The Beer Club was founded in 1995 in the European Parliament by the European brewers’ association (CBMC). The CBMC is the umbrella organization of the national brewers’ associations in the 15 member states of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Romania.
Today, more than 170 Members of the European Parliament are members of the Beer Club. The president of this beer lobby is Belgian MEP Marianne Thyssen (CVP).
The Beer Club pursues the goal of defending the interests of the beer industry in Europe. It is currently pressing for a harmonization of excise duties an VAT on beer. After all, the rates applied by the member states thus far are highly divergent. Scandinavia, for example, adheres to high excise duties in line with her policy of the strict regulation of alcohol. In the long term, however, this must become an increasingly difficult position to maintain in a unified Europe. But the Beer Club wants to be more than just a pressure group for the beer sector. The Club also intends to support scientific research into the health aspects of its European beer products. Wine and olive oil wear the halo of being healthy as long as they are consumed in moderation. Scientific research indicates that beer is far from being a poor second to wine as far as concerns its beneficial effect on general health. And the Beer Club means to spread the word.
The Beer Club publishes a quarterly for members of the European Parliament, members of the Commission and policymakers. The object of this exercise is to raise awareness of discussions concerning the interests of the beer industry. Every six months the brewers’ association of the country of the president of the Beer Club organizes a reception for the members of the Beer Club. This is the time to make the acquaintance of a selection of beers from that country. In 2001 the honour went to Belgium.

Dr. Marleen Finoulst

More information:
Beer Club
Eva Gonzalez Areizaga
Communication Officer
e-mail: info@cbmc.org

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