Venue: Postillion Hotel & Convention Centre WTC Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Date: September 6–9, 2026
Project Manager: Marcela Rajtorová

INTRODUCTION

From September 6 to 9, 2026, Rotterdam in the Netherlands became the global capital of brewing science. The modern premises of the Postillion Hotel & Convention Centre WTC Rotterdam hosted the jubilee 40th European Brewery Convention (EBC) Congress. The event was attended by 482 delegates, including leading researchers, brewers, academics, and supply industry representatives from around the world. Following previous editions held in conjunction with the Brewers Forum, the EBC Congress 2026 returned to its original format as a standalone, highly specialized scientific and technical event.

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

The scientific program was fully focused on the most current challenges and innovations in the field. A rich lecture and poster program was divided into two parallel halls and covered a wide range of topics, from cereal and hop breeding to sustainability and the decarbonization of operations.

Great attention was paid this year to the production technologies of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers (NAB/LAB), biotransformation using special yeast strains, and the use of artificial intelligence in analyzing consumer preferences. A significant moment of the Monday program was the ceremonial presentation of the prestigious Ludwig-Narziss-Prize 2026 for contributions to brewing science.

SOCIAL PROGRAM AND NETWORKING

Since brewing is primarily about meeting and sharing experiences, the accompanying program offered extraordinary experiences. It all started with Sunday's Welcome Reception directly in the exhibition area, where delegates had their first networking opportunity in the presence of exhibitors and partners.

An unforgettable atmosphere was brought by Tuesday's Hospitality Evening at Stadshaven Brouwerij – one of the largest independent craft breweries in the Netherlands, located in a beautifully restored, century-old fruit warehouse in the port of Rotterdam. Wednesday afternoon belonged to popular technical excursions to the local breweries Brouwerij Noordt, Kaapse Brouwers, and Amsterdam's Oedipus Brewing, where delegates could take a peek behind the scenes alongside local brewers.

CONCLUSION

The jubilee 40th EBC Congress in Rotterdam demonstrated how dynamic and innovative the brewing industry is. The event offered an ideal balance between cutting-edge academic research and its practical application in the industry.

Great thanks go to the representatives of The Brewers of Europe and EBC for their trust, to the excellent speakers, and to all partners, led by the Platinum Sponsor, Fermentis. Flawless organization and the smooth running of this logistically and technologically complex event were ensured by the GUARANT International team, led by Project Manager Marcela Rajtorová.