Food & Drink

BrewDog releases new draught stout

31-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Independent Scottish brewer and operator BrewDog has expanded its portfolio with the addition of a new draught stout, Black Heart, to its headliner range.

The Cask Project - opinion

Are we missing the best footfall driver?

30-Jan-2023 By Ed Bedington

As January makes way for February and the colder miserable months continue to bite, pubs will be eager to look for ways to drive punters over the threshold.

Soft drinks powering sales in January

30-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Soft drinks were the driving force behind sales at managed venues in the seven days to Saturday 21 January, the latest Drinks Recovery Tracker from CGA by NielsenIQ has revealed.

CAMRA demands support to save further closures

30-Jan-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Consumer organisation the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has called on the Government to deliver a support package to save the nation’s pubs and breweries from shutting.

The Cask Project

Shepherd Neame’s Cask Club returns

27-Jan-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Kent brewer Shepherd Neame has announced it is bringing back its real ale initiative Cask Club next month (February).

new products round-up

VK launches new sugar free range

26-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

This week's round-up features new products from RTD brand VK, Sandford Orchards, Cawston Press and Black Sheep Brewery.

Drinks sales 1% down vs pre-pandemic levels

24-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Average drinks sales in Britain’s managed venues in the week to Saturday 14 January were 1% down vs 2020, the latest Drinks Recovery Tracker from CGA by NielsenIQ has revealed.

Lucky Saint to open pub in March

24-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint is set to open a pub in March in central London.

The cask project – opinion

Seeking the silver bullet(s) to save cask

23-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Writing and compiling stories for The Cask Project has led me to believe the under-threat category of cask ale could be improved vastly with a handful of changes.

Watt: Punk would be £27.50 if in line with energy costs

20-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

BrewDog’s James Watt has warned if its prices rose in line with its energy bills, a pint of Punk IPA would cost £27.50 and the price of a burger and fries would be an eye-watering £48.75.

the cask project

Shepherd Neame stars in podcast hosted by TV star

17-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Kent-based brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame has become the star of a podcast series hosted by TV presenter and food judge Gregg Wallace.

SIBA calls for 20% draught duty discount

16-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has urged the Chancellor to expand the draught duty relief to 20% to help the ailing pubs and brewing sector.

Tracker launched to keep tabs on brewery numbers

13-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The number of breweries in the UK will no longer be a mystery after the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) launched a tracker that shows how many active brewers there are.

NEW PRODUCTS

Uncle Nearest whiskey launches in the UK

13-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

This week's round up features a UK launch from American whiskey brand Uncle Nearest alongside new products from Hogs Back, Provence Wine, Lockdown Liquor & Co, and High Point.

BrewDog to open 100+ bars in India

13-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Scottish brewer and bar operator BrewDog is set to open more than 100 sites in India.

1 in 5 opting for alc-free beer

12-Jan-2023 By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 21% of UK adults would drink booze-free beer as an alcohol alternative at a social occasion where others were drinking alcohol, new research has found.

Beer shop shuts after ‘worst December on record’

11-Jan-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

East-Midlands online beer shop Hoptimism has been forced to shut down after its worst December on record.

Heineken SmartDispense price hike 'unjustified'

11-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Heineken UK is increasing its SmartDispense fees by 9.1% from February.

Breweries recognised as energy intensive

10-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

Breweries have been recognised as energy intensive businesses under the Government’s new Energy Bill Discount Scheme.

BrewDog CEO pays almost £500k to gold can winners

10-Jan-2023 By Rebecca Weller

BrewDog CEO James Watt has paid out £470,000 to winners of the brands “misleading” promotion offering “solid gold” cans of beer.

the cask project

Greene King to launch cask pins

10-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Suffolk-based brewer and pub operator Greene King has claimed to be the first major cask brewer to launch cask pins – a 4.5-gallon unit container – to market this summer following a seven-figure investment.

Curious to ‘double in size’ after Wild Beer buy

09-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Curious Brewery will ‘double’ the size of its operations after acquiring Wild Beer Co’s range of beers after the Somerset brewer entered administration and reportedly made its workforce redundant.

The Lock In Podcast

Price of a pint

09-Jan-2023 By Ed Bedington

How are you handling your pricing? The Lock In team tackle the difficult questions as inflation runs rampant - how much can you put your prices up by?

the cask project

Hogs Back releases two low alcohol beers

06-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Surrey-based Hog Back Brewery has urged communities to support their local pubs this month by launching two low and no alcohol beers and adding new PoS support for its flagship beer.

Hunt is on for breakthrough cider makers

06-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

Cider producer Sandford Orchards has launched the 2023 Breakthrough Cider Maker Awards.

Robbie Williams plans to launch drinks range

04-Jan-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Robbie Williams is reportedly set to rival former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow in the beverage business through launching his own drinks range.

Manchester Brewing Company ceases trading

04-Jan-2023 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Manchester Brewing Company is the latest in a long line of operations forced to shut due to financial pressures, the business announced yesterday.

BBPA urges alcohol-free visits to pubs

03-Jan-2023 By Gary Lloyd

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has urged customers who are abstaining from alcohol to visit their local this month because 85% of pubs now serve alcohol-free beers.

NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP

Guinness 0.0 launches for the on-trade

23-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

This week's round-up features an on-trade debut from Guinness alongside a new gin from Ellers Farm Distillery and a festive relaunch from Salcombe Distilling Co.

The cask project

Four cask beers craft brewer Verdant is putting faith in

22-Dec-2022 By Gary Lloyd

When people go into a pub or bar that serves craft kegged beer, often they are looking for beers from smaller brands such as The Kernel, Wylam and Deya.

Drinks sales 15% ahead of 2021

21-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Average drinks sales in Britain’s managed venues during the seven days to Saturday 10 December were 15% ahead of 2021 levels, the latest Drinks Recovery Tracker from CGA by NielsenIQ has revealed.

New products round-up

New drinks in time for Christmas

16-Dec-2022 By Gary Lloyd

The latest new releases to the market include beers from Hook Norton, Theakston and Chevallier while spirits include Johnnie Walker and Elusive Expressions from Diageo.

the cask project

Let’s make cask ale a true USP

16-Dec-2022 By Mark Bentley, category management controller and beer sommelier, Molson Coors

A fresh pint of cask ale, perfectly served, is one of life’s great pleasures and a genuine unique selling point (USP) of the great British pub.

Promotional content

Franklin & Sons launches ‘Drinks In Trade’ vodcast series

14-Dec-2022 By Franklin & Sons

Franklin & Sons celebrates the remarkably independent and vibrant hospitality industry with the launch of its new vodcast series ‘Drinks In Trade’.

THE CASK PROJECT

Cask category 'building back steadily'

13-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The future for cask is “bright” as the category "builds back steadily" post-pandemic, but more must be done to educate people on the craft of cask, according to Wadworth Brewery managing director Toby Bartholomew.

Toast Ale raises £2m for growth

13-Dec-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Social enterprise brewery Toast Ale has raised more than £2m to grow the positive impact of its business.

Majestic freezes trade prices

12-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Majestic Wine has announced price freezes for its on-trade partners until spring next year.

City Pub Group offering alcohol-free wine

12-Dec-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Multiple operator City Pub Group has revealed it will launch alcohol-free wine Noughty across a number of its pubs from the new year, with plans to expand the roll out across 2023.

Inflation holding sales 'substantially' behind

12-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Average drinks sales by value in Britain’s managed pub, bar and restaurant venues in the seven days to Saturday 3 December were 8% ahead of 2021 levels, the latest Drinks Recovery Tracker from CGA by NielsenIQ has revealed.

NEW PRODUCT'S ROUND-UP

Ridgeview announces new sparkling red

09-Dec-2022 By Rebecca Weller

This week's round-up features a new limited-edition serve from Ridgeview and a debut single malt series from Scapegrace Distillery alongside a unique new beer from Scotland.