World: True Belgian beer cannot be imitated

Foreign beer makers often make improper use of the good reputation that the Belgian beers are enjoying abroad, Gazet van Antwerpen recently cited Philippe Buisseret of the Belgian Beer Brewers' Union.

Exports of Belgian beer are doing well. But despite that there is a new trend which is causing concern among representatives of the Belgian beer sector.

"Apparently, we're victims of our own success,” Philippe Buisseret said. "Every country offering Belgian beer, whether it's Great Britain, Italy, France or the United States, tries to imitate our manner of brewing. Local beer producers see that the typical Belgian beers are selling well and try to make their profit from that."

Some pubs abroad are offering beers with the label "Belgian beer", without there being any connection with Belgium whatsoever, says Buisseret. An even bigger problem is that many beer makers are offering their beer with the label "Belgian style" without there being any Belgian connection."

Belgian MP Sven Gatz (Flemish liberal) has launched a campaign to tackle the problem. He has also written to other Belgian MP's to make them aware of the problem. The Belgian Beer Club will meet with the Belgian Beer Brewers' Union to discuss the issue and to think of possible solutions, it is reported.

31 March, 2010