October is European Beer Month, and the European Beer Group marked the occasion with a lunch and reception in Strasbourg on 7 October, supported by The Brewers of Europe. The event brought together Members of the European Parliament and representatives of the brewing sector to discuss the state of beer in Europe and its contribution to the European economy.
The reception also offered a first look at findings from a new economic impact report prepared by PwC for The Brewers of Europe, which will be published in early December.
The figures tell the story of a sector that remains deeply rooted in European life, despite a challenging five years. Europe is home to nearly 10,000 breweries, ranging from small independent producers to larger international companies. Together, they form an industry closely connected to local economies, supporting employment and businesses well beyond the brewery gates.
The sector is also responding to changing consumer preferences. Today, one in every twelve beers sold in the EU is non-alcoholic, reflecting the growing range of choices available to European consumers. These developments come at a difficult time for European brewing. The past five years have brought considerable challenges for the sector, making it all the more important to recognise its economic contribution and the conditions needed for breweries to remain competitive.
The Strasbourg reception provided an opportunity for MEPs to exchange views on these issues and consider what the forthcoming economic impact report will reveal about the sector’s place in the European economy.
The event was held as part of European Beer Month, an initiative championed by the European Beer Group’s Co-Chairs, MEPs Tomáš Zdechovský and Hannes Heide. Bringing together MEPs from different countries, political groups and parliamentary committees, the reception reflected the reach of Europe’s brewing sector. From farmers and local breweries to hospitality and tourism, beer supports livelihoods and brings people together across the continent. This is the idea behind Beer Is More: recognising beer’s place in Europe’s economy, culture and society, across communities throughout Europe.
With the full economic impact report due in December, the figures presented in Strasbourg offer an early indication of the issues facing European brewing and the contribution it continues to make across the EU.