Institutions and ownership play a central role in the transformation and development of the beer market and brewing industry. Institutions set the external environment of the brewery through both formal requirements and informal acceptance of company operations by the public. On the other hand, owners and managers adapt to these external challenges while following their own strategic agenda. This book explores the implications of this dynamic for the breweries, discussing how changes in institutions have contributed to the restructuring of the industry and the ways in which breweries have responded, including a craft beer revolution with a surge in demand of special flowered hops, a globalization strategy from the macro breweries, outsourcing by contract brewing, and knowledge exchange for small sized breweries.

Structured in two parts, with a focus on institutions (Part I) and ownership (Part II) respectively, this book examines the link between institutions and governance in one of the most dynamic and innovative industries.