Microbrewery

There are already more than 10,000 breweries in EU countries, according to the latest data published by Brewers of Europe. At the same time, over the last five years, the production and consumption of beer on the old continent have been marked by continuous growth and an increase in the added value of the industry, according to the Brewers' Union in our country.

The Athens Beer Festival is under way in downtown Athens, across the street from City Hall in Kotzia Square. The event boasts 50 different labels from Greek brewers and microbreweries, another 50 from craft ale powerhouse the Czech Republic and an additional 20 labels from other producers. There are also parallel events going on, including live music performances. The festival opens at 1 p.m.

I grew up in the United States but have been an expat for decades. My adopted hometown of Kamnik, population 13,000, nestled at the foot of the Alps and featuring three castles, can make a claim being the beer capital of Slovenia.

The Balkans is bursting with new start-ups, ranging from complex apps to simple craft breweries - and showing that even high-school girls can start a business in the region from scratch.

Like the head on a well-poured lager, Greek microbreweries have seen their numbers rise to around 45 from just six in 2009, and that's with three of those six having closed since then.

Sofia is the cheapest city in Europe to enjoy a beer where the average price of a pint in the Bulgarian capital is available for £1.14 (US$1.47), almost eight times less than in the costliest city.

Canadian craft brewers are facing a sudden aluminum can shortage and are blaming the supply disruptions on aluminum tariffs, making these small businesses among the first casualties of the Canada-U.S. trade spat.

From 19th to 21st of July at the FLORA Exposition Center in the Sea Garden will be held the first International Beer Festival "101 Beer Fest" Bourgas, in which over 20 companies with more than 101 breweries will take part.

The exhibition is held at the height of the tourist season and has a commercial character.

The Czech Republic is the country of honor at this year's Corfu Beer Festival, taking place at Arillas on the Ionian island's northwestern coast from Wednesday, September 27, to Sunday, October 1.

On a recent voyage in the Aegean, I was quite excited to notice the bar of the ship we were traveling in had a wide variety of Greek beers to chose from, including two from microbreweries. They were quite delicious. Later, at a restaurant in a mountain village on a small island, we were even more surprised when we spotted a locally made ale on the menu.