‘The craft beer revolution has spread across the continent’

European craft brewers unite to form The Independent Brewers of Europe

By Rachel Arthur

- Last updated on GMT

Pic: getty:/eddiehernandezphotography
Pic: getty:/eddiehernandezphotography

Related tags Craft beer Europe Beer Uk France Italy Sweden Ireland Spain Denmark

Craft brewing organisations from nine European countries are working towards the formation of the Independent Brewers of Europe, an organisation which will promote and advance the mutual interests of their members with European institutions and the media.

Craft brewing bodies from France, Italy, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, the UK, Spain, Netherlands and the Czech Republic say the new Independent Brewers of Europe will collectively represent 2,000 member breweries.

The organisation aims to become a central point of contact for the European institutions and to field representatives to make their case on issues of concern, such as regulation, taxation and access to market, and invites similar bodies from other countries to join them.

Mike Benner, chief executive of the UK’s craft beer body SIBA, said: “We’re very pleased to see progress in establishing a much-needed voice for independent brewing organisations across Europe. The craft beer revolution has spread across the continent and with well over 5,000 breweries the sector is well-placed to supply the diverse range of high quality beers demanded by today’s discerning drinkers.

“The European beer market remains dominated by global big beer, despite the swing in consumer demand to craft-brewed beer.”

The nine organisations are:

  • Independent Brewers of Ireland
  • SIBA, The Society of Independent Brewers, (SIBA) UK
  • Syndicat National des Brasseurs Indépendants, (SNBI) France
  • Unionbirrai, Italy
  • Scanian Beverage Producers, Sweden
  • Det Fri Øl, Denmark
  • Craft Brewers Netherlands
  • Czech and Moravian Microbreweries Association, Czech Republic
  • La Asociacion Española de Cerveceras Artesanas Independientes (AECAI)

Recent research from Mintel shows that craft beer innovation in Europe now outpaces that of North America:​ North America now accounts for 19% of launches while 54% come from Europe. Six of the top ten most innovative markets are now in Europe: UK, France, Spain, Sweden, Italy, and Norway.

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