The closure of bars, restaurants and terraces has brought aperitif culture to a new level. Families have reinvented moments of conviviality, remotely, thanks to virtual aperitifs: a pleasant interlude in this period of confinement.
The pandemic has undoubtedly represented an opportunity for growth for the beer sector, the most dynamic category in the world of liquids in mass distribution (at +3%), with overall turnover up 11,8% to €4,43 billion. (1)The beer penetration rate in 2020 was 80,3% compared to 78,6% in 2019. A figure that had not been reached since 2003.(2).
In the beer world, organic products represent a growth driver, as the segment is still under-represented with less than 2% of sales.
The appeal of craft beers is confirmed
Brewers are competing in inventiveness and offering ever higher quality products through innovative ingredients, traditional brewing methods, varied tastes... Craft breweries have their card to play to differentiate themselves from the large industrialists in the sector and highlight their terroir of origin and their ecological commitment.
The pandemic has indeed revealed new trends: the appeal of organic products, short supply chains, a return to the local market... Consumers are becoming increasingly demanding, curious, and are ready to pay the price for more quality. The annual budget per buyer amounted to €83,30, an increase of 88% compared to 2008 (€44,30). (3).
These developments represent a springboard for market players who find sources of inspiration and innovation there. all the regions showcase this craft, which now goes beyond Belgian expertise. A dozen players are present at Natexpo. They will have the opportunity to present their organic approach as well as their products. A breeding ground for exceptional flavors!
Craft beers promote local produce
The craze for local and craft beers is putting France's regions back in the spotlight. Created by Jean Barthelemy Chancel, the owner of Louis Barthelemy champagnes and from a family of winemakers, The Lubéron Craft Brewery – one of the region's first microbreweries – is committed to showcasing the agricultural and wine-growing terroir of the Lubéron. Carefully selecting its organic ingredients locally, it has also planted around fifty hop plants. White, blonde, amber, brown, and PAL (Indian pale ale) are part of the permanent offering, alongside creative and innovative beers of the moment, including hybrid beer/wine recipes.
For Marc Neyret and Stefan Peter Stadler, the founders of The Vézela Breweryy, respect for the " beer purity law » is essential. Only water, malt and hops, according to a Bavarian quality standard dating back to 1516 (the Reinheitsgebot). Their organic beers have won numerous awards: 14 medals at the Concours Général Agricole, 25 World Beer Awards, 3 medals at the French Beer Challenge…
Recently installed in a new 8500 m production space2 near Trégunc, The Brewery of Brittany (which succeeded the original Brasserie Britt) likes to innovate while maintaining its historical and geographical base. The water, barley, and cereals come from a local source, and the company collaborates with Breton farmers, driven by a strong ecological commitment. Its catalog includes the renowned brands Britt, Sant Erwann (several of whose beers have won awards at the World Beer Awards), Dremmwel, and Ar-Men. Of the 21 beers offered, 12 are organic. Driven by the success of craft beers, Brasserie de Bretagne is behind a great initiative: it joined forces with Brasserie du Vézelay and Brasserie Artisanale du Sud (Drôme) to create the company Fabulous French Brasseurs, in order to expand their catchment areas.
The Montmorillon Brewery is rich in history dating back to 1843. After a hiatus in 1963, it resumed service in 2015 thanks to François Guillon, who decided to revive the pride of his native land. Artisanal, local, organic and made in France, their beers assert their quality and their commitment.
Excellence, pleasure and creativity are the core values of the Brasserie Cap d'Ona, Founded in Argelès-sur-Mer by Gregor Engler, a pioneer among French craft brewers. Its multi-award-winning creative offerings include Terroir & Tradition, Saison & Fruit, and Exceptionnelle & Prestige. Its Extra Brune Imperial Stout beer, aged in Nuit Saint Georges barrels, received the highest score at the 2021 World Beer Challenge.
Founded in 1926, Castelain Brewery has modernized over the course of its long family history. The leading producer of organic beer (Jade), it now offers a gluten-free or 0% alcohol version. An iconic beer for keeping, its Ch'ti beer is the result of authentic expertise from Northern France. Its Castelain beers are top-fermented tasting beers, allowing you to explore a range of new flavors.
The organic craft brewery Plormel has found its trademark with beers brewed according to ancestral recipes: with long times and respect for the work of beer. These ALE beers are unfiltered, unpasteurized and naturally carbonated by refermentation in the bottle.
Belgian beers: between tradition and modernity
With their historical expertise in brewing beer, the Belgians continue to amaze and innovate while committing to organic farming. Founded in 1890, Brunehaut Brewery has evolved towards modernity. Its values: 100% organic ingredients, an unwavering ecological commitment and partnerships with local producers. The Brunehaut brewery, which brews 6000 hectoliters of organic beer annually, is the only brewery in the European Community to be certified B CorpBlondes, whites, triples, ambers, Abbey beers under the name Saint Martin… The brewery has a beautiful catalog of beers, all organic.
When three Brussels friends who are beer and cycling fans decide to launch their own beers, the result is Drink DrinkThree organic varieties (pale ale, IPA, white IPA) named Bicyclette, BMX and Tandem, for a joyful breath of modernity!
The result of the meeting of three men, a lawyer, an engineer and a marketing specialist, Hops has the particularity of being brewed with water from a very pure water table, which is energized, i.e. passed through a very powerful vortex in order to give it back its living water properties. Organic cereals and flower elixirs are added to this, for a beer like no other.
When the super ingredients come together
Some manufacturers are turning to superfoods to differentiate their products and add value. Superfoods Beers thus promotes the virtues of superfoods by integrating them into its beers: yuzu, maca, acerola, ginger, guarana, ginkgo, carob, etc. Very committed to a sustainable process, the company offsets part of its carbon emissions by planting fruit trees and its spent grains are transformed into biscuits.
Seaweed harvester, Thunder of Brest incorporates them into its teas and herbal teas as well as into its organic amber beers of the same name.
Ecology at the heart
The Lalune Brewery, located on the banks of the Garonne, is today an integral part of the Darwin-ecosystem, a hybrid and multi-dimensional district, emblematic of the ecological transition in Bordeaux. Playing with floral ingredients and the seasons, they offer subtle beers with powerful flavors.
In beers Cocomiette, part of the cereals is replaced by unsold breadcrumbs. Red, white, IPA… Innovation at the service of upcycling !
(1) Source: Iri, CAM as of 01/31/2021, all GMS circuits
(2) Source: Iri, CAM from 02/03/2020 to 01/31/2021, all GMS circuits.
(3) Source: iri, CAM from 02/03/2020 to 01/31/2021, all GMS circuits
The abuse ofalcohol is dangerous for health, consume with moderation.