The Brewers of Europe

As we count down to the Commissioner #hearings, we have a question for Jessika Roswall: ♻️ Recycling is vital, especially through deposit return systems. However, high performing #DRS systems for drinks packaging are now at risk. The #PPWR agreement ties derogations from reuse targets to the entire packaging industry’s performance, not the impressive results achieved by the drinks sector’s deposit return system. 🎯 How will you ensure that the #PPWR legislation truly supports sustainability, green growth & doesn’t perversely provoke dismantling of effective functioning existing #DRS systems for beer packaging in the EU?

Cheers to the New Year! 🎊 As we begin 2025, we’re sending our best wishes to the Polish EU Council Presidency – we look forward to great collaboration. We’re also looking forward to working with the European Commission, the European Parliament and all our partners. In 2025, we’re calling on the EU to: ✔️ Recognise beer’s unique nature in alcohol-related policies – fostering innovation, promoting low-alcohol products and supportive proportionate regulations. ✔️ Ensure a fair excise tax framework for beer, reflecting its lower alcohol content, economic importance, and its role in creating jobs across hospitality and agriculture. ✔️ Advocate for balanced alcohol labelling that’s clear and meaningful, giving consumers easy access to essential, comparable details like ingredients and calories. Let’s work together to drive a sustainable and prosperous #BeerFuture in 2025! Find out more about our vision in our manifesto: https://loom.ly/Mu0R0pk

The Brewers of Europe hopes our members and beer enthusiasts have a beautiful holiday season. May your holidays be filled with joy and the New Year bring wonder and happiness! 🍻 🎁 We've gathered the season’s greetings from our members all around Europe - watch the video below to get into the festive spirit. As we look to 2025, we're excited to keep working together on a sustainable, innovative and thriving #BeerFuture.

The Brewers of Europe wish you a fantastic holiday and an even better 2025!🎄 This past year has been an eventful one, with many challenges but also highlights for Europe’s #brewers. The brewing sector is a symbol of what the European Union is: united in diversity. Beer culture and traditions vary from country to country, but #beer still brings us together. Beer is deeply intertwined with our history – and continues to play an integral role in European society and in boosting the economy. 🍻 Here’s to building a prosperous, sustainable and innovative #BeerFuture in 2025! Enjoy our Seasons Greetings from members across the EU - a true team effort! ⬇️

🍻 Check out the second issue of our newsletter, Brussels Brewing! It’s packed with news and insights from The Brewers of Europe about key events in the EU bubble. In the festive spirit, it also includes season’s greetings from our Secretary General, Julia Leferman, and our members across Europe. Inside, you’ll find articles on: 📌 New EU Commission taking office 📌 Relaunch of the European Beer Group by its new Co-Presidents, MEPs Tomáš Zdechovský and Hannes Heide 📌 Adoption of the #PPWR 📌 Reflections from the 11th edition of our #BeerServesEurope gala 📌 Launch of the 2024 Beer Trends Report and update on the state of play of the #brewing sector ... and the latest articles about The Brewers of Europe! Read the newsletter here 🔗 https://loom.ly/CrhfPH0

Two weeks ago, we hosted the 11th edition of the #BeerServesEurope gala. The annual event brought together 200 leaders from Europe's brewing industry alongside key decision-makers from EU institutions. Our main takeaways 👉 🔹 Our panel discussion focused on the key opportunities and challenges for the brewing sector, with an emphasis on the significance of beer for Europe and how EU decision-makers can support the entire brewing chain from #GrainToGlass. 🔹 The European Beer Group was relaunched with new co-chairs, MEPs Tomáš Zdechovský and Hannes Heide, highlighting the sector's importance to European society and the economy. 🔹 The 2024 European Beer Trends Report was unveiled, revealing that the sector is still struggling to recover from the effects of the Covid pandemic and its aftermath. Despite a steady recovery in 2022, the #brewing sector faced challenges in 2023, including high inflation, rising production costs and reduced consumer spending, which slowed production and export growth. 💡 The event reinforced the brewing community's determination and commitment to ensuring a bright future for beer, but a supportive policy framework from EU decision-makers is essential. Read more on Julia Leferman’s blog🔗 https://loom.ly/-cbxDS4

In my recent POLITICO Europe article (see page 7), I write about the collaboration potential between the European Commission and #brewers to build a more prosperous and sustainable #BeerFuture.   🤝 Brewers are committed to moderation and responsible drinking, providing consumers with transparency by labelling alcohol content, calories, and ingredients. And with one in 15 beers now alcohol-free, we’re offering more choices than ever before. By working together, we can shape proportionate, evidence-based EU policies that recognise the intrinsic nature of beer.   🌱 Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. From embracing circular economy practices to improving energy efficiency, conserving water and reducing waste, Europe’s breweries lead the way. With the right policies, we can accelerate the EU’s green transition and set new standards in sustainable production.   💡 Innovation is driving our industry forward. Whether through advanced brewing techniques or sustainable supply chains, we are constantly evolving. We urge the EU to support innovation through research grants, cutting red tape and recognising beer’s essential role in the agri-food chain.   📢 Our message is clear: let’s collaborate. With the right policies and partnerships, we can create meaningful change and contribute to a prosperous future of the brewing sector!   Read the article here on page 7: https://lnkd.in/dcKmbaWM 

Our #BeerServesEurope gala last week looked at the opportunities and challenges of the #brewing sector. 🌟 During the event, we engaged in a #GrainToGlass-themed panel discussion, covering the value chain behind European beers. We also celebrated the relaunch of the European Beer Group with its new co-chairs, MEPs Tomáš Zdechovský and Hannes Heide. We’re eager to see MEPs across political groups and member states come together in this network to promote a sustainable and competitive future for beer within the European Union. 📊 The 2024 edition of the European Beer Trends Report was also released this week. It highlights the challenges facing our sector: high inflation, increased production costs, rising raw material prices and changing consumer habits, all contributing to a dip in beer sales, production, and exports. 🤝 Support from EU decision-makers is crucial for our sector to thrive. We need policies that recognise the positive, responsible and sustainable role the beer value chain plays in the local economy. 🔗 More: https://loom.ly/gFRRu2E

Last week was an exciting one as the European Beer Group (EBG) was relaunched by its co-chairs, MEPs Tomáš Zdechovský and Hannes Heide, at our #BeerServesEurope gala. 🍻 🔸 The EBG is a network of MEPs from across Europe who talk about what matters in #beer while supporting the responsible and #sustainable development of the brewing sector across the EU. 🔸 By facilitating conversations between different stakeholders, it aims to put beer at the centre of Europe’s ambitions for growth and #competitiveness. 🔸 Through various activities, such as events, debates, study trips, and beer tastings, EBG offers its members a unique opportunity to unite and stay informed on beer-related issues. Read more about how EBG advocates for policies that help keep #beer at the heart of European society, culture, and economy ➡️ https://loom.ly/Kxf_2DI

🍺 This week, I had the privilege of co-chairing the relaunch of the European Beer Group (EBG) during the 11th annual #BeerServesEurope gala, hosted at The Brewers of Europe House. As a passionate supporter of European brewing and president of the #BeerClub, I was honored to address an audience of industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders. Together, we celebrated not just a beloved beverage but an entire ecosystem that embodies the best of Europe’s cultural #heritage and economic ingenuity. #EuropeanBrewing is much more than producing beer—it’s about supporting farmers, driving innovation, and creating sustainable jobs across local economies. From the fields of malt to bustling hospitality venues, the beer value chain contributes to communities, tourism, and sustainable growth. Our panel discussion, themed #GrainToGlass, highlighted: 🔸 Competitiveness and innovations across the brewing sector 🔸 Opportunities and challenges, from raw materials to pubs and beyond 🔸 Beer as a cornerstone of European cultural identity I firmly believe we should dedicate a month each year to celebrating the legacy and future of beer in Europe — a tradition that unites us all. Let’s continue raising our glasses to this fantastic industry and supporting its role in fostering European innovation, sustainability, and culture. Cheers to the bright future of European brewing! 🍻 The Brewers of Europe ❤️ 🍻 #BeerServesEurope #BeerFuture #EuropeanHeritage #BrewingInnovation #SupportLocalEconomies Gianluca Nurra / EUROMALT / Krishan Maudgal / BELGIAN BREWERS - BELGISCHE BROUWERS - BRASSEURS BELGES / Hannes Heide / Jennifer Baker