About: beer industry

EU beer market sales fell 20% so far this year due to COVID-19
The EU beer market estimates that its sales have dropped by 20% so far this year, a figure which could rise to 25% by the end of the year, the secretary-general of the Brewers of Europe, told EURACTIV in an interview.Despite pandemic’s disaster, brewers insist on EU climate goals
The EU beer industry has vowed to continue investing in sustainable practices in their brewing processes to meet EU Green Deal goals despite disastrous implications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Belgium’s iconic beer and fries threatened by climate change effects
Two of Belgium’s most iconic products, beer and fries, stand to be severely affected by the effects of climate change, a new report commissioned by the National Climate Commission warned on Thursday (17 September).
MEP: Commission could issue recommendations to revive EU hospitality sector
The European Commission could recommend that EU member states take measures such as tax and red tape reductions to help the struggling hospitality sector recover from the economic losses incurred by the pandemic-induced lockdown, MEP Ivan Štefanec has said.
Beer boss: Lowering VAT on alcohol would help hospitality sector revive quickly
Lowering VAT rates on alcohol across Europe would tremendously help the hospitality sector's efforts to turn the business around quickly and eventually recover from the disastrous economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Brewers of Europe.
A million pre-paid beers await drinkers as Europe’s bars reopen
As bars across Europe gradually reopen, up to a million free or pre-paid beers are waiting to lure back wary consumers.
Greek court hands Heineken record fine for market abuse
A Greek court has imposed a €26.7m fine on Heineken subsidiary Athenian Brewery for abusing its dominant position in the Greek beer market over more than two decades.
Beer-loving Czechs stub out cigarettes as pubs go smoke-free
Pubs in the Czech capital Prague filled up on Tuesday night (30 May) and some held special events as smokers lit up for the last time before a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants took effect.
Lithuania’s new alcohol package raises eyebrows in industry
The Lithuanian government has unveiled new policy measures aimed at tackling alcohol-related harm, including increasing the legal age for buying and consuming alcoholic drinks.
Beer boss: ‘Commission must bring NGOs back into the EU Alcohol Forum’
The dialogue between the beer industry and civil society organisations continues, despite health NGOs leaving the European Commission-backed EU Alcohol Forum, says Pierre-Olivier Bergeron.
Greek beer market investigation exposes EU competition weaknesses
A ten-year long competition investigation into the Greek beer market has raised questions over the European Commission’s ability to enforce fair competition in the EU member states. EURACTIV Greece reports.
Fighting alcohol harm: Preserving the multi-stakeholder approach
While the European Commission is still debating the added value the EU can bring to tackle alcohol-related harm, The Brewers of Europe remain committed to working together with governments and civil society in promoting responsible beer consumption, writes Pierre-Olivier Bergeron. VideoPromoted content

‘Beer Weekend’ draws over 60,000 in Brussels
The 17th annual Belgian Beer Weekend in Brussels attracted over 60,000 visitors to the Grand Place on 4-6 September. Despite the rainy weather, the crowd gathered to taste over 350 beers from more than 40 breweries on the main square of Belgium's capital.
What’s in alcoholic drinks should be no secret
SPECIAL REPORT / To know what our food and drinks are made of is a basic consumer right. However, alcoholic beverages – often loaded with calories and sugar – scarcely display the full list of ingredients and nutritional information, escaping the rules applied to everything else we eat and drink, writes Ilaria Passarani.![A beer garden in Bavaria [Shutterstock]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/11/bavaria_beer.jpeg)
Consumers have the right to know what’s in their beer
SPECIAL REPORT / The Brewers of Europe have announced a groundbreaking commitment to go beyond the existing EU legislation on consumer information, and progressively provide ingredients and nutrition values on their products, writes Pierre-Olivier Bergeron.
Commission applauds beer industry’s move on labelling
SPECIAL REPORT / Beer drinkers across Europe will soon be able to find out the detailed calorie and nutrition content of their drinks after four of the world's biggest brewers announced last week that they will make the information available.
Beer Serves Europe: Jobs
Europe’s 4,500 brewers can play a strong role in fighting youth unemployment and boosting the EU economy with the right government policies, according to a new EY report and panel discussion held on 4 December, at The Brewers of Europe’s annual gala.
The Hospitality Sector in Europe
The Hospitality Sector in Europe - An assessment of the economic contribution of the hospitality sector across 31 countries. A new Europe-wide study by EY, released Tuesday, shows the hospitality sector plays a critical role in fighting youth unemployment and is essential for jobs and growth and the health of other sectors.
Belgian lawmakers bitter over French beer tax
Belgian senators have urged the EU to take action on France’s proposed beer tax hike claiming that it infringes European competition rules. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Dutch, Italian brewers win ‘Bavaria’ beer ruling
Europe's highest court on Thursday (2 July) upheld the right of Dutch and Italian brewers to sell their 'Bavaria' beer in Italy, despite the German name 'Bayrisch Bier' being protected under EU trade mark law.Brussels downs Dutch beer cartel
Brewers Heineken, Grolsh and Bavaria were fined an unprecedented €273.8 million after the Commission's anti-trust department uncovered evidence of price-fixing, with top management using code names to arrange secret hotel and restaurant meetings.