Germany: European regulators are set on March 16 to rule on a proposed €1 billion merger between beer giants Carlsberg and Holsten, EUpolitix reported today. Danish group Carlsberg Breweries’ bid to acquire German Holsten-Brauerei was set up internally after the company received a green light from Christian Eisenbeiss - which holds a 51 per cent ownership share of the Munich-based company. Carlsberg plans to sell on Holsten's König and Licher breweries to another German beer manufacturer, Bitburger, and has an option to dispose of Holsten's mineral business.

Commentators see a link in moves within the German beer industry to disarray resulting from the government’s deposit recycling scheme that has reduced sales and created deficits. If the tie-up is approved, Carlsberg would become the fifth-biggest brewer in Germany.

16 March, 2004