A new organization, the Independent Brewers of Europe (IBE), has been launched to counter the growing dominance of international beer corporations. The group, formed by independent brewery associations from ten European countries representing about 3,000 brewies, aims to protect the diversity of regional beer traditions across Europe.
The founding members of IBE include brewery associations from Germany (Private Brauereien), France (Syndicat National des Brasseries Indépendantes [SNBi]), Finland (Pienpanimoliitto), the United Kingdom (Society of Independent Brewers and Associates [SIBA]), Italy (Unionbirrai), the Netherlands (Craftbrouwers), Austria (Unabhängige Privatbrauereien Österreichs), Poland (Polish Craft Brewers Association), Switzerland (Die freien Schweizer Brauereien), and the Czech Republic (Czech-Moravian Association of Microbreweries). The group seeks to address issues in the beer market, such as the decreasing variety of beer due to market concentration by global beer corporations and unfair competition practices.
Hubert Stöhr, spokesperson for IBE and representative of Austria's Independent Private Breweries, stated that the group's primary goal is to preserve Europe's diverse beer culture and to ensure that consumers have continued access to regional and artisanal beers. "We have a common, important goal. We want to protect the indigenous beer culture in all its diversity and enable its further development," he says.
According to IBE, the beer market is increasingly dominated by a few large multinational companies that prioritize mass production over regional specialties.
IBE also aims to address specific challenges such as the incompatibility of equipment in the hospitality industry, which makes it difficult for smaller breweries to compete. Additionally, the group is concerned about the marketing tactics used by global corporations to create the impression of regional authenticity while offering products from large international brands.
The IBE plans to expand its membership and is in discussions with brewery associations from other European countries. The organization is focused on promoting fair competition, increasing the visibility of independent breweries, and raising consumer awareness about the importance of preserving regional brewing traditions.
