Constellation Brands, Inc., a leading international beverage alcohol producer and marketer, has announced that Constellation Wines Australia (formerly Hardy Wine Company) will sell certain assets and implement changes to its wine portfolio and production footprint. The changes are being made to “simplify the business and provide better focus on premium brands and operational efficiencies aimed at increasing long- term profitable growth and improved returns”. Constellation plan to sell... ...Read more »
Diageo, world leading premium drinks business and owner of the Johnnie Walker brand, has created new technology to crackdown on whiskey fraud. The company has been concerned by counterfeiters who refill their Johnnie Walker bottles and sell them as if new and, consequently, have sought to protect their brand with the introduction of a device to prevent such fraudulent activity. Caps on Johnnie Walker bottles will now not return to their original position after opening and a permanent gold band appears... ...Read more »
The UK Government has sent a strong warning to alcohol companies via a proposal to implement extensive legislation changes if the industry doesn’t adhere to its’ own voluntary standards. Mandatory regulation and labelling could be on the cards following a major consultation about England’s drinking culture, launched this week by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo. The Department of Health consultation is published together with independent reviews, which claim that the drinks... ...Read more »
Honey Amber Rose, a craft beer trademarked as the ‘world’s first beer for women’, is up for sale on August 15th via eBay. Despite success in the Florida beer market, Beautiful Brews Inc. co-creators Abby Waters and Kent Chamberlain have decided to auction off the business “in order to ensure its future”. The company will be auctioning off the Honey Amber Rose brand including: the 200-year-old-secret recipe, trademarks, portfolio of existing accounts, access to hundreds... ...Read more »
The first snow of the Australian ski season is many things to many people. A heavy fall of the prized white commodity is annually prayed for by devotees in the pursuit of fun - from snowboarding and skiing to throwing a fistful of it at your unsuspecting mate. Rarely is it used as an ingredient to brew beer. That’s exactly what has happened, however, as Snowy Mountains Brewery founder Kevin O’Neill used his first snow sighting at Charlotte Pass in late June to good effect, stocking... ...Read more »
The Board of Foster’s Group Limited (Foster’s) has announced that Chief Executive Officer, Trevor O’Hoy, will step down from his role today.Ian Johnston, currently a non-executive Director of the Company, has agreed to assume the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer, pending the appointment of a permanent successor to Mr O’Hoy. The Board is hoping Mr Johnston will energise the team to drive day-to-day business performance across product categories and global businesses.... ...Read more »
A website has been set up by the Distilled Spirits Industry Council of Australia (DSICA) to highlight the millions being reaped by the Federal Government following the introduction of the controversial alcopops tax. In the wake of concern about binge drinking in Australia the Rudd Government announced a 70 per cent increase on taxes imposed on alcopops (ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages), which was introduced before being passed through the Senate. It has since been attacked by some as being... ...Read more »
Pressure has been mounting on caffeinated alcohol beverages as US consumer groups look to ban such products. With binge drinking a concern, it appears the focus has now spread from alcopops to caffeinated alcohol products. Anheuser-Busch has announced that they will remove the caffeine, guarana, and ginseng from their flavored malt beverages Tilt and Bud Extra. The move comes as part of agreements reached with the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which in February threatened... ...Read more »
InBev has announced that it is still committed to its proposal to create the world’s leading beer company through the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch. The proposal, which was put to Anheuser last month, would create the world’s largest brewer, eclipsing SABMiller. Anheuser-Busch, famous for their ownership of Budweiser, rejected the offer last week as their Board considered that the valuation of $46 billion was too low. Carlos Brito, Chief Executive Officer of InBev, remains steadfast in... ...Read more »
The high cost of fuel is wreaking havoc with some food and beverage industries worldwide, with demands for government aid increasing by the day. Winemakers in the south of France have vandalized supermarkets and burned two police cars in the southern city of Montpellier. The protest by vintners last week was in response to skyrocketing fuel costs and falling prices for regional wines. The thousands of protesters were seeking to draw the government’s attention to the plight of winemakers in... ...Read more »