Food & Drink

Cocktail bar licensees give top tips for sustainability

22-Nov-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Operators across the country have given tips for running a sustainable cocktail bar after the collision of COP26 and national vegan month this November stressed the need for environmental responsibility.

Cold River Cider offers the perfect balance

22-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

There’s a new cider on the block and it has the lot. Made by Sharp’s Brewery, in collaboration with Aspall, Cold River Cider offers “a unique blend of bitter-sweet and culinary apples creating a crisp, balanced, refreshing cider”.

Brewers and cider-makers crowned at industry ‘Oscars’

19-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

A total of 138 medal and trophy winners have been announced at the 2021 International Brewing & Cider Awards, which took place from 16 to 18 November at the National Brewery Centre in Burton-upon-Trent.

BrewDog to open new bar in third tie-up with Red’s True Barbecue

19-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

BrewDog will open its latest bar at midday today (19 November) with the first 100 customers given the chances to win prizes including free beer for a year.

New products round-up

Anspach & Hobday's Hogarth-inspired beer, Stirling Distillery's charity gin release

19-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Among the new products to be released this week are a beer from a collaboration between Anspach & Hobday and Tate Britain's food and drink operator, proceeds from a new gin at Stirling Distillery to help police sufferers of PTSD, Campari takes...

Brits abandon beer during lockdown

18-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

A decline in beer consumption over the 2020 lockdowns demonstrated the damage done to brewers, who lost a key route to market when pubs were forced to close during the Covid crisis.

The British Guild of Beer Writers 2021 shortlist

17-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

The British Guild of Beer Writers has announced its shortlist of 35 writers, journalists, and bloggers in its Annual Awards with winners to be announced in London on 2 December 2021.

Anspach & Hobday launches crowdfunding campaign

16-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

South London-based craft beer brewer Anspach & Hobday has launched a crowdfunding campaign to improve its production capabilities.

Molson Coors Beverage Company to launch hard seltzer in the UK

16-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Molson Coors Beverage Company’s hard seltzer, Three-Fold, is hitting the UK on-trade with the launch of its first ever draught variation.

Cloudwater rated best independent brewery in UK

16-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Manchester-based Cloudwater Brew Co has been ranked as the best independent brewery in the UK, according to new research that has taken Google ratings and RateBeer scores into consideration.

Mikkeller’s forced to redesign one of its beers

15-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

A complaint made by the Metropolitan Police against artwork for a pale ale, which was upheld by the alcohol industry’s Independent Complaints Panel, has resulted in a redesign for one beer.

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Why rum-based spirits are must-stocks this festive season

15-Nov-2021 By Samantha Newby, Category Director, Captain Morgan

Many consumers will have missed spending time with friends and family within the on-trade over the past year and we can expect people to flock back to pubs and bars this festive season to enjoy celebrating with loved ones.

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Coca-Cola's free drink campaign is returning for Christmas

15-Nov-2021 By Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Coca-Cola’s Hero the Driver campaign is returning to support the hospitality sector over the Christmas period and will be in operation in up to 9,500 venues across Great Britain.

Brewery numbers rise after 2020 drop

12-Nov-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

The number of total independent breweries has increase to 1,902 in 2021 from 1,816 in 2020, new figures have found.

New products round-up

Big Drop releases beer with coffee roaster, Liquid Diamond launches debut still wine

12-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Among the latest new products to hit the market are Leafkicker alcohol-free beer from Big Drop, a Sauvignon Blanc from Liquid Diamond, a hit of blueberries from Blue Aurora wine and if you like Pina Coladas then Soho Street Cocktails has something for...

Gin company forced to change its labels

11-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

The alcohol industry’s independent Complaints Panel has made a precedent changing decision to force Fok Hing Gin to change their labels.

Millennials keeping pubs alive with high-end purchases

11-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Millennials making premium drinks purchases are keeping pubs alive according to worldwide insights group GlobalData.

Black Sheep Brewery rebrands lactose beer to raise awareness of human milk charity

10-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Black Sheep Brewery has announced a new partnership between the Human Milk Foundation (HMF) and its fast-growing bottled beer brand, Milk Stout.

NZ Sauvignon supplies a 'disaster'

10-Nov-2021 By Ed Bedington

Pub operators are being urged to look to alternative Sauvignon Blanc supplies after the New Zealand vintage was described as a “disaster”.

CBD alcohol dying fad despite ‘anti-anxiety’ benefits

09-Nov-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Cannabidiol (CBD)-infused alcohol is a dying craze unlikely to resurface due to the hesitation of larger companies and distrust of customers, said bar operators.

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The UK's favourite cocktails made easy with Funkin Pre-batch products

08-Nov-2021 By Funkin

As the UK returns to its pubs, it seems drinkers are increasingly expecting a wider drinks offering, looking for cocktails they know and love to be on the menu.

Top 50 Cocktail Bars

Top 50 Cocktail Bars awards open for entry

05-Nov-2021 By Top 50 Cocktail Bars

Have you got the best bar team in the country, pride yourself on your sustainable credentials or perhaps you’re new to the bar scene and want to make your mark?

Two breweries offer crowdfunding opportunities

05-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Gloucester Brewery and Lister’s Brewery have both launched crowdfunding campaigns on financing platform Crowdcube.

New products round-up

Brewery launches beer for football team, new gin distillery gears up for third release

05-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

The latest drinks releases include beers from Black Sheep Brewery, Wimbledon Brewery and Vocation, and spirits from Smirnoff, Captain Morgan and The Henley Distillery.

Opinion

Premium vs standard beer - more balance needed on the bar

02-Nov-2021 By Mark Bentley, on-trade category controller, Molson Coors

Anyone reading the trade press or listening to various data & insight experts would be forgiven for thinking that everyone is now drinking premium drinks and that familiar favourites such as core standard lager brands have had their day.

New products round-up

Spirits dominate latest new launches

28-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Whether it's the fiscal boon awarded to the spirits sector through this week's Autumn Budget statement from Chancellor Rishi Sunak or just a buzz for Halloween, spirits are the top hitters for new products this week.

‘Business closures time-bomb next year’ warning issued

27-Oct-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Rising costs in materials including fuel, CO2, energy, bottles, cans and packaging are making it impossible for many small and independent breweries to recover from lockdowns, one trade body has stated.

Pint of beer almost 3x cheaper in supermarkets

26-Oct-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

With the Budget just around the corner, The Morning Advertiser has taken a look at how much cheaper the off-trade can sell a pint at.

Don’t undersell cask beer – it can’t be replicated at home

25-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

“There’s nothing like this.” Some of the more ‘seasoned’ readers may remember this as a hit song for soul singer Omar 30 years again when it peaked at number 14 in the UK music charts. However, the statement also rings true of cask ale.

New products round-up

New serves available to tempt customers

22-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Whiskies, coconut flower beer, Tequilas, a non-alcoholic cider and a remake of classic TV advert are among the latest additions to the new products market.

Heineken UK delists PET bottles, saves 170 tonnes of plastic waste per year

20-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Brewer Heineken UK has delisted all PET bottles from its on-trade network.

BrewDog launches second gold can promotion after complaint upheld

19-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Scottish brewer and pub operator BrewDog has launched another ‘gold can’ campaign despite being on the wrong end of a complaint upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority.

New products round-up

Stay ahead of your rivals with these new products

15-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Vocation’s chocolate and banana stout, TOWIE star’s Prosecco, BrewDog’s Planet Ale and Bankhall Sweet Mash bourbon are among the latest new products.

Matthew Clark and Bibendum raising prices by 3.5%

14-Oct-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Drinks firms Matthew Clark and Bibendum will be putting prices up by 3.5% from November, it has been confirmed.

‘Inflation-busting’ pay rise for GXO drivers

14-Oct-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

A pay rise for 350 GXO drivers and warehouse staff has been agreed, which union Unite said was a “massive milestone in very difficult times”.

Asahi teams up with YouTube vlogger to get cask ale recognised by UNESCO

11-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Asahi UK has teamed up with YouTube vlogger The Craft Beer Channel in a bid to earn UNESCO recognition for cask ale as an example of ‘intangible cultural heritage’.

Where are black leaders in the pub and brewing sector?

11-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

The hospitality industry provided work for some 1.8 million people when the pandemic struck last year, of which 17% of the total workforce from the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) category was represented.

New products round-up

Beavertown autumn beers release and Boston Bakers Irish Whisky among new products

08-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

A host of new products are hitting the market including whiskeys from Boston Bakers and The Busker to beers from Voodoo Ranger and Beavertown plus Romanian wine producer The Iconic Estate's tie-up with Kingsland Drinks.

Average cost of a pint rises 2.1% since 2020

06-Oct-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

The average cost of a pint of draught lager has increased by 9p since August 2020, according to official figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Coronavirus recovery: small brewers seeing strong support from customers despite ongoing challenges

04-Oct-2021 By Michelle Perrett

Small brewers are facing challenges after the Covid-19 pandemic as they attempt to get back to normal trading.

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Autumn International rugby was made for Guinness

04-Oct-2021 By Diageo

With sporting events back in action, there is a fantastic chance for operators to re-engage with multiple occasions and cater for the pent-up demand for quality on trade experiences.

New products round-up

Bumper week for new product launches

01-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Cask Hobgoblin IPA, three vodkas from Masons of Yorkshire and Fuller’s Vintage Ale are among the new products to hit the market this week.

The Portman Group received an ‘unmatched’ number of complaints over Tiny Rebel beers

30-Sep-2021 By Michelle Perrett

Tiny Rebel Brewery has discontinued four of its beer products – Bump ‘N’ Grind, Cherry Bomb, No Capes and Original Nuttah – after a ruling by the drinks watchdog The Portman Group.

On-trade soft drinks and mixer sales down £18.3bn in 2020

27-Sep-2021 By Michelle Perrett

Britain's on-trade soft drink and mixer sales were down £18.3bn in 2020 from £31.1bn in 2019 to £12.8bn in 2020, the Fentimans Market Report 2021 has revealed.

Pubs urged to support Cask Ale Week as sales decline accelerates with pandemic

27-Sep-2021 By Michelle Perrett

Sales of cask beer have fallen by 40% since pubs reopened in April 2021 – a total of 76 million pints, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has revealed.

Theakston unites cask and craft with virtual panel event

24-Sep-2021 By Michelle Perrett

Yorkshire brewery T&R Theakston is set to bring together leading figures from the beer and hospitality trades through a discussion panel, entitled “Cask Meets Craft” to be held on Friday, 1 October at 6pm.

New products round-up

The latest new products to hit the market

24-Sep-2021 By Gary Lloyd

This week’s new products focuses on a variety of spirits, including gins from Boë and Foghouse, plus tea, coffee, beer and ginger ale variants.

Pubs must unite for Cask Ale Week to help save the industry

23-Sep-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Cask ale beers and the breweries that make them will “only survive” if pubs shout about them – and there’s no better time to do so than Cask Ale Week.

Almost half of pub visits are wet-led

22-Sep-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Two in five (42%) visits to pubs are for drink-only occasions, while almost a quarter (24%) of trips to the on-trade are for dinner, new research has revealed.

Robinsons Brewery in pint giveaway for Cask Ale Week

21-Sep-2021 By Michelle Perrett

Stockport based Robinsons Brewery, is launching a 500-pint giveaway campaign for Cask Ale Week, which will run from Thursday 23 September to Sunday 3 October.