drinktec 11–15 September 2017

The beer market fell in two successive years for the first time ever in 2014 and 2015 (0.5% 2014 and 1.5% in 2015). The chief reasons for this are thought to be tough general economic conditions and increasing political unrest along with a strongly consolidated world beer market. According to Statista, the five biggest brewing groups accounted for just over half of all beer sales, a market that stands at 1.93 billion hectolitres, placing further importance on individual breweries to be able to produce efficiently and flexibly.

But the craft beer market is taking off all over the globe. In the US, the ‘motherland’ of the craft brewing movement, the market in craft brewing increased by almost 13% (in sales) and 16% (in revenue) in 2015, according to the Brewers Association, this against the background of an overall market that was stagnating. These small breweries now account for over 12% of the second-largest beer market worldwide.

You will be able to find out more about brewing and craft beer at drinktec — the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industries. The event is held every four years and will be on in Munich this coming 11 to 15 September.

Around 80% of drinktec exhibitors are offering resolutions and technology for the brewing sector. There will be solutions for both amateur and craft brewers, as well as family-owned firms and large-scale breweries. Exhibitors will be showcasing product-specific process technology for beer from the brew-house via filtration through to the necessary analytical equipment. Raw materials from malt houses and from hop suppliers are presented along with restaurant, catering supplies as well as dispensing systems.

Home & Craft is a new section at the fair in response to the growing trend in craft beer breweries starting up throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. It’s where small-scale and amateur brewers can find the right equipment for their needs. There are now an estimated 17,000 amateur brewers in Germany, and the borderline between production for home consumption and commercial activity is imprecise.

On a separate SIMEI exhibition space, all kinds of machinery and equipment for winemaking and wine treatment will be presented, including the corresponding packaging. It will also be of interest to craft brewers who prefer to fill their special beers in fine, large wine bottles or who think more in terms of overall numbers than hectolitres.

The European Beer Star will also be awarded at drinktec, on 13 September. This competition picks out the best beers from all over the world, and it is regarded as one of the most important international beer competitions. The European Beer Star is organised by Private Brauereien Bayern e.V.