Heineken Austria in the anti-trust crosshairs

Show notes

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority seeks to fine Dutch Heineken and its Austrian subsidiary Brau Union potentially billions of euros for market abuse and violations of the anti-trust ban. In June, the watchdog submitted a 260-page application for an “appropriate fine” to the cartel court. It had found evidence that the beer market leader Brau Union “cemented” its dominant position by using unlawful methods.

In this podcast Ina Verstl and Ernst Faltermeier discuss the case, while drawing attention to Europe’s brewers and their previous cartel shenanigans. They wonder why Heineken Austria has been kept on a long leash and allowed to operate a vast number of breweries, while its parent has closed production plants right, left, and centre across the continent.

Brauwelt International is hosting a series of podcasts, which feature the award-winning authors Ina Verstl and Ernst Faltermeier, whose book The Beer Monopoly was published by Hans Carl in 2016. Get their book: The Beer Monopoly

Ina Verstl is Editor of BRAUWELT International and gives insights to the brewing industry in a weekly newsletter.