'Heineken forced to write down value of business'

Heineken, the Dutch brewer, has taken a hit of €389 million (£343 million) against the Scottish & Newcastle businesses it acquired last year. The company also reported tough trading in the UK as the impact of the economic downturn, two duty rises and the smoking ban sent volumes of Foster's lager 10 per cent lower - double the market's 5.1 per cent decline - The Times​

Brewdog, the Fraserburgh-based brewery, yesterday revealed plans to sell its wares in pubs and clubs and to more than double its production. James Watt, BrewDog's managing director, said the move was a "major leap forward" for the business, which sells bottled beers in 11 countries, including Sweden and the United States - The Scotsman​

A Brighton pub has had its licence suspended for three months after it was caught selling alcohol to underage children on more than one occasion. The licensing committee of Brighton and Hove City Council was told on Monday that the Black Horse in Montague Place failed three test purchases last year - BBC​

When she lost her teenage son to a rare genetic disease, Gail Liley vowed to raise money to help find a cure. She and husband Mark, 53, set up Oliver's Army, a charity named after their 14-year-old son, which is dedicated to researching the disease.They have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds - helped by the proceeds from a pub. Gail, of Orston, near Bingham, runs the village pub and gives all profits to Oliver's Army - This is Nottingham​

People power has prevailed in Wimbledon Village after customers joined forces to keep much loved managers behind the bar of a popular pub. The couple were threatened with dismissal after a theft from the Crooked Billet in Wimbledon Common this Christmas. But, after a campaign by the local community including punters, parents and schools, they have now been allowed to stay - Wimbledon Guardian​

Welcome to the temple of beer... though there's not a drop to drink. Buddhist monks - who believe strongly in the concept of rebirth - have made it by recycling a million beer bottles. Local authorities have been encouraged to deposit empty beer bottles at the Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew complex in north-east Thailand since 1989 - The Mirror​