Interesting choice of logo

Not surprisingly perhaps the July issue of Drinks Business runs quite a long article on the InBev bid for Anheuser Busch, brewers of Budweiser. Very surprisingly, it kicks off with an illustration of arch rival, Budweiser Budvar's logo. Budvar UK's public relations controller, Denis Cox takes a benign view of the mishap. "The publication does describe itself, and I quote, as "being aimed at CEOs, MDs, directors, buyers, marketing and PR managers and leading professionals within the wine and spirits industry" so I suppose the editorial team doesn't have to know much about beer, let alone the 100-year trademark dispute between the two brands". All in all, Cox said he was delighted with Budvar's unscheduled appearance. "Very rarely do we get a mention in Drinks Business and in the battle of the dinosaurs our trademark dispute seems to have been forgotten — until now. Thank you Drinks Business."

CGA's serving suggestion

Snifter's friends at CGA Strategy note that Korova Corporation is tightening its grip on Liverpool nightlife with a new Irish-American beer hall, Raven. It offers excellent food in the form of quality pork pies and corned beef hash. Squeamish CGA researchers, though, are not sure about wooden serving platters. Says one: "Great design, but as likely to see food on the floor as in your mouth as staff struggle to get them to the table."

Going, going... still not gone

You see some odd things on eBay. There's an auction for a limited edition bottle of Newcastle Brown featuring the Angel of the North, the bridge and gold medallions. The back label gives details about the Angel — and the Star of the North, Newcastle Brown Ale. Bidding is starting at 99p with no reserve. When Snifter last checked on Tuesday there were, as yet, no bidders. Maybe the £3 packing & postage charge was putting folks off.

Thirsty work, being a fan

Here's a glimpse of what England fans missed in Euro 2008. Carlsberg, a tournament sponsor, said more than 1.5m litres of its beer were sold in the eight fanzones that hosted ticketless supporters of the competing nations. And what's more, sales of Carlsberg's non-alcoholic beers at the stadia, where alcohol is banned, were up 30% by volume compared to Portugal in 2004.

Globe plans to show its cards

Holding poker nights in the pub seems to be a pretty good way of boosting trade. A well-known brewer has some pretty conclusive evidence to support this assertion. Now Globe Pub Company, the tenanted operator owned by Robert Tchenguiz, reports that initial results on its trial poker nights "have been encouraging and therefore a second batch of activity is being created". It should be in place by September on the basis, Snifter supposes, that poker is more popular when the nights draw in.