Irish Brewers Association names new chairperson

Keith Fagan, Sales Director, Molson Coors Ireland, and new chairperson of the Irish Brewers Association

Today, August 3, is International Beer Day, so what better time for the Irish Brewers Association to name its new chairperson, Keith Fagan of Molson Coors Ireland.

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The Irish Brewers Association (IBA), which represents and advocates for the brewing industry in Ireland, has elected Keith Fagan, Country Manager of Molson Coors Ireland, as its new chairperson.  The role became vacant when outgoing chairperson Maggie Timoney, CEO of Heineken Ireland, stepped down due to her appointment as CEO of Heineken USA.

The election of the new chairperson coincides with International Beer Day. Beer has a 45% market share in Ireland, making it by far the most popular alcoholic drink, despite a fall in consumption of 2% between 2016 and 2017.

Speaking on his appointment Keith Fagan said he is honoured to take on the role of chairing the IBA. “The economic contribution of Ireland’s brewing sector is significant,” he said, “and I look forward to both promoting the sector and working with Government and other stakeholders to address the issues facing beer producers in Ireland.”

Regarding the legislative agenda, Fagan said the Association supports the objectives of the controversial Alcohol Bill, but is also concerned about the mandatory health warning label issue, which would almost certainly damage both imports and exports.

“Forcing Irish beer producers to develop labels specifically for the Irish market and a second set of labels for elsewhere will increase complexity in the supply chain and impact the ability of many brewers,” he said, “particularly those smaller craft brewers, to export.

“The IBA wants to work with Government on this matter and urges it to reconsider its position on unnecessary cancer warning labels,” he added, “and for the brewing industry to be treated as the cultural asset it deserves to be – as is evident in other beer producing countries like Germany and Belgium.”

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