Drinks Industry News

February 2010

Pernod bolstered by Sales of Whisky in India
Pernod Ricard said that its results for the first half year of 2009-10 were in line with forecasts. They were helped by a strong performance in emerging markets, which off-set other difficulties.

Banksy pub ‘mural’ adds interest to sale
It’s not uncommon for closed pubs to become a magnet for graffiti and rats but it’s unusual for them to be something that the sellers draw attention to.

• Hook Norton brewery and village go green
• Fuller’s and Carlsberg march ahead with horse-themed beers

January 2010

• Survey says overall drinking down but home-drinking up
• Pernod Ricard stays on course with help of Asian Dynamism
• Hydes brings the circus to the pub
• Wetherspoon starts 2010 by selling a drink and meal for under £3

December 2009

• Whitbread makes Green Pledges
• BrewDog and Aspall see high abv products take flight

November 2009

• SABMiller draws strength from its global reach
• Cask Marque and ‘By the Glass’ focus on quality preservation
• Greene King turns up the volume with Brian Blessed
• Diageo promotes the lighter side of the Black Stuff

October 2009

• Pernod sees emerging markets compensate for flatter champagne sales
• Magners and Rekordelig squeeze out new ciders
• Whitbread’s performance stirred by Costa
• Brother’s roll out a frightening promotion
• Brains lines-up rugby stars for new fundraising beer

September 2009

• Premier Inn checks in with new airport hotels
• Wetherspoon profits from cost control and morning coffee
• Champagne fall in UK results in curtailed French harvest
• Blackthorn aims to revive West Country Appeal

August 2009

• Heineken gets stronger after S&N integration
• Whitbread pursues sustained green growth
• Budvar gives yeast lager a limitedUK release
• Arkell’s builds on its Czech connections with a new Pilsner

July 2009

• Acorn grows its IPA range
• Starbucks experiments with alcohol in its home town
• Britvic sees its sales rally; Young’s stays solid

June 2009

• Russian Standard and Morgan’s Spiced get summer pushes
• Diageo's flavoured Smirnoff and Thwaites tinged ice cream
• Greene King and Woodforde’s set off with cunning campaigns
• Wellington head hunts for an ale taster
• Martini shakes up with Thandie Newton
• Steinlager Pure sails into the UK

May 2009

• Asahi employs a robot barman
• Miller Brands UK says thank you to Generation Y
• C&C and Gaymer adjust to the demands of cider drinkers
• Constellation and Gaymers relaunch with labels
• Whitbread stay focused in murky economic climate

April 2009

• Pilsner Urquell pulls in the golf fans
• SABMiller keeps turning despite economic slowdown
• Marston’s profits from value for money appeal
• Fuller’s and Brothers screen their brands

March 2009

• JW Lees brings out a cask for Coronation Street
• Dark Star, Thatchers, Thwaites and Matthew Clark refresh their selection
• Pub trade keeps close watch on CCTV powers
• Whitbread makes a value for money appeal to savvy consumers

February 2009

• Kopparberg and Halewood add extra flavours to the market