Craft beer stardom beckons for GEA Brewery Systems

Jens Neidhardt, sales director, GEA Brewery Systems talks craft brewing trends and why the firm chose to launch its more compact Craft-Star brewhouse in 2013.

“Craft brewing is a very attractive market, and we’re targeting the top 10-20% with this unit,” Jens Neidhardt, sales director, GEA Brewery Systems tells BeverageDaily.com, explaining that, although this brewhouse (pictured) sits at the bottom of GEA’s range in terms of size, it nonetheless suits larger-sized craft brewers.

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The US kicked off the craft brewing craze more than 20 years, but across Europe there’s a huge craft brewing scene, Neidhardt explains, even in Germany now.

That said, the scene in Germany is not as advanced as it is in Denmark or in Italy, say, he adds, while interest is also growing in France.

“It’s a trend that’s really catching on further afield, in places like Russia even, and worldwide,” Neidhardt says.