Cardiff-based brewer SA Brains has appointed Refresh UK to distribute its canned and bottled beers from February 2006.
The move is part of Brains' goal to achieve a four-fold increase in take-home sales over the next five years. Sales of Brains' beers outside Wales have reached an all-time high since its sponsorship of the Welsh rugby union team began in June 2004.
Pitcher & Piano to open after refurb
The Pitcher & Piano in York will open again on 24 November following an extensive refurbishment. The bar, set on the River Ouse, has retained its period features, with exposed bricks, while individual booths have been added to provide greater intimacy. The York venue is the 17th Pitcher & Piano to have a refurbishment since July 2003.
Drunken assaults at pubs drop 57%
There has been a 57% fall in alcohol-related assaults in and around pubs in the Angel and Upper Street areas of Islington, north London. Police and fire service officers took part in regular checks of premises and a pubwatch group was formed. Free seminars on crime prevention, best practice and drug awareness were also made available to licensees.
Police latch on to card plan for yobs
Police in Brighton are the latest to take up the idea of issuing hooligans with football-style yellow and red cards. Drunken yobs in pubs and clubs will be served with yellow cards and their details passed to Sussex Police and the Business Crime Reduction Partnership. Anyone receiving three warnings will be barred from pubs and clubs.
Hospital hooligans facing pubs ban
Millom and Haverigg pubwatch has decided to ban drunken yobs in Cumbria who are abusive to hospital staff from all licensed venues. Drinkers causing problems at West Cumberland Hospital and Furness General Hospital could be barred from 30 venues including pubs, shops and off-licences.
Scientist: beer can help battle cancer
American scientist Fred Stevens claims that beer can help fight cancer. He found cancer-fighting properties in the compound Xanthohumol found in hops. It is believed Xanthohumol can help prevent breast, ovarian, colon and prostate cancer. It can also inhibit tumour growth.