottle of Braxton Brewing Company’s Milk Stout, garnished with four scoops of icecream (Source: Joint Braxton Brewing Co./Graeter’s Press Release)

The changing world of craft beer | 2021 was a tough year for American craft brewers – between supply chain blockages, can shortages, competition from ever-new “Beyond Beer” drinks, shrinking retail shelf space, and, oh yes, that little problem of the pandemic. It’s truly a testament to the stick-to-it-ness of the brewers that the craft beer category, following a decline in 2020, accelerated to high single digit growth.

Market
Black and white picture of several people working with brewery equipment at Siebel in the 1900s (Photo: The Siebel Institute)

Services and education | As the Siebel Institute celebrates its 150th anniversary, it has much to look back on – right to its beginnings when a German immigrant saw an opportunity to offer services and education to US brewers. Over time, Siebel has grown into a leading institution for brewing education, defying industry consolidation, Prohibition and even its own financial troubles. Transformation and change have been part of its history, but there is one constant, though. As it evolves and progresses, it will always honor its legacy of providing the highest standards in brewing education.

Market
Barley field (Photo: BRAUWELT)

Market overview | As 2022 begins, the brewing materials supply chain continues to face several challenges caused over the past two years, some related to the global pandemic, but several the result of non-pandemic related events. High market prices influenced by supply shocks in the face of strong demand have created a situation where it is hard to predict what to expect next, except we can be certain market volatility will remain well into 2022 and likely beyond. As Managing Partner for RMI Analytics, a market insights and networking platform provider for the brewing industry’s critical brewing materials supply chain, Brent Atthill gives an overview over the current situation.

Market
Red apples on a tree against the light

New organics regulation | The market share of organic products in Germany and Europe continues to grow strongly. From 2010 to 2020, sales in Germany grew by 249 % from EUR 6.02 billion to EUR 14.99 billion, according to Statista. The new Organic Regulation by the EU will impose stricter requirements on the composition of flavourings. What does this mean for beverage producers?

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BRAUWELT International

Receive the most important BRAUWELT news three times a month for free.
Newsletter archive and informations
Your data is secure and will not be passed on to third parties. You can revoke your consent at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the end of the newsletter.

By clicking on "Subscribe to newsletter," you confirm that you have read our privacy policy and accept the processing of your data as described therein.

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