International beer pow wow comes to Yorkshire

The University of York is set to stage an international brewing industry festival which aims to highlight issues affecting the industry.

‘Beeronomics 2013’ will be hosted by the University’s York Management School and will include speakers such as Mike Benner, chief executive of CAMRA; Andrew Tighe, policy director of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).

International expertise in the form of Charles Bamforth, Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Brewing Science at the University of California, will also grace the stage.

Dr Ignazio Cabras, from the York Management School and Chair of the conference Steering Committee, said: “We have organised a series of events to run alongside the main academic conference. In particular, delegates will meet representatives of City of York Council and a number of local brewers in two separate events at the Mansion House and the Guildhall, and will have the chance to visit the annual York Beer Festival at the Knavesmire.

“These events represent invaluable opportunities, especially for those international academics and researchers who will register for the conference to engage with the British brewing industry.

“For those unable to attend the whole conference, the one-day pass allows entrance to the panel debate - which provides an opportunity for the brewing industry to enter a constructive dialogue with policy-makers about the issues affecting them – as well as keynote speeches.”

This is the first time Beeronomics has been held in the UK and will draw academics, businesses and policy makers to debate topics such as policy, marketing and consumption, and innovation.

Professor David Higgins, from the York Management School and Chair of the Scientific Committee, said: “We have received an impressive array of papers covering issues which have direct policy relevance, for example: taxation; the human and social impact of alcohol consumption, and the determinants of consumer choice.

“In addition, the academic programme addresses more specialist topics including brands and identity, industrial concentration and the growth and development of micro-brewing and micro-brewers. One of the key attractions of this conference is that these themes are examined from a variety of geographical, political economy, and methodological perspectives.”

The conference runs from September 18-21. More info is available here.