Food & Drink

Real deal: one quarter of UK consumers agree that meat substitutes that are similar to meat do appeal

Global food trends for 2018

By Nikkie Sutton

Operators need to be transparent about what they are serving consumers, sensitive to ongoing health trends and to consider the texture of food, according to latest global food trends data from Mintel.

Gin doom? WSTA issues warning ahead of Budget

Gin boom could be ruined by tax increase

By Nicholas Robinson

A horrendous tax bill could choke the dramatic growth of the British gin industry if the Chancellor does not freeze duty on spirits, according to the drinks trade in a desperate plea to the Government.

Hop for joy: revellers celebrate as Hogs Back Brewery completes third crop harvest

British-grown hops reduce Brexit effect, says brewery

By Fred A'Court

With some imported hops costing 60% more than a year ago, Surrey-based Hogs Back Brewery says it is benefiting from its decision to grow its own varieties on a 3.5-acre plot adjacent to its brewery near Farnham.

Driving sales: investment in Bud Light's launch is impacting UK sales

Bud Light drives AB InBev’s UK sales

By Nicholas Robinson

Global beer giant AB InBev (ABI) has reported strong growth in the UK, driven by the launch of Bud Light earlier this year, according to a third-quarter update.

Duty reduction hopes: new chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group Mike Wood

Brexit could mean lower beer duty, says new APPBG chair

By Michelle Perrett

A review of the beer duty system to give more favourable rates to the pub sector is impossible until the UK leaves the European Union, the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) chairman Mike Wood and Conservative MP for Dudley South, has claimed.

Overall winners: Camden Town Brewery took this year's Grand Prix award

Pete Brown: brands making a mark

By Pete Brown

The best of marketing in beer and cider is in rude health, as Pete Brown found at this year’s Marketing Awards.

No go: some 20% of Brits are choosing not to drink alcohol

Future drinks trends: tapping into a health kick

By Nicholas Robinson

Predicting the next big thing is a lot easier said than done. However, there is general agreement at the moment that people are increasingly health conscious and that pubs and bars would be well advised to cater for this trend.

On the road: pub showcase could encourage more overseas tourists to visit British pubs

Mock pub aims to drive UK tourism and beer exports

By Fred A'Court

A British pub set-up complete with bar, seating areas and even an iconic red telephone box at overseas trade shows could also be used to boost beer exports – with the added bonus of visiting a pub as a ‘must do’ activity during a visit to the UK.

Different dishes: the site will offer guests a variety of meals

Hook Norton opens new Malthouse Kitchen

By Nikkie Sutton

Hook Norton Brewery is opening a new Malthouse Kitchen site next month (Thursday 9 November) to cater for its increasing visitor numbers.

Drink up: Beer mats urge punters to complain to MPs about beer duty

Beer mats carry a pub health warning, about beer tax

By Fred A'Court

It’s enough to make you cry into your beer! Drinkers can now stare through the bottom of their glass at a beer mat featuring the word ‘tax’ – something no one really wants to read about but a necessary evil given the financial pressures pubs are facing.

Too high: tax on the UK wine sector is worrying producers

English wine threatened by increased duty

By Nicholas Robinson

English sparkling wine producers may be put under unnecessary pressure if Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond implements proposals to raise tax on the sector.

Just rewards: Robinsons wins at four beer awards

Robinsons brewery snags 20 beer awards

By Nicholas Robinson

Family-owned Robinsons Brewery has walked away with no fewer than 20 accolades at several high-profile beer awards, including the World Beer Awards.

Top tip: the free-from category remains the number one food trend

Look into the future of food

By Nikkie Sutton

Pubs need to tap into the future when it comes to food trends, whether that’s a year or 10 down the line. Experts outline which categories are the ones to watch.

Not too expensive: BrewDog co-founder defends the price of his beer

BrewDog co-founder defends the price of his beer

By James Beeson

BrewDog co founder James Watt has launched a staunch defence of the price of the brewery’s beer in supermarkets, as the Scottish brewery launches the fifth round of its Equity For Punks (EFP) crowdfunding initiative.

Old and new: rebranded Fuller's pump clip

Fuller’s rebrands London Pride

By Nicholas Robinson

London brewer and pub operator Fuller’s has rebranded its flagship cask ale London Pride, launching it with a new social media campaign and countrywide pump clip changeover.

Profits up: Doombar drives growth

More investment for Sharp’s Brewery

By Nicholas Robinson

Molson Coors-owned Sharp’s Brewery has outlined expansion plans in recently filed accounts, which show growing sales and pre-tax profits.

How to avoid #ginproblems

International Gin and Tonic Day

Real #GinProblems pubs can help customers avoid

By Nicholas Robinson

Brits have taken to Twitter to vent their real-life and sometimes worrying gin problems, which range from no tonic to too much gin choice. Here are #GinProblems pubs can help their customers avoid this International Gin and Tonic Day.

She's back: Melanie Sykes on her way to the pub before last orders

Boddingtons confirms Mel Sykes is back on brand

By Nicholas Robinson

AB InBev-owned Boddingtons has announced television personality Melanie Sykes will feature in a new advertising campaign more than 20 years after the first famous ad aired.

Heritage: The ciders are named after the actual vats used to mature the product

Sheppy’s Cider makes move into cans

By James Beeson

Traditional cider maker Sheppy’s has unveiled two premium varieties of canned cider, the company’s first foray into the dispense method.

Rising from the ashes: RTDs set to grow again, claims producer

Ready-to-drink brands ‘will rise again’

By Nicholas Robinson

The producer of several ready-to-drink brands including Hooch, VK, Hoopers and newly launched Crooked has claimed the category is ripe for a restart, predicting rising category sales in the near future.

Controversial: Tennents' advert alleges Molson Coors has been

Tennent's takes swipe at Carling with new advert

By James Beeson

Scottish brewer Tennent's has called on consumers to switch over to its “honest lager”, which it claims is brewed to a “refreshingly accurate 4% ABV” in a new advertising campaign.

Ghoulish: give customers a right fright on Halloween

Scare their pants off – top tips for Halloween in the pub

By Nicholas Robinson

Everyone loves a theme, especially around Halloween. Whether it is a spooky drinks menu, a ghoulish food offer or a full-blown American-style fancy dress party, Halloween is the perfect time of year to boost sales.

Promiscuous: Only 34% of drinkers have a local

Just one in three drinkers have a ‘local’

By James Beeson

Only 34% of drinkers identify as having one pub or drinking establishment they use ‘most of the time’ according to new data from the 2017 Marston’s On Trade Ale Report.

Failing to deliver: Purity co-founder Paul Halsey (left) says good cask ale is vital

Cask beer key to survival of pubs, says Purity Brewing

By James Beeson

Championing the “completely unique” experience of cask beer and focusing on “great service, great beer and great food” will help pubs survive challenging on-trade conditions, according to The Good Pub Guide’s brewery of the year.

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