AB InBev to Cut 263 Jobs in Belgium
Though certainly not a microbrewery by any means, AB In-Bev in Belgium has decided to cut 263 jobs due to the lack of beer sales.
The average Belgian drank about 20% less beer in 2008 than in 2000, and volumes sold fell another 1.7% in the first nine months of 2009, the brewer said.
“Beer has traditionally proved resistant to weak economic conditions, but our industry is not immune to the general economic climate,” the company said in its statement.
Hopefully this is just isolated to Europe and has no effect on the US beer climate, but you have to wonder how long breweries in America can go without feeling some of the strains of the economy. The big brewers might be already feeling the competition from microbreweries in terms of sales but if you’re an average beer drinker, can your spring for an $11 six-pack of great beer, or is it better to save a few bucks and go with Rolling Rock?
The Wall Street Journal — AB InBev: May Cut 263 Jobs in Belgium as Sales Suffer
Matt
Matt is a freelance journalist, fiction, and nonfiction writer. He recently graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a degree in English and a subconcentration in creative writing. Matt enjoys watching Arsenal soccer games, Michigan football, and all things beer—especially stouts and anything imperial. He can be reached at mbemery@gmail.com.
