Brussels Brewing
THE PUBLIC NEWSLETTER OF THE BREWERS OF EUROPE

Greetings from the new Secretary General

Welcome to this first edition of the brand-new monthly newsletter of The Brewers of Europe. Having joined The Brewers of Europe two months ago, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to introduce myself here, but what I really wish to do is to be out there meeting with you, our key stakeholders, representing the European beer industry, discussing our priorities and sharing a beer.

The Brewers of Europe brings together national brewers’ associations and companies from 28 European countries to represent and promote the interests of Europe’s 10,000+ breweries. My wish is that policymakers from across the European institutions and other key stakeholders recognise The Brewers of Europe as a partner. Our mission is to be the trusted, respected voice of all Europe’s brewers, helping to shape a policy environment that enables sustainable, responsible, competitive growth throughout the beer value chain but also across the wider EU economy.

This monthly newsletter is intended to give you, the reader, an important snapshot of what is going on in the European beer sector, the key activities and priorities of The Brewers of Europe and what is coming up on our agenda and potentially therefore your agenda too.

Just in this last week we launched a landmark report on the economic impact of beer in Europe. This study forms the spine of this first newsletter but also is the backbone for helping understand that beer is not just a drink – it means jobs, culture, innovation, responsibility, growth, society, sustainability, competitiveness, friendship… – all traits that are critical to a prosperous future for Europe.

Happy reading and I look forward to meeting some of you over the next months!

Julia Leferman

Highlights from the 2024 Beer Economic Impact Report

Beer creates 2 million jobs in the EU, from grain to glass, representing one percent of overall EU employment. One job in a brewery generates a further 17 in the wider economy.

Brewing Growth

On 16 October, at our house in the heart of the EU quarter, took place The Brewers of Europe’s first Brussels event of the new mandate of the European Parliament. Coming on the eve of the much-anticipated hearings of the designated new College of Commissioners, and during another busy Brussels week, we were delighted to have a packed house, standing room only and over one hundred people attending for the launch of the new beer economic impact report.

Joining Julia Leferman for a fireside debate were two esteemed MEPs and members of the European Beer Group, Tomas Zdechovsky (EPP, Czech Republic) and Hannes Heide (S&D, Austria). Presenting the new report on the economic impact of beer, Julia Leferman highlighted the 2 million jobs, €52 billion in value added and €40 billion in tax revenues generated by brewing throughout the beer value chain. Responding to the data, both MEPs stressed the critical importance of agriculture at one end of the chain and the on-trade hospitality sector at the other end, and the interdependence amongst brewers and all the operators.

Commenting on the need for a policy framework that will support brewers, the beer value chain and the EU’s overall ambitions for growth and competitiveness, the discussion addressed sustainability, alcohol policy, taxation, regional policy, local regeneration and tourism.

Video coverage of the event, photos, the report itself, country chapters and a shorter leaflet of infographics are all available on our website.

This month’s highlights

What we’re talking about