Boulder, CO — To further American craft beer promotion and education in Europe, the Brewers Association (BA)—the non-profit trade association dedicated to American small and independent craft brewers—has hired Sylvia Kopp as its American Craft Beer Ambassador in Europe.
Kopp will support export growth to the region by facilitating and fostering relationships between U.S. exporters and European importers and distributors, as well as educating trade and media about the quality and diversity of products offered by the U.S. craft beer industry, about U.S. craft beer culture, and about proper care and handling for craft beer.
“American craft beer is enjoying a global renaissance,” said Bob Pease, chief executive officer, Brewers Association. “Sylvia’s knowledge, experience and connections will prove valuable as she works to further promote and educate Europeans about beers produced by small and independent American brewers.”
As one of Germany’s leading beer sommeliers, Kopp is co-founder and leader of Berlin Beer Academy, a school for trade professionals and consumers devoted to exploring the pleasures of beer. She is a jury member at international beer competitions including the World Beer Cup®, European Beer Star and Brussels Beer Challenge. In September 2014, her book Barley & Hops: The Craft Beer Book was released by Gestalten publishers in English and German.
“There’s a steady demand for American craft beer across Europe and I am pleased to connect these regions over a common affinity for craft,” added Kopp. “Through our work, we will be able to achieve the export development goals of the Brewers Association.”
The Brewers Association’s Export Development Program (EDP) supports American craft brewers’ efforts to export their beers abroad. Globally, American craft beer export volume increased by 35.7 percent in 2014, representing 383,422 barrels and an estimated $99.7 million. In Western Europe, craft beer exports were up 37 percent.
Since its inception in 2004, the EDP has worked to educate international trade and media about the quality and diversity of products offered by the U.S. craft beer industry and about the U.S. craft beer culture; inform member breweries about opportunities for their products in key international target markets and complement the industry’s own efforts to increase international distribution.
About the Brewers Association
The Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than 70 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup®, Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America®, SAVOR℠: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, AHA National Homebrewers Conference, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week®. The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine and its Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.
Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association. Follow us on Twitter.
The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.