What is Beoir?

Beoir is an independent group of consumers with a primary goal of supporting and raising awareness of Ireland's native independent microbreweries. There are some fantastic benefits for members. Find out more about Beoir or learn how to join:
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With all the coverage recently about what the labels on alcoholic drinks should or shouldn't say, one side that nobody thought to ask is us, the consumers. Everyone recognises that we need to be informed about the products we buy, but exactly what and how? Alcoholic beverages have a long, and in Beoir's view inappropriate, exemption from the rules around the labelling of food. Now that there are moves to change the law, it is appropriate to ask drinkers what exactly they want their beer packaging to tell them.

This is where the European Beer Consumers Union has stepped in. This summer it's asking the drinkers of Europe and beyond, about the information which ought to be required on the packaging of beer. The result will be presented to brewing industry representatives and European policymakers at the annual EBCU reception in Brussels in September.

And of course, we want your opinion. The survey is open until 13th August 2023 and only takes a few minutes to fill in. Have your say, and maybe improve the situation for beer consumers across Europe.

Click here to start the survey.

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The Beoir awards have been running annually for over a decade now. It is the only beer awards scheme in Ireland voted for by the drinkers ourselves and the integrity of the system is a vital part of how it works. Winners can know that their beer stood out on its own merits, purely for how good it tastes. Although Beoir in 2023 has over 300 members eligible to vote, we received an insufficient number of ballots to identify the usual trio of winners. As a result, Beer of the Year and the runners-up will not be awarded this year.

That's not to say that there was no useful information produced. Though no individual beers stood out, there were several breweries in contention for our best brewery prize, and indeed one outright winner. Beoir is happy to announce the new holder of the Oliver Hughes Award for best brewery:

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Editors' note: Prof. Claus-Christian Carbon is an academic at the University of Bamberg, Germany, with an interest in the social aspects of beer. He is also an executive member of the European Beer Consumers Union. This article is on the important but often missed distinction between health and wellbeing in how beer is discussed.

I am a psychologist by training, working in the field of sensation and perception as a Full Professor at the University of Bamberg in Bavaria, Germany. Sensation and perception are mostly investigated in the visual domain, but I sometimes include the senses of taste and smell, so beer is a perfect research arena to get insights into the whole experience of sensation and perception. Beer is typically consumed in groups, with good friends, family members, dear colleagues, or, your beloved partner. This type of gathering together is essential for social cohesion, good conversation and not to forget, wellbeing. Wellbeing is much more than just health, although health issues should never be ignored when talking about wellbeing. To start a productive discussion and campaign for wellbeing, we need to know the facts about health issues. This is why I also openly present the downsides of beer consumption, in order to honestly discuss and experience the positive sides of wellbeing.

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Our late friend Andrew Moore made a point of contacting Irish breweries each year for a list of their seasonal Christmas beers. The tradition has been continued in his absence. See below for a list of what Ireland's small and independent breweries are releasing for Christmas 2022.