Hello Brussels – It’s Time to Get to Work!

Hi everyone!

I'm excited to kick off my first blog post as the new Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe. After recently moving from Bucharest to Brussels, I'm slowly settling in and getting a feel for this vibrant city.

In my previous role with the Brewers of Romania, I proudly promoted my country's rich brewing traditions-seriously, if you haven't tried Romanian beer, you're missing out! But now, my mission is to champion the entire European beer sector, a powerhouse in our economy, a leader in promoting responsible consumption, sustainability, innovation, and, of course, a force that brings people together.

Now that I'm here in Brussels, I'm ready to dive in and make sure our industry's voice is heard. And what better time to do that than during la rentrée? It's that moment after the summer holidays when everyone is back at work and ready to go-and I'm no exception.

This rentrée is especially important. We're coming off the European Parliament elections, and soon, a new European Commission will be taking the reins. With Ursula von der Leyen confirmed for a second term as Commission President, the focus now shifts to the hearings for her team of Commissioners. By November or December, we'll see the new College of Commissioners in action. So, just like us at The Brewers of Europe, the EU is going through its own leadership transition.

This change presents an exciting opportunity for us. We want to show EU policymakers and stakeholders that brewing isn't just a part of Europe's past-it's vital to its future. With fresh energy and perspectives, we're eager to build strong partnerships with the new Commission and Parliament.

At The Brewers of Europe, we're all about:

• Moderation: We recognize the importance of promoting responsible consumption.
• Sustainability: Our industry has already made huge strides here, and we're committed to doing even more.
• Innovation: This is key to driving Europe's economy forward, and we're ready to lead the charge.

As we welcome the new EU leadership, the brewing community is keen to seize the opportunities ahead. Together, we can create a future that's sustainable, innovative, and prosperous, ensuring that Europe remains a global leader in brewing.

Here's to a successful rentrée and an exciting journey ahead. Cheers!

Julia Leferman
Secretary General
[email protected]

ABOUT THE BREWERS OF EUROPE:

Based in Brussels, The Brewers of Europe brings together national brewers' associations and companies from 28 European countries to support the united interests of Europe's 10,000+ breweries. Our vision is to ensure a competitive, responsible and sustainable European brewing sector, creating shared value across the entire value chain and enriching European culture.