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Jörg Lehmann has been appointed as the interim CEO of German brewer Kulmbacher Brauerei, following the retirement of CEO Markus Stodden. Lehmann, who previously served as CEO of Paulaner, will lead Kulmbacher on an interim basis alongside Mathias Keil, the chief financial officer and chief technology officer. Lehmann's appointment comes after his departure from Paulaner due to disagreements about the company's growth strategy and organizational structure. Lehmann expressed his commitment to Kulmbacher and his intention to continue the brewery's successful story during this transition phase. [Extracted from the article]

Spanish contract beer manufacturer Hijos de Rivera has acquired an undisclosed stake in local brewer Tyris. The investment is seen as a commitment to the craft beer industry and a way to promote local, authentic products. Tyris, based in Paterna, Valencia, is expected to produce 500,000 liters of beer with a turnover of €1.7m ($1.8m) in 2024. Hijos de Rivera, which produces brands such as Estrella Galicia, Maeloc Sidra, and Peroni, has 41 sites in eight countries. The article also provides information on the beer market in Spain and the performance of major brewing companies in Europe. [Extracted from the article]

Lotus Beer Collective, an Australian craft drinks group, is facing an uncertain future as administrators have been appointed. The company's website has been taken down, and it is unclear how many jobs will be affected. Lotus Beer Co. owns Valhalla Brewing, which produces a range of craft beers. This news follows a trend of struggling craft brewers in Australia, with Mighty Craft also recently announcing plans to sell its Lot 100 brewery. [Extracted from the article]

According to Dan Rowntree, co-founder of London brewery Big Hug Brewing, the UK beverage industry should prepare for a legal recreational cannabis market by 2030. Rowntree suggests that businesses should be equipped to capitalize on this opportunity while also mitigating potential threats. He points to the growth of functional beverages driven by consumer health trends and the search for mood-changing beverages. While there has been little movement on the legislative side in the UK, Rowntree believes that the US's regulatory environment for cannabis could slowly influence the UK's stance. [Extracted from the article]

UK alcohol-free beer specialist Big Drop is seeking £450,000 ($569,435) through a crowdfunding campaign to support its expansion into the US and Asia. The funds raised will be used to replicate Big Drop's business model in other markets, with the company already having licensing deals in Singapore and Australia. In the US, Big Drop currently has a contract brewing arrangement with Illinois-based brewer Destihl, but is also in discussions with other breweries for licensing agreements. The company aims to raise more than £10m since its establishment and forecasts international volume value of £3m in 2024. [Extracted from the article]

Adnams, a UK-based brewer, has announced that its chairman, Johnathan Adnams, will be stepping down as the company seeks funding for future growth plans. The company has received interest from multiple parties and is currently evaluating proposals to determine the best route for long-term value. Adnams has been performing well in terms of sales and outperforming the market in beer volumes and sales. However, its financials have shown a net loss in recent years. The company operates a brewery, distillery, and 11 pubs and hotels. [Extracted from the article]

James Watt, the CEO of BrewDog, has resigned, which was not unexpected given the company's growth and his consideration of an IPO. Watt's tenure was marked by controversies, including allegations of a "culture of fear" at the brewery, the loss of its B-Corp status, and dropping its promise to pay UK staff the "real living wage." James Arrow, a former Boots Opticians managing director, has been appointed as the new CEO and is seen as a more stable and finance-oriented leader. The company's potential IPO and the possibility of a sale to a larger rival are also discussed, with analysts offering varying views on the company's prospects. Despite the controversies, BrewDog has built a strong brand and played a significant role in the craft beer boom in the UK. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) found that 43% of UK independent brewers listed "survival" as their main concern, following a series of closures in the first quarter of 2024. While this figure is lower than the previous year's 63%, SIBA still considers it to be too high. The number of SIBA breweries remained relatively stable, only decreasing by 1% compared to the previous year, but the total number of active brewers in the UK decreased by 38. Despite these challenges, beer production volumes among SIBA members have reached pre-pandemic levels, with UK cask beer production seeing a significant increase. However, SIBA expressed concern about the declining popularity of beer among 18- to 24-year-olds, with fewer young people drinking beer and an increasing number choosing alcohol alternatives or abstaining from alcohol altogether. [Extracted from the article]