The 14th Ibero-American Symposium of the VLB took place in Mexico City from September 2 to 4, 2024. With 230 participants from 22 nations, this event once again proved its status as one of the most important communication and knowledge platforms for technical managers in the brewing industry in Latin America.

(BF) Since 2008, the Ibero-American Symposium of VLB Berlin has firmly established itself in the Latin American language region as a top-class specialist event for technical managers from the brewing and beverage industry. This year, the renowned technology forum took place in Mexico for the third time (after 2011 and 2019). With a population of around 128 million and an annual beer production of an impressive 142 million hectoliters, Mexico is the fourth largest beer nation in the world after Brazil and the world's leading beer exporter. The biggest players in the local brewing sector are Grupo Modelo (AB InBev), Heineken Mexico and Constellation Brands. However, a lively craft beer scene has also established itself.

The conference began with a visit to the Heineken brewery in Toluca, some 40 km west of Mexico City. The technical presentations began on the second day. Roberto Biurrun, coordinator for Latin America and Spain at the VLB, opened the event and welcomed the participants. This was followed by a densely packed, technically oriented programme of presentations covering current aspects and innovations in the areas of brewing raw materials, brewhouse technology, fermentation & yeast management, sustainability and the digitalization of brewing processes.

The lectures were presented by experts from the VLB, invited speakers from breweries and competent industry representatives. As usual, the symposium was held in English and Spanish with simultaneous translation. The presentations were attended by an interested audience of experts who were keen to engage in discussion. A dinner on the evening of the second day, sponsored by Ziemann Holvrieka, Constellation Brands and Rovi Ingenieria, rounded off the event.

"On behalf of the VLB and all participants, we thank our speakers and especially Heineken Mexico, Constellation Brands and our Platinum Sponsor Ziemann Holvrieka for supporting this symposium," said Roberto Biurrun, lead organizer of the VLB Ibero-American Symposium since 2015.

The next (15th) Ibero-American Symposium of the VLB will take place from November 10 to 12, 2025 in Paraná, Brazil, with the support of Cooperativa Agraria. As a novelty, two workshops on sensory analysis and packaging will be offered after the main event.