European Beer Consumers' Union
The European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU) is an independent non-religious, non-politically affiliated international consumer organisation that was founded during May 1990 in Bruges by three European national beer consumer organisations, CAMRA (UK), Objectieve Bierproevers (Belgium) and PINT (Netherlands).
(In 2002/3 Objectieve Bierproevers was replaced by Zythos)
Aims
The union campaigns on European level to:
- Preserve traditions in European beer culture particularly regional and local producers using traditional methods.
- Promote craft beers and breweries including local/national beer styles and breweries and help support small breweries to prevent assimilation into multinational companies.
- Represent beer drinkers to ensure consumers receive quality beers and value for money and choice in the marketplace.
Current members
The union currently has 13 constituent members:
| Country | Acronym | Organisation Name | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
CAMRA | Campaign for Real Ale | 1971 |
 Netherlands |
PINT | Vereniging Promotie Informatie Traditioneel Bier PINT | 1980 |
.svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
ZYTHOS | Zythos | 2003 |
 Switzerland |
ABO | L'Association des Buveurs d'Orge | 1991 |
 Austria |
BierIG | BierIG Österreich | 2002 |
 Denmark |
DBE | Danske Ølentusiaster | 1998 |
 Norway |
NORØL | Norske Ølvenners Landsforbund | 1993 |
 Finland |
Olutliitto | 1992 | |
 Sweden |
SÖ | Svenska Ölfrämjandet | 1985 |
 Poland |
BP | Bractwo Piwne | 1995 |
 Italy |
Unionbirrai | 1999 | |
 Czech Republic |
SPP | Sdružení přátel piva | |
 Ireland |
Beoir | 2010 |
Notes
In June 2008 all organisations signed up to a written constitution, a landmark in European co-operation proving that Beer leads where others fear to tread.
The constitution defined the formal aims and structure and under the Chairman Terry Lock defined the role of traditional beer as a prime component of European culture, history and daily life.
In 2012 Terry Lock, the chairman since 1999, retired and Henri Reuchlin, from the Netherlands, was elected as the new chairman.[1]
References
- ↑ http://www.ebcu.org/index.php/news/94-dutchman-to-lead-european-beer-consumers EBCU Press Release: Dutchman to lead European Beer Consumers (accessed 29 Jun 2013)