The autumn 2026 EBCU meeting took place in Berlin on 6-7 November. Reuben and I attended for Beoir.

The biggest issue under discussion was the problem home brewing organisations in Denmark and Sweden have been having with their tax authorities, who have effectively shut down competitive home brewing on the grounds that tax is owed because the beer isn’t strictly for domestic use. In theory, the tax authorities in Ireland could do the same thing. Local negotiations are ongoing, but for its part, EBCU has met with the office of the EU Commissioner for culture, seeking support for home brewing as an important part of European culture. The meeting went well, and the eurocrats seemed quite supportive. Further word is awaited from the commissioner’s office.

Poland is currently progressing a total ban on alcohol advertising. The measure passed the lower house of parliament and is on its way through the upper one, with a view to implementation in January. It includes a ban on advertising non-alcoholic versions of alcoholic beers, which is something the anti-alcohol lobby is campaigning for here.

The Executive had a proposal to raise the membership fee for organisations but this was rejected by the membership. Although the budget tends to be a negative each year, which isn’t sustainable, the organisation has enough money to keep it going and tends not to spend its full budget each year anyway. The proposal was shelved until next year’s meeting, to be looked at again.

One of the two Spanish members, ACCE (the home brewers), has dropped out, so the other one, CELCE (the collectors), is now a full member.

The next meeting will be 7-8 May in Prague.