By MEP Tomáš Zdechovský and MEP Hannes Heide, Co-Chairs, European Beer Group

As Co-Chairs of the European Beer Group in the European Parliament, we are proud to see a tradition come to life this October: the European Beer Month.

It has been ten months since we announced plans to celebrate October as a month-long moment to recognise beer, and we are thrilled to see it come to life now.

This EBG initiative is about not just recognising, but celebrating its full value chain, from grain to glass.

This is not solely through events and beer tastings – welcome though they are. As MEPs, we also want to show how beer matters in the European Union: it is an inherent, intrinsic part of our culture and a crucial cog in the economy, supporting millions of jobs and generating billions in value for economies, including through tax revenues.

And, in turn, it is about showing how the EU matters for beer. From a policy perspective, the European Month of Beer also comes at the right moment. Decisions made in Brussels on agriculture and farming affect the hops fields of Bohemia and the barley crops of Burgenland, just as much as vineyards in France or olive groves in Spain.

Sustainability ambitions motivate how brewers source raw materials, brew and package, while discussions on health policy influence how Europeans enjoy their beer responsibly.

Take some of the upcoming EU initiatives like the Circular Economy Act, the 2030 Consumer Agenda, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the implementing acts of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation – not to mention the Single Market Strategy, Water Resilience Strategy, Omnibus processes, Vision for Agriculture and Food, and the Cardiovascular Health Plan – all of these will impact brewers. Meanwhile, tariff debates and trade agreements shape Europe’s ability to share its beers with the world, keeping our brewing heritage competitive abroad.

We come from Austria and the Czech Republic, two countries with robust brewing traditions, and they both show how deeply beer is woven into our societies.

In Austria, some 360 breweries – most of them small and family-run – are powering rural development while offering ever more innovative and sustainable products. Brewing is not just an industry but a pillar of local communities, with specific beers tied to regional identity and brands particular to the various villages, towns and cities.

In the Czech Republic, the story is equally compelling: we are proud of our centuries-old brewing traditions, including creating the pilsner, and of the fact that Czechs remain the world’s leading beer consumers. In one of the few currently growing beer markets, thanks to the deep engagement and cooperation among brewers, politicians and innovators, behind every glass is a supply chain supporting farmers, workers, and exporters alike.

The European Month of Beer is not simply about toasting heritage. It is about looking forward. Europe is striving to strengthen its Single Market, support circularity in food and drink, and ensure a fair Common Agricultural Policy that links farmers with processors. Beer shows how all these elements come together – delivering jobs, innovation and responsible enjoyment across borders.

So this October, when you see a glass of beer raised in Brussels, Prague, Vienna or anywhere across Europe, remember that it tells a European story. A story of fields and farmers, of innovation and sustainability, of communities and conviviality. We invite citizens, policymakers, and brewers alike to join us in celebrating the drink that brings Europeans together.