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E-Malt.com Newsletter 13a
March 24 - March 26, 2025
Quote of the Week
The brewery is the best drugstore.
Old German folk wisdom
Currency Rates
Base Currency: US Dollar
on March 26, 2025 |
Base Currency: Canadian Dollar
on March 26, 2025 |
| |
1 USD = 0.9256 EUR
1 USD = 0.7730 GBP
1 USD = 1.4302 CAD
1 USD = 1.5873 AUD
1 USD = 150.2050 JPY
1 USD = 5.7319 BRL
1 USD = 84.2298 RUB
1 USD = 7.2562 CNY
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1 CAD = 0.6991 USD
1 CAD = 0.5404 GBP
1 CAD = 0.6471 EUR
1 CAD = 1.1096 AUD
1 CAD = 105.0060 JPY
1 CAD = 4.0071 BRL
1 CAD = 58.8838 RUB
1 CAD = 5.0727 CNY
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Currency Rates Chart
Equities of the Largest Breweries
Canada: Barley crop forecast unchanged at 8.8 mln tonnes
...Click here
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Canada: 2024-25 barley supply estimated 3% down from previous year and 9% below five-year average
...Click here
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Canada, AB: Big Rock Brewery Inc. reports financial results to December 30, 2024
...Click here
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USA, MA: Incandescent Brewing to open its doors for the first time on March 28
...Click here
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USA, NY: K2 Brothers Brewing closes Wayne County location with immediate effect
...Click here
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USA, CO: FlyteCo Brewing saying goodbye to its original location
...Click here
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USA, KS: Flatlanders Brewing Company coming to Wichita later this summer
...Click here
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USA, MI: Roar Brewing Co. to soft launch in Detroit on March 23
...Click here
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USA, MN: Dangerous Man Brewing to cease operations by the end of March
...Click here
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USA, FL: Voodoo Brewing to close its Fort Myers location on March 30
...Click here
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USA, NY: K2 Brothers Brewing closes Wayne County location with immediate effect
...Click here
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Germany: Maltsters facing increasing competition from import
...Click here
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Germany: 93 breweries close in Germany over the past five years
...Click here
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Japan: Kirin Brewery renews focus on developing more low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages
...Click here
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Australia: Analysts maintain barley crop forecast for 2025 at 12.3 mln tonnes
...Click here
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World: Global barley area projected to increase 2% in 2025-26
...Click here
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UK: Brewing and hospitality business Powder Monkey Group eyeing more acquisitions this year
...Click here
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UK: Average price of a pint of beer could increase by as much as 21p
...Click here
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Rwanda: Rwanda’s biggest brewer Bralirwa gets waiver to import raw materials tax-free
...Click here
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South Africa: Beer industry warns above-inflation increase in excise duties to fuel illicit alcohol in black market
...Click here
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India: India’s four biggest whisky producers create Indian Malt Whisky Association
...Click here
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Finland: Brewery and soft drink plant workers in nationwide strike until March 29
...Click here
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South Korea: Oriental Brewery to raise prices for some of its beers
...Click here
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UK: Government urged to raise alcohol-free beer threshold in line with Europe
...Click here
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UK: Carlsberg Britvic launches new alcohol-free beer from 1664
...Click here
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Graph of the Week
Table of the Week
Wold Hop Acreage and Percent Share 2019 - 2024
Prices Evolution
Barley Prices
Theoretical Malt Prices
These Days in Business History
24 March
1867 - Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. forms
1898 - 1st automobile sold
1955 - 1st seagoing oil drill rig placed in service
25 March
1814 - Netherlands Bank established
1954 - RCA manufactures 1st color TV set (12 1/2'' screen at $1,000)
1957 - Treaty of Rome establishes European Economic Community (Common Market)
1970 - Concorde makes its 1st supersonic flight (700 MPH/1,127 KPH)
26 March
1780 - The British Gazette and Sunday Monitor was published for the first time. It was the first Sunday newspaper in Britain
1885 - Eastman Kodak (Eastman Dry Plate and Film Co.) produced the first commercial motion picture film in Rochster, NY
1996 - The International Monetary Fund approved a $10.2 billion loan for Russia to help the country transform its economy
Agenda
March 2025:
25 - 27: Expo Antad & Alimentaria Mexico 2025 (Expo Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
25 - 27: 109th International Brewing & Engineering Congress 2025 (Kulmbach, Germany)
April 2025:
03 - 05: Warsaw Beer Festival 2025 (Warsaw, Poland)
06 - 09: 15th International Trends in Brewing 'Beer & Society' 2025 (Leuven, Belgium)
06 - 08: Planete Biere 2025 (Paris, France)
10 - 12: KIBEX 2025 (Seoul, South Korea)
11 - 12: InnBrew 2025 (Barcelona, Spain)
11 - 13: Barcelona Beer Festival 2025 (Barcelona, Spain)
15 - 17: Craft Beer China 2025 (Shanghai, China)
28 - 30: 27th Annual International Beer Strategies 2025 (Prague, the Czech Republic)
28 - 01 May: Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America 2025 (Indianapolis, USA)
May 2025:
01 - 01: World Beer Cup 2025 (Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA)
06 - 06: The Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards 2025 (Melbourne, Australia)
08 - 11: Wiener Bierfest 2025 (Vienna, Austria)
12 - 13: European Malt Supply Summit 2025 (Paris, France)
13 - 15: International Beer Strategies Conference 2025 (Prague, the Czech Republic)
16 - 17: Copenhagen Beer Festival 2025 (Copenhagen, Denmark)
16 - 18: Cerveza Mexico Expo 2025 (Expo Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
18 - 20: EBC Symposium 2025 (Budapest, Hungary)
26 - 01 June: Budapest Beer Week 2025 (Budapest, Hungary)
June 2025:
10 - 11: IGC Grains Conference 2025 (116 Pall Mall, London, UK)
13 - 14: Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend 2025 (Tallinn, Estonia)
16 - 18: VLB Africa Brewing Conference 2025 (Maputo, Mosambique)
20 - 22: Mondial de la Biere 2025 (Montreal, Canada)
July 2025:
03 - 04: The CIBD Sustainability in Brewing Conference 2025 (Nottingham, UK)
18 - 19: London Craft Beer Festival 2025 (London, UK)
August 2025:
05 - 09: Great British Beer Festival 2025 (Birmingham, UK)
07 - 09: VIETFOOD & BEVERAGE - PROPACK VIETNAM 2025 (Saigon Exhibitions and Conventions Center, 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, HoChiMinh City, Vietnam)
13 - 15: Brewing Summit 2025 (Palm Desert, CA, USA)
22 - 23: Beervana 2025 (Wellington, New Zealand)
September 2025:
04 - 06: Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival 2025 (Stockholm, Sweden)
13 - 14: Bruges Beer Festival 2025 (Bruges, Belgium)
15 - 19: Drinktec 2025 (Munich, Germany)
20 - 05 October: Oktoberfest 2025 (Munich, Germany)
27 - 29: Whisky Live Paris 2025 (Paris, France)
October 2025:
09 - 11: The Great American Beer Festival 2025 (Denver, USA)
16 - 17: Brew Asia 2025 (Bangkok, Thailand)
November 2025:
04 - 06: Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 (Belgium)
10 - 12: 15th Iberoamerican VLB Symposium Brewing & Filling Technology (Parana, Brasil)
13 - 15: Drink Technology India 2025 (Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India)
December 2025:
03 - 05: Drink Japan 2025 (Makuhari Messe, Japan)
News Articles
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Canada: Barley crop forecast unchanged at 8.8 mln tonnes
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There is no change in RMI Analytics’ barley crop’25 forecast for Canada, at 8.8 mln tonnes, with limited moisture received across key Canada and
...More info on site
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Canada: 2024-25 barley supply estimated 3% down from previous year and 9% below five-year average
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For 2024-25, the Canadian barley supply is estimated at 9.4 million tonnes (Mt), down 3% from the last crop year due to lower production
...More info on site
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Canada, AB: Big Rock Brewery Inc. reports financial results to December 30, 2024
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Big Rock Brewery Inc. on March 21 announced its financial results for the three months and year ended December 30, 2024.
For the three months ended December 30, 2024, compared to the three months ended December 30, 2023, the company reported:
• wholesale sales volumes down 4.3% to 33,808 hectolitres ("hl") compared to 35,314 hl;
• contract sales volumes up 189.2% to 28,779 hl compared to 9,952 hl;
• total sales volumes up 38.3% to 62,587 hl compared to 45,266 hl;
• net revenue increased by 7.7% to C$9.7 million from C$9.0 million;
• operating loss increased by 87.7% to C$2.8 million compared to $1.5 million;
• net loss increased by C$7.6 million to C$9.7 million due to an increase in one-time costs of C$7.2 million compared to 2023 largely attributed to non cash charges incurred when non core assets were rationalized; and
• Adjusted EBITDA decreased by C$0.3 million to C$(1.0) million. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP (as defined herein) financial measure, see "Non-GAAP Measures".
For the year ended December 30, 2024, compared to the year ended December 30, 2023, the company reported:
• wholesale sales volumes down 5.6% to 148,384 hl from 157,203 hl;
• contract sales volumes increased 11.9% to 82,598 hl compared to 73,810 hl;
• total sales volumes flat at 230,982 hl compared to 231,013 hl;
• net revenue
...More info on site
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USA, MA: Incandescent Brewing to open its doors for the first time on March 28
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Craft beer enthusiasts in Franklin County have something new to toast to as Incandescent Brewing prepares to open its doors for the first time on March 28, WWLP reported on March 24.
Located at 203 South Street in Bernardston, the brewery is set to debut with a grand opening celebration featuring live music, a DJ, and local food trucks throughout the weekend.
The new brewery is the passion project of husband-and-wife team Nate Perry and Mesi Charles-Perry. Nate, a Conway native with over 12 years of brewing experience, brings his expertise to this venture, while Mesi adds her enthusiasm for creating a vibrant, community-centered space. Together, they aim to establish a welcoming atmosphere where locals and visitors alike can enjoy handcrafted beer and lively entertainment.
“We are thrilled to open our doors and share our passion for craft beer with the community,” said Mesi Charles-Perry. “Our goal is to provide a bright and colorful space where friends and neighbors can come together to enjoy great beer, live music, and delicious food.”
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has embraced the new business, recognizing its role in boosting the local economy.
“We are thrilled that Incandescent Brewing has found a home in Bernardston,” said Jessye Deane,
...More info on site
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USA, NY: K2 Brothers Brewing closes Wayne County location with immediate effect
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Effective immediately, K2 Brothers Brewing's Wayne County location, which opened a year ago in the former Freewill Elementary School, is closing, Yahoo reported on March 24.
In a Facebook post, the company said Monday in part: "It is with extreme sadness and a very heavy heart, we must announce the immediate closing of K2 Bros Brewing at Freewill. This is not a message any of us ever would have expected or wanted to send. This decision is not one that was made hastily and sadly the decision was ultimately forced due to rising ingredient & materials costs, lower than expected sales and a series of unexpected and unfortunate events."
A message for further comment was not immediately answered.
K2 Brothers' location on Empire Boulevard will remain open, according to the post, and all Freewill mug club members will be honored and any and all gift cards are valid for use in house or online.
K2 Brothers Brewing opened in 2017 at 1221 Empire Blvd., across from Irondequoit Bay in Penfield, in the former All That Jazz antiques store.
The Freewill location opened in January 2024 to much fanfare, particularly from former students and staff members of the former school. The school closed in 2017 because
...More info on site
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USA, CO: FlyteCo Brewing saying goodbye to its original location
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Six years after debuting at 4499 West 38th Avenue just off Tennyson Street, FlyteCo Brewing is saying goodbye to its original location with a going-away blowout on Saturday, April 5, Denver Westworld reported on March 21.
Going forward, it plans to focus on operations at the FlyteCo Tower, which it opened in the former Stapleton Airport control tower at 3120 Uinta Street in 2022.
FlyteCo co-owner Jason Slingsby says the current market is difficult for brewery-only locations, and the transition allows the business to offer a wide range of entertainment options in addition to beer.
"I think part of the changing market is, especially with larger groups, people are looking for more. The tower fits that really well. We've got golf simulators and darts and axe throwing all up on the third floor," he notes. "There's a lot of arcades, mini golf outside. It's very family-friendly, especially on the main floor. It's great for all the parties and birthdays. Bring your kids, there's a full restaurant and bar, and there's still great adult vibes throughout the entire building."
Plus, having a location in a former flight control tower is ideal for the aviation-themed brand. "We've got tours going up the top of the tower.
...More info on site
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USA, KS: Flatlanders Brewing Company coming to Wichita later this summer
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Wichita’s Delano district will be rooftop bar central later this summer when a new microbrewery opens, Yahoo reported on March 24.
The new brewery, which will be called Flatlanders Brewing Company, is taking over the vacant space at 623 W. Douglas, which is directly to the west of Picasso’s Pizzeria and was previously home to graphic design business Visual Fusion.
The brewery will be owned by Picasso’s founders Kurt and Jessica Schmidt and partners Jason Ayala, Lawrence Schutz and Lance Diffenbaugh. Though it is right next door to Picasso’s — and will have an adjoining door that will allow brewery customers to get Picasso’s pizza — the business will be a separate entity from Picasso’s, Schmidt said.
It should be open sometime in the next four or five months, which would be July or August. The brewery, which is taking over the space that’s been vacant since Visual Fusion left during COVID, will have two stories plus a rooftop patio looking out over Douglas — just a few blocks east of the new rooftop patio Wichita Brewing Company opened last month.
“I’ve been wanting to do a brewery for a long time,” said Schmidt, who has hired an established brewer from Kansas City to
...More info on site
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USA, MI: Roar Brewing Co. to soft launch in Detroit on March 23
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A new business that bills itself as Detroit’s first Black-owned brewery is opening in Midtown, Detroit Metro Times reported on March 21.
Founded by U.S. Air Force veteran Evan Fay, Roar Brewing Co. plans to soft launch in the former Nain Rouge Brewery space at 666 Selden St. on Sunday, March 23 — ironically the day of this year’s Marche du Nain Rouge parade, a tribute to the folkloric “red dwarf” said to have cursed the city.
According to a press release, “The rebrand represents a shift away from the legend of misfortune toward a message of power, unity, and celebration.”
The brewery says it expects to celebrate a full-fledged grand opening later this summer.
Fay said he took inspiration from the “roar” of fans of Detroit’s sports teams and live music, as well as the sounds of its muscle cars and even “the supersonic roar of F-22 fighter jets.”
“We wanted to build a brewery that captures that energy, where people feel at home, where craft beer is fun and approachable, and where the community can come together and celebrate,” Fay said in a statement.
Fay is also the owner of Caffé Noir and the Chloë Monroe Galleries in Detroit’s North End neighborhood. He says
...More info on site
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USA, MN: Dangerous Man Brewing to cease operations by the end of March
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One of Minnesota’s most well-known breweries will be ceasing operations at the end of March, KSTP reported on March 21.
After 12 years of business, Dangerous Man Brewing announced on March 21 that it would cease its brewing operations completely at the end of the month.
“All good things must come to an end, and part of the journey is knowing when to embrace change,” the brewery said in a statement. “Now is that moment for us. After 12 incredible years of crafting beer and creating community, the time has come for us to hang up the brewing paddle.”
Dangerous Man did not give an exact reason for their closure but said, like other breweries, they had been facing challenges and felt it was the right time to call it quits.
“What we built together was meaningful, vibrant, and deeply loved,” Dangerous Man said. “It worked beautifully for a long time. That is something to celebrate! However, it is time to make the last call.”
The brewery says that the remaining beer and THC tonics in stores will remain for a limited time, but once they are out of stock, they will not return. All online orders will close on April 2 or until it
...More info on site
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USA, FL: Voodoo Brewing to close its Fort Myers location on March 30
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Late on March 24, Voodoo Brewing Co. announced it will close its doors on March 30th, Fox 4 News reported.
"This is not the outcome we had hoped for, but despite our best efforts the challenges have been relentless," the brewery said on Facebook.
Owners Keith and Mashelle Towles opened their business almost a year ago, in April of 2024 at the corner of First and Lee Streets in downtown Fort Myers.
Within the first year of the business, they had a set of challenges: Bridge and Road Closures and 2 Hurricanes that they described in their statement, saying "there were a few obstacles they were not ready for."
They share their next chapter, is in the making and to stay tuned to their social media.
"Let's raise a glass one more time," says the Towles family.
The doors will be closed on March 30th.
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USA, NY: K2 Brothers Brewing closes Wayne County location with immediate effect
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Effective immediately, K2 Brothers Brewing's Wayne County location, which opened a year ago in the former Freewill Elementary School, is closing, Yahoo reported on March 24.
In a Facebook post, the company said Monday in part: "It is with extreme sadness and a very heavy heart, we must announce the immediate closing of K2 Bros Brewing at Freewill. This is not a message any of us ever would have expected or wanted to send. This decision is not one that was made hastily and sadly the decision was ultimately forced due to rising ingredient & materials costs, lower than expected sales and a series of unexpected and unfortunate events."
A message for further comment was not immediately answered.
K2 Brothers' location on Empire Boulevard will remain open, according to the post, and all Freewill mug club members will be honored and any and all gift cards are valid for use in house or online.
K2 Brothers Brewing opened in 2017 at 1221 Empire Blvd., across from Irondequoit Bay in Penfield, in the former All That Jazz antiques store.
The Freewill location opened in January 2024 to much fanfare, particularly from former students and staff members of the former school. The school closed in 2017 because
...More info on site
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Germany: Maltsters facing increasing competition from import
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Germany’s malt industry is facing increasing pressure from rising import competition and structural cost disadvantages, as new data for 2024 shows a continuing trend
...More info on site
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Germany: 93 breweries close in Germany over the past five years
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Germany's brewing industry has witnessed a notable decline in the number of breweries, with statistics revealing a drop of 93 establishments over the past
...More info on site
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Japan: Kirin Brewery renews focus on developing more low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages
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Kirin Brewery has announced a renewed focus on developing more low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages within its portfolio, after the traditional beer sector hit a
...More info on site
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Australia: Analysts maintain barley crop forecast for 2025 at 12.3 mln tonnes
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Looking ahead to crop’25, with seeding plans being developed, the moisture situation has improved on the east-coast and in Western Australia. The major increase
...More info on site
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World: Global barley area projected to increase 2% in 2025-26
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The International Grains Council (IGC) projects global barley area to be harvested for 2025-26 at 47 mln ha, up 2% from 2024-25.
An expansion is
...More info on site
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UK: Brewing and hospitality business Powder Monkey Group eyeing more acquisitions this year
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UK brewing and hospitality business Powder Monkey Group is eyeing more acquisitions this year as it looks to grow the company, Yahoo reported on March 21.
Earlier this week, the Gosport, Hampshire-headquartered brewer acquired the West Midlands-based beer brand and company Empress Ale for an undisclosed sum.
Speaking to Just Drinks on upcoming M&A, Powder Monkey co-founder and CEO Andy Burdon said "there's two on the roll together at the moment", with one expected to be completed by the end of April.
Its upcoming deals will include UK-based businesses, he said. When asked whether those ongoing deals predominantly involve brewers, Burdon said they included "brewers and brands".
Established in 2015 in Leamington Spa, Empress has three SKUs: a lager, pale ale and an IPA.
Its products are supplied to fine-dining restaurants, gastropubs and "up-and-coming eateries" nationwide, as well as retailers like Waitrose and Ocado, according to Powder Monkey.
Following its purchase of Empress, Powder Monkey plans to bring production of the brand in-house and is likely to sit in one of the businesses the group is in the process of acquiring. Empress presently uses a contract brewing partner.
Burdon said: "The plan is to put that production into another acquisition that we are probably three quarters of
...More info on site
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UK: Average price of a pint of beer could increase by as much as 21p
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The average price of a pint is set to increase by as much as 21p as the impact of Budget changes take effect next month, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).
The culmination of the changes means pubs will have to raise the price of a pint to maintain their punishingly slim margins, independent analysis by Frontier Economics — commissioned by the BBPA — found.
The April cliff-edge will herald a business rates relief cut from 75% to 40%, an increase in employer National Insurance (NI) rates, a decrease to the threshold at which businesses pay NI, and significant increases to the national minimum and living wages. There will also packaging reform (EPR) to take into consideration, which will be a huge blow for the sector.
The net cost of autumn Budget announcements across the beer and pub sector is calculated to be £650 million in total.
While prices differ around the country — especially in London where the UK average price is far exceeded — the pre-Budget average pint price was £4.80. New costs imposed by government will drive up the cost of a pint by as much as 21p, making the average price of a pint £5.01.
“The cumulative impact
...More info on site
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Rwanda: Rwanda’s biggest brewer Bralirwa gets waiver to import raw materials tax-free
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The East African Community (EAC) has granted Bralirwa Ltd, Rwanda’s biggest beer and beverage manufacturer, a duty remission on key industrial inputs, allowing the company to import sugar and raw materials tax-free until June 30, 2025, KT Press reported on March 24.
The decision, published in the latest EAC Gazette, is part of a routine mechanism that enables partner states to support industries considered essential to their economies.
Across the region, governments frequently apply for waivers on behalf of manufacturers to lower production costs and enhance competitiveness.
A duty remission is a tax incentive that allows businesses to import specific goods or raw materials at a reduced or zero import duty rate.
Governments and trade blocs, such as the EAC, grant these exemptions to support key industries, reduce production costs, and promote economic growth.
Under this system, manufacturers can import essential inputs at a lower cost, making their final products more affordable.
However, the waiver usually applies only if the goods are used domestically. If the finished products are sold in other EAC partner states, they attract normal duties and levies under the Common External Tariff (CET).
Bralirwa Ltd, a major producer of beer and soft drinks, will benefit from a 0% import duty on 10 million
...More info on site
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South Africa: Beer industry warns above-inflation increase in excise duties to fuel illicit alcohol in black market
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The beer industry has warned that the above-inflation increase in excise duties will drive more financially-constrained alcohol consumers towards illicit alcohol in the black market, resulting in devastating health and employment consequences, MSN reported on March 24.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a 6.75% increase in excise duties a fortnight ago as part of the new fiscal policies, which include a percentage point increase in the Value-Added Tax (VAT), to plug the Budget deficit.
This means that prices for beer and ciders increased by 16 cents for a 340-milliliter can, while a bottle of wine now costs 29 cents more, with sparkling wine going up by 90 cents, and spirits seeing an increase of just under R6 a bottle.
However, the industry sees the surge in sin taxes as a significant barrier to investment, which will raise the cost of production and ultimately burdening the consumer.
Charlene Louw, CEO for the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA), on Friday said the beer industry was playing a meaningful part in growing South Africa’s economy as it touched a variety of sectors in its value chain.
Louw said recent research showed that the beer industry alone contributed R19 billion towards gross domestic product in
...More info on site
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India: India’s four biggest whisky producers create Indian Malt Whisky Association
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The heads of four of India’s biggest whisky producers have joined forces to elevate the category internationally, The Drinks Business reported on March 21.
Paul P John, chairman and managing director of John Distilleries, Rakshit N Jagdale, chairman and managing director of Amrut Distilleries, Abhishek Khaitan, managing director of Radico Khaitan and Akhil Dada chairman of Piccadily Agro Industries now make up the IMWA board of directors.
The new industry body is looking to promote ‘Made in India’ labels while competing with international whisky brands.
A statement announcing the group’s formation cited the existence of similar bodies in other well-established whisky producing countries, namely the Scotch Whisky Association, Irish Whiskey Association and Japanese Spirits & Liquor Whisky Association.
The IMWA is looking to emulate the success of such bodies to create a “unified voice for the industry” in India. The organisation plans to build partnerships with local governments to support malt whisky production in the country.
Rajesh Chopra is founder and director general of the IMWA. He emphasised the importance of regulatory and technical standards for the industry. “Defining guidelines, securing certifications, trademarks, geographical indications (GI), and intellectual property rights (IPR) are essential steps to build trust in the authenticity and quality of Indian malt
...More info on site
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Finland: Brewery and soft drink plant workers in nationwide strike until March 29
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A nationwide strike involving brewery and soft drink plant workers began on Sunday evening (March 23). The strike affects three of Finland’s largest breweries and is expected to continue until Friday, March 29, Helsinki Times reported.
Roughly 1,000 workers from Hartwall in Lahti, Olvi in Iisalmi, and Sinebrychoff in Kerava are taking part. The strike also covers Hartwall’s warehouse in Tattariharju, Helsinki, and Sinebrychoff’s equipment services in Kerava.
The breweries involved produce some of Finland’s best-known alcoholic and soft drink brands, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Jaffa, Fanta, long drinks, and Olvi, Sandels, Karhu, and Koff beers.
The strike follows a similar walkout by bakery workers earlier in March. Both actions stem from unresolved disputes in the food industry between the Finnish Food Workers’ Union SEL and the Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation ETL.
Negotiations between the two sides have been ongoing since early February. The main point of contention concerns working hours and wages for bakery employees. Although ETL accepted a settlement proposal on Friday that maintained a 100 percent night work bonus, SEL rejected the offer. The union argued the proposal still significantly weakened current working time arrangements.
As a result, SEL confirmed the strike would go ahead across all shifts starting 23 March
...More info on site
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South Korea: Oriental Brewery to raise prices for some of its beers
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Oriental Brewery (OB), Korea's largest brewer, said on March 21 it will raise prices of some beers next month to reflect higher raw materials costs, The Korea Times reported.
The retail prices of its major beer products, including Cass and Hanmac, will go up by an average of 2.9 percent on April 1, the company said in a press release.
"High exchange rates have continued for some time, pushing up a variety of raw material prices," it said, referring to the weak won against the U.S. dollar.
But the company will freeze the price of its 500-milliliter Cass canned beer as it is the most popular beer item sold at convenient stores, it said.
Previously, OB raised the prices of its major products by an average of 6.9 percent in October 2023.
OB, wholly owned by Belgian brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev, accounts for about 50 percent of the local beer market.
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UK: Government urged to raise alcohol-free beer threshold in line with Europe
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A recent analysis has revealed that everyday supermarket items such as burger rolls and ripe bananas can contain more alcohol than a no-alcohol beer. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is now calling on the UK government to reform labelling regulations to better reflect this reality, The Drinks Business reported on March 17.
In the UK, a beverage can only be labelled as ‘alcohol-free’ if it contains no more than 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV). This is significantly lower than the 0.5% ABV threshold permitted in many European countries and the United States. The drinks industry has long argued that the current standard puts British brewers at a competitive disadvantage and limits consumer choice.
“It makes little sense that products like burger rolls, malt loaf, and ripe bananas can contain more alcohol than a no-alcohol beer, yet the beer is subject to stricter labelling rules,” said Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA. “It’s time to update the regulations to reflect reality and support British brewers in meeting growing consumer demand for low and no-alcohol options.”
The BBPA’s push for reform comes as the government continues its consultation on the no-and low-alcohol threshold, which was launched last year. The consultation aims to
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UK: Carlsberg Britvic launches new alcohol-free beer from 1664
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Carlsberg Britvic has announced that 1664 Bière 0.0%, expertly brewed to contain no alcohol, will launch in the Off Trade this April, following a successful launch in the On Trade at the beginning of 2025, Retail Times reported on March 25.
Delivering the rich and balanced taste that 1664 is known for, the new product ensures that the 1664 range can be enjoyed on every occasion. 1664 Bière 0.0% will be available in 6x330ml sleek cans in several major national retailers, including ASDA, Tesco and Waitrose.
Joining Carlsberg Britvic’s strong roster of Low & No alcohol beers, ranging from Carlsberg 0.0 to Erdinger Alkoholfrei, 1664 Bière 0.0% draught has gained positive traction in the On Trade, with nearly 500 outlets already pouring. This will be further supported with a standalone branded fount launching in April for the On Trade channel across both 1664 Bière and 1664 Bière 0.0%.
1664 Bière 0.0% has performed strongly in consumer research ahead of the beer’s launch. Amongst consumers, 1664 Bière 0.0% was particularly recognised for its excellent taste, with consumer testing showing the brand’s favourability for taste was on par with the UK’s market leading alcohol-free beer*.
Carlsberg Britvic will support 1664 Bière 0.0% with a multimillion-pound
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