Food & Drink

Joseph Holt secures £25m refinancing deal

28-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Joseph Holt has agreed a £25m deal with the Royal Bank of Scotland to support further growth plans to the brewer's pub estate, brewery and developing new products.

BrewDog U-turn on Lone Wolf pub name row

27-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

BrewDog has blamed its lawyers after it came under fire for making a Birmingham pub change its name by threatening legal action. 

Black Sheep Brewery releases cans into the on-trade

27-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Black Sheep Brewery has announced the launch of its first craft canned range for pubs and bars as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.

Asahi UK launches Peroni Ambra

27-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

Asahi UK is extending the Peroni brand with the launch of a new 'aperitivo-inspired' beer, Peroni Ambra.

New London brewery Magic Spells reveals three beers

27-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

New craft brewery Magic Spells has launched in East London with the release of three brews to the UK on-trade. 

WSTA warns Government over post-Brexit bootlegging

27-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned Government that if Brexit talks do not achieve frictionless borders, delays and gridlocks at ports will “encourage the resurgence of alcohol smugglers”.

BrewDog under fire after forcing independent pub to change its name

27-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

BrewDog has come under fire for forcing an independent Birmingham pub to change its name by threatening it with legal action. 

ALMR: obesity solutions should not burden operators

27-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has reiterated its message that the trade is keen to help tackle childhood obesity but without the burden falling on licensees.

Veltins plans to invest £7.7m in technology and processes

27-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

German brewer Veltins has revealed plans to invest more than £7m in the modernisation of its logistics facilities.

Britvic to pass on cost of sugar levy to customers

24-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Soft drinks giant Britvic, the manufacturer of products including Pepsi, will pass the cost of the sugar levy on to its customers, GB managing director Paul Graham has confirmed.

World’s first ‘drip-free’ wine bottle unveiled by US scientist

24-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

The days of near-unavoidable tablecloth stains may be nearing their end, with a US scientist unveiling the world’s first drip-free wine bottle. 

Coffee shops to become ‘new local’ outnumbering pubs by 2030

24-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Coffee shops are set to outnumber pubs by 2030 becoming “the new local”, according to a new report.

Yorkshire’s ‘first gin bar’ to open next month

24-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Inspired by the surge in popularity of gin, Yorkshire is set to receive its ‘first gin bar’ and distillery next month.

British women rate craft beer and ale as ‘tipple of choice’

24-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Craft beer and ale is now the top tipple of choice among British women according to a survey conducted on behalf of Nicholson’s Pubs.

Meantime launches double IPA based on head brewer’s DNA

23-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

Asahi UK-owned craft brewer Meantime is launching a limited edition double IPA based on the DNA of its lead brewer.

Low-calorie Skinny wine to roll out across M&B pubs

23-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) will introduce new wine brand The Skinny Fizz across a large segment of its pub estate next month.  

Category update

Soft drinks are on the up

23-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The soft drinks category has seen a rise in volume and value according to statistics from CGA Strategy.

Wild Beer Co smashes £1m crowdfunding target for new brewery

22-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

Somerset-based brewer Wild Beer Co has smashed its target to raise £1m via crowdfunding for a new brewery with days still to go until its fundraising campaign ends.

Vimto poised to make big push into pubs

22-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Soft-drinks maker and distributor Nichols is set to make a bigger push of its brands, including Vimto and Feel Good, into the pub trade.

Heineken says Tesco cull has ‘no impact’ for on-trade business

22-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Heineken has reassured the pub sector that despite Tesco slashing its range of the brand’s products in half it will have “no impact” for its on-trade business.

Scottish whisky workers: UK Government ‘asleep on the job’ over Brexit

22-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

Scottish whisky workers have called for greater transparency around the effects of leaving the EU on their trade. 

Tennent's brewer launches ‘premium’ bottled ales

21-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Tennent's lager maker the C&C Group has launched three bottled ales in response to increased consumer demand for premium beers.

Winners of first independent English wine competition announced

21-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The inaugural winners of the Independent English Wine Awards (IEWA) have been unveiled after judging took place last week.

BBPA: beer should have been included in low-strength consultation

21-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has hit out at the Government’s low-strength consultation, which focused on wine and cider, because beer was not included.

Gluten-free brewer is DEFRA’s exporter of the year

21-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Independent Manchester brewer First Chop Brewing Arm has been recognised as the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) exporter of the year at its Food is Great event, hosted by environment secretary Andrea Leadsom last night (20 March).

Video

Molson Coors: ‘a responsibility to support pubs’

21-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Beer distributor and brewer Molson Coors has promised to uphold its support to help save the 'Great' British pub after launching a new campaign last week.

Category update

How the RTD category can grow sales in pubs

20-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Ready-to-drink (RTD) brands must change their image if they are to remain relevant to modern consumers and thrive in the coming years, WKD producers SHS Drinks has claimed.

SIBA unveils UK Brewery Business of the Year 2017

20-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

London-based Fourpure has been named UK Brewery of the Year 2017 by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) at its annual awards.

Boddingtons reunites with Melanie Sykes at the Publican Awards

16-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

AB InBev has announced the return of an iconic brand partnership by reuniting Boddingstons and TV presenter Melanie Sykes two decades after the first airing of the much-loved adverts.

Grape expectations: how wine is evolving in the pub sector

16-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

Ordering a glass of house wine in the local used to result in receiving a drink that tasted more like sulphuric acid than Syrah. Thankfully for customers’ stomach linings, those days are over. 

JD Wetherspoon to slash 7.5% off food and drink at 900+ pubs

16-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) chairman Tim Martin will hack 7.5% off all food and drink prices for one day across his 900+ pub estate later this year to demonstrate the effect a VAT cut could have on the hospitality industry. 

BrewDog admits talks to sell almost a third of business

16-Mar-2017 By James Wallin, MCA

Scottish brewer and pub operator BrewDog has admitted it is considering the timescale for a potential initial public offering (IPO) and has been in discussion with investors about selling almost a third of the company.

UK’s best brews honoured at International Brewing & Cider Awards

14-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

UK brewers cleaned up at the annual International Brewing Awards this week.

Courage teams up with Southwark Brewing Co to 'return to its roots'

14-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Courage will make its return to London brewing for the first time after years away from the capital in collaboration with Southwark Brewing Co to celebrate its 230th anniversary.

Heineken launches new non-alcoholic beer

13-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

Heineken is launching a new, non-alcoholic version of its flagship lager, The Morning Advertiser can reveal. 

A timeline: how BrewDog became what it is today

13-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Thatcher

From its conception with two employees and a dog in 2007 to its global success of today, The Morning Advertiser sets out the history of BrewDog – warts and all.

Heineken launches new Desperados 'Dos' double Tequila flavoured beer

13-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

Heineken has launched a new variant of its Tequila-flavoured beer, Desperados, aimed at drawing in younger, late-night drinkers. 

Exclusive

New Diageo boss outlines spirit giant's big plans

13-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Diageo’s UK operations are in good form, but the spirit giant’s new boss Charles Ireland has big plans to shake things up while he’s in office

Molson Coors launches ‘save the pub’ campaign

13-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Drinks giant Molson Coors has launched a direct attack on the UK’s “one-size-fits-all” global coffee shop culture by revealing its save the great British pub campaign.

Craft soda maker lands big Greene King deal

10-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Fledgling independent craft soda maker Dalston’s has landed a contract to supply 150 Greene King pubs in London, a sign the segment is primed to “blow up”.

Gin's rising popularity moves Ginposium to larger venue

10-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Increased interest in gin and previous sell out events has forced the Gin Guild to move its London-based Ginposium to a bigger event space this year.

Black Cow Pure Milk vodka ‘saddened’ by ASA ruling

10-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Pure Milk Vodka has said an Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruling banning three of its Black Cow vodka ads was distressing, but has resulted in positive media attention.

Appleton Estate releases 'unique' premium-aged rum

09-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

In a celebration of Joy Spence’s 20 years as the world’s first female master blender, the Appleton Estate is releasing a ‘unique’ premium-aged rum.

Cask ale: the right attitude

09-Mar-2017 By Jessica Mason

Evolution is key to keeping cask ale – and the pub trade – alive. What can the collective industry do to help? 

Cask ale: a glass half full?

09-Mar-2017 By Jessica Mason

Cask ale has some difficulties to overcome, but with the correct application, it can maintain its rightful place at the bar of all good pubs.

Spring Budget: duty rises for beer, cider, wine and spirits

08-Mar-2017 By Liam Coleman

Alcohol duty will rise for beer, cider, wine and spirits, the chancellor has announced in the budget.

Pubs lose out to supermarkets in Christmas fizz sales

08-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

More than 45m bottles of sparkling wine were sold in the UK at Christmas, but just 5m of those were bought in the on-trade, the rest being purchased in supermarkets.

Soft drinks: little mix can pay off big

07-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The rise in popularity of soft drinks isn’t just down to thirsty designated drivers or those on a health kick. It is the flavour they provide in cocktails and mixed drinks that is helping the category push on.

Premade Pornstar Martini launched

07-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Pornstar Martini creator Douglas Ankrah has launched a premade version of his original cocktail, which has become one of this century’s best-selling drinks in pubs and bars across the UK.

SIBA Business and Industry Awards 2017 finalists revealed

07-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has revealed the finalists for its SIBA Business and Industry Awards 2017.