This year we had the honour of hosting the prestigious Lille 2024 Brewery Congress – 39th EBC Congress and 6th edition of The Brewers Forum, which in the previous year was held under the name Brewers Forum 2023. This time the congress took place outside our home borders, directly in Lille, France. It took place from 26 to 30 May 2024 at the Lille Grand Palais. This impressive venue provided the ideal backdrop for discussions and knowledge sharing on the latest innovations and trends in the brewing industry.

The congress programme was rich and started with a gala reception on Sunday 26 May at the Lille Grand Palais. The following days brought a series of expert presentations, workshops and panel discussions that covered a wide range of topics, from brewing technologies to sustainable practices to marketing strategies.

During the congress, there was a rich social programme almost every day, starting with a welcome reception on Sunday evening. The networking evening, which took place on Tuesday at the Fermentis Campus, was very popular. The campus is known for its focus on innovation in brewing and fermentation. The programme culminated with a closing reception at Bazaar St-So, a cultural and social centre in Lille, known for its unconventional environment and artistic focus.

On Wednesday and Thursday, technical excursions awaited the participants, which were also held during Wednesday. A total of 11 visits were scheduled, including tours of facilities such as Fermentis, a leader in yeast and fermentation solutions, BRASSERIE DU BORINAGE – a traditional Belgian brewery known for its authentic beer production and deep roots in the local brewing culture, and BRASSERIE 3 MONTS – a French brewery that combines traditional practices with modern technology, among many others.

The event enjoyed the interest of 715 participants and 105 exhibitors.

Our thanks go to all the participants, organisers and sponsors, especially the main sponsor Fermentis, for their support and contribution to the success of this important professional event in the brewing industry.