50 new breweries are opening a year in France?! Did I get that right? Looks like the beer scene is much improving.
I dunno where they got their numbers, and most of these breweries are opening because of the new 'autoentrepreneur' work status which "allows" you to have a side job. I would not be surprised if most of these breweries are of dubious quality. I know that mine is (I did the autoentrepreneur thing for Doughboy and we have made exactly no beer).
It's certainly easier to start a brewery here because there are very very few health regulations. And you can see that in the beer that gets made. Lots of infection, lots of 'hot' from lack of fermentation temp control. I know a brewer who sells a decent amount of beer here, he ferments in plastic carboys in his non-temperature-controlled attic.
Having said that, there are some really great breweries popping up these days. The other guys just need to get the education.