A delegation has taken some of Scotland’s finest beers to Belgium for a showcase in front of European Parlaimentarians.
The Scottish party included: Colin Valentine, chairman of CAMRA; Gerald Michaluk, chairman of Scottish SIBA; Yaser Martini, of PubAid; and Richard Ashworth MEP, chairman of the British Pub and Beer Group in the European Parliament.
Mr Michaluk told the audience: “This is a very exciting time for brewers, not only in Scotland but throughout the EU. There are now over 100 breweries in Scotland supporting jobs, contributing to the exchequer and gaining increasing export revenue for the country, and this is being repeated right across the length and breadth of Europe.
“It is a politically instigated success story of just what can be achieved with sensible duty management to encourage business growth.”
One Parliamentarian suggested that beer should be the official emblem of the EU, as it’s brewed in every member state and in such diversity that it truly reflects the vision of the EU: common methods, but embracing great diversity.
