Food & Drink

New product round-up

New look for London Pride, Canadian craft spirits sign UK deal

19-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

In addition to news of a two-year British and Irish Lions partnership and brand revamp for London Pride, this new products round-up includes updates from a trio of Canadian craft spirits and English Whisky Co.

Parliament to investigate the future of cask beer

18-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

The All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) has launched an inquiry into the future of cask beer in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Big Interview

Seeing £1m St Patrick’s Day support package claimed within ‘a few hours’ set alarm bells ringing

17-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Diageo GB managing director Dayalan Nayager reflects on a St Patrick's Day like no other for the team behind Guinness, and explains why ‘tomato juice moments’ can help the on-trade bounce back from its Covid symptoms.

Content provided by Molson Coors

Planning for a successful re-opening

16-Mar-2021 By Molson Coors

Last year was undoubtedly one of the toughest on record for the hospitality sector. Less than a quarter of 2020 could be considered as ‘normal’ trade, with lockdowns and tiered restrictions being the reality from 20 March onwards and the disruption continuing...

Big Interview – in association with Budweiser Brewing Group

How Budweiser will do things a bit differently on reopening

15-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Jean-David Thumelaire describes 2020 as a ‘weird year’ to be pushing Corona in the on-trade – for obvious reasons. Now, with what he sees as the ‘real’ reopening in sight, he discusses the 'art' of post-pandemic planning.

Low2NoBev Show 2021 dates announced

12-Mar-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

Following the Government’s roadmap plan, the Low2NoBev show is set to go ahead this summer in London.

Allow takeaway pints from next roadmap stage, MPs urge

12-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

MPs have backed a campaign calling for the takeaway alcohol ban to be lifted ahead of beer gardens reopening next month (April).

New product round-up

Shepherd Neame launches first low-alcohol beer, Brothers unveils new flavour duo

12-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

The past week has seen Kent-based brewer Shepherd Neame announce Noughty Bear 0.5% IPA, while cider maker Brothers has announced new Pink Grapefruit and Honeycomb pours.

Pubs to miss out on 12m pint sales this Mother’s Day

12-Mar-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

The trade is set to lose sales worth 12m pints and 3.6m meals, a total of £86m, due to lockdown restrictions being in place for Mother’s Day, one trade body has estimated.

In association with Heineken

The Pub Hub – your questions answered

11-Mar-2021 By MA editorial

The Morning Advertiser and Heineken have teamed up to answer your questions around current coronavirus legislation, finances, reopening and more.

Operators warned of fines for unlicenced cocktail deliveries

11-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub operators have been warned that they need special permission from HMRC for the off-sale of pre-mixed cocktails.

Opinion

‘Colourful history’ of female brewers inspired me

08-Mar-2021 By Sarah John, director, Boss Brewing

Did you know the first ever brewers were women?

International Women's Day 2021

Time to ‘step up’ and showcase female talent in drinks and hospitality

08-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Managing director of the 2020 UK Gin Producer of the Year, Carmen O'Neal distills why she believes International Women's Day has taken on added significance during the Covid-19 pandemic, and why collaboration is key to women continuing to unlock...

Double Dutch launches scholarship for aspiring female bartenders

08-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Premium tonic and mixer brand Double Dutch is celebrating International Women’s Day 2021 by unveiling its Female Bartender Scholarship Programme.

Spring Budget 2021

Budget ‘does nothing for independent breweries’

05-Mar-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Plans outlined in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget, such as the VAT cut extension, will lead to further brewery closures according to one trade body.

New product round-up

Cadbury and Goose Island Creme Egg beer, Didsbury Gin food charity collaboration

05-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Manchester-based Didsbury Gin has announced plans to pour profits from its revived ‘Manchester Tart’ variant into a local food charity, while Goose Island and Cadbury have joined forces to celebrate a 50th birthday.

Spring Budget 2021

Chancellor extends beer, cider, wine and spirits duty freeze

03-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has announced that planned duty increases on alcoholic drinks have been cancelled.

Online event

Free samples: The Virtual New Products Showcase

01-Mar-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

Want to get your hands on the hottest new products soon to hit the on-trade? If you’re a pub or bar operator with responsibility over purchasing decisions, then we’d love to hear from you!

Slash beer duty at the Budget to revive pub sector, MPs urge

26-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Some 68 Conservative MPs have urged the Chancellor to slash beer duty in the Budget next week, saying this would encourage punters back to the pub.

New product round-up

3 Michelin-star chef-inspired gin, Tanqueray creates alcohol-free pour, new spirits' profit pledges

26-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Alongside the launch of a gin inspired by the cuisine of Anne-Sophie Pic and a low and no Tanqueray variant, Equiano Rum Co and Elephant Gin have pledged to donate respective profits their new spirit launches to Anti-Slavery International and African...

Opinion

'Back to normal’ no longer enough for pubs

26-Feb-2021 By Paul Davies, CEO, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company

Paul Davies, chief executive officer of Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC), outlines much-needed measures from the Chancellor’s Budget on 3 March to protect the future of the brewing, pub and hospitality industries.

In association with Thatchers

The A to Z of pub cider

22-Feb-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

A strong cider offer should be the apple of any pub operator’s eye as the on-trade looks towards the resumption of trade in time for summer.

New product round-up

Kopparberg Passionfruit & Orange Cider launch, limited editions from Eden Mill and Compass Box

19-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

This latest new product round-up includes more pours from Kopparberg, Eden Mill, Compass Box and TW Kempton.

Jodie Kidd implores Chancellor to slash beer duty to save pubs

17-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Operator and model Jodie Kidd has implored Chancellor Rishi Sunak to slash beer duty in the Budget next month.

New product round-up

Ryan Reynolds unveils Wrexham AFC gin, Super Bock UK partnership, ‘World’s first’ Indian white spiced rum

12-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

This new product round-up includes news of UK rollouts for the ‘world’s first’ Indian white spiced rum and Portuguese pour Super Bock as well as a limited-edition release of Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin.

Chapel Down disposes of Curious Drinks to Risk Capital Partners

09-Feb-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

English winemaker Chapel Down has announced the disposal of its Curious Drinks business and assets, including the Curious Beer and Cider brands as well as the Curious Brewery and restaurant in Ashford, Kent.

Carlsberg predicts 'dramatic surge' in demand

08-Feb-2021 By MCA Insight

Carlsberg's CEO is expecting a surge in demand this summer similar to a boom seen a century ago as more people are vaccinated and lockdowns lift, according to reports in The Financial Times.

87m pints of beer wasted since start of pandemic

05-Feb-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Up to 87m pints of beer may have been wasted, costing the industry £331m, since the coronavirus crisis began.

New product round-up

‘England’s first’ carbon-negative gins, Queer Brewing unveils core range, Tanqueray creates Blackcurrant serve

05-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

The latest new product round-up includes 'firsts' from UK-based gin distillers, more pours from premium gin brand Tanqueray and new brews from Queer Brewing.

Opinion

‘Dry January not about giving up on pubs’

02-Feb-2021 By Debbie Baisden, the Rayleigh Arms, Terling, Essex

The start of 2021 saw me take on the challenge of Dry January, to be totally honest it is not the first year I’ve completed this journey.

Brixton Brewery fully acquired by Heineken

02-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Drinks giant Heineken has acquired Brixton Brewery in full having purchased a minority stake in the south-London beermaker three years ago.

Parliamentary pub sales top £280,000 in 2020 with £20k spent since lockdown one

01-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Wet sales across the Parliamentary Estate’s pub and bars since the UK's first national lockdown totalled more than £20,000 – with many drink prices found beneath both on-trade averages and those of nearby sites.

New product round-up

Absolut Vodka unveils paper bottle, New York Distilling Company and Trois Rivières distribution deals

29-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

This not so dry January product round-up includes news from Eden Mill, Campari UK, Mangrove UK and Absolut Vodka.

Big Interview

‘The UK has been the example at times of how not to support the hospitality sector’

28-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Searching ‘can dogs get Covid-19’ on Google yields about 3.2bn results. But rather than sift through them all, The Morning Advertiser spoke to David McDowall for a case study of BrewDog’s pandemic symptoms.

Big brewers ‘deferring annual beer price hike’

27-Jan-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Most brewers are postponing beer price increases until later in the year, The Morning Advertiser (MA) can reveal.

New product round-up

Israel’s ‘first whisky’ lands in UK, Big Drop unveils Nordic brews, Beavertown launches High Priestess

22-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

An international flavoured new product round-up features new brews created in tandem with beer makers in Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Finland as well as new distribution deals for an Israeli whisky and a Danish spirit maker.

Pubs need to reopen when shops do, says Admiral Taverns boss

20-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

There is no reason for pubs to remain closed until May, the chief executive of Admiral Taverns has said.

MP joins calls for takeaway booze ban U-turn

19-Jan-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

An MP has echoed calls of trade bodies urging the Government reverses its decision to ban pubs serving takeaway alcohol.

'Don't let a coffee cost a life' message considered by Government

15-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government is reportedly drafting hard-hitting adverts designed to make the public think twice before leaving home for a takeaway drink.

Festive freefall sees pub and bar takings plummet by more than 80%

15-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

The latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker has revealed the dire consequences of December’s Covid restrictions and enforced closures for hospitality sales.

New product round-up

January brews: Marston’s, West Berkshire Brewery and Signature Brew announce more pours

15-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

This week’s new product round-up includes a low calorie pour from Marston’s, a low and no entry from Signature Brew and a new partnership for West Berkshire Brewery.

BrewDog offering 4 beers for free to everyone in UK

11-Jan-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Scottish brewer and operator BrewDog is giving everyone in the UK a free four pack of its Lost Lager as part of the launch of the new brew.

Hogs Back Brewery offers up space for drive-through vaccine centre

11-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Hogs Back Brewery has joined the likes of BrewDog, Oakman Inns and Loungers in offering the UK's vaccination effort a shot in the arm by suggesting that the NHS use its facilities to store and distribute Covid-19 jabs.

new product round-up

BrewDog launches Elvis AF, Phillip Schofield adds to wine range

08-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

The first new product round-up of 2021 includes another low and no twist on a BrewDog staple and TV’s Phillip Schofield adding a second wine to his growing range.

Innis & Gunn signs distribution and sales deal, with C&C taking 8% share

07-Jan-2021 By Nicholas Robinson

Scottish craft brewer Innis & Gunn has signed a new long-term sales and distribution deal with manufacturer C&C to sell its beers in the UK and Ireland.

Pubs shouldn't turn into off-licences, supermarkets free to sell alcohol

07-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has said pubs should not try to “repurpose” themselves so they can sell alcohol to customers on-site while supermarkets face no additional rules.

Operators 'should be extremely careful' with delivery locations

07-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Deliveries from pubs should only be to fixed addresses, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy has confirmed to The Morning Advertiser (MA).

Brains brewery may be relocated to England

06-Jan-2021 By MCA Insight

Brains beer may be relocated to England due to a failure to find a buyer for the iconic Welsh brewery business, ITV News reports.

Commons speaker pledges more low and no drinks in Parliament’s post-Covid bars

05-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP has backed efforts to increase the number of low and no alcohol drinks in the House of Commons bars once the coronavirus pandemic has subsided.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

Either 'pretty damn brave, or very foolhardy’ to launch a brewery during an international crisis

31-Dec-2020 By Russ Clarke, Amity Brew Co

Though West Yorkshire-based brewer Russ Clarke describes 2020 as ‘a dumpster fire’, it was also the year he fulfilled a dream by opening his own brewery.