Water goes alcoholic with ‘natural’ FAB launch
The latest innovation insight from Gama Compass MANCHESTER – 27th March 2019: This month’s Innovation Insight delves into the world of low-sugar, low-alcohol drinks, shining a spotlight on a new launch that creatively fuses together flavoured alcoholic beverages and bottled water: Balans Aqua Spritz. Promoted as “a brand new Swedish brand and drinks concept”, Balans Aqua Spritz […]
Australia: Lion takes 50% share in Four Pillars Gin
Australian beverage and dairy company Lion is making its first major foray into the spirits sector with the acquisition of a 50% stake in Four Pillars Gin. Founded in Healesville in 2013, Four Pillars Gin is a craft distiller offering gins such as Rare Dry, Spiced Negroni, Navy Strength and Bloody Shiraz. It currently has […]
Nigeria: Diageo launches Guinness Gold
Guinness Nigeria, a subsidiary of UK alcoholic drinks giant Diageo, has unveiled the launch of Guinness Gold, a new lager designed especially for the Nigerian market. Infused with crystal and amber malt, Guinness Gold is described as offering a depth of flavour and as using the same yeast as the original Guinness stout. Commenting on […]
Australia: Halewood buys Ironbark Distillery, sets up new division
Halewood, the UK-based wine and spirits firm, is expanding its footprint in Australia by buying local spirits firm Ironbark Distillery and setting up a dedicated Australian division, according to a report in Spirits Business. Based in New South Wales, Ironbark Distillery markets vodka, gin, rum and moonshine, which are described as being produced using local […]
Colombia: Central Cervecera de Colombia introduces Andina beer
Central Cervecera de Colombia (CCC), a joint venture aimed at tapping demand for beer and malted drinks in Colombia, has announced the launch of a new brand called Andina and has also revealed plans to start producing international beer brands in its new plant. The CCC joint venture was formed in 2014 by Chile’s Compania […]
UK: Fuller’s to be acquired by Asahi
Fuller’s, the UK beermaker, has announced it has entered into an agreement for the sale of its entire beer business to the European division of Japanese drinks giant Asahi for an enterprise value of £250 million on a debt free, cash free basis. The business being sold comprises the entirety of Fuller’s beer, cider and soft drinks […]
UK: Diageo sells lower-end spirit brands to Sazerac
Diageo, the UK based alcoholic drinks giant, has announced the sell-off of 19 brands to the US spirits firm Sazerac for an aggregate consideration of $550 million. The transaction includes the whiskey brands Seagram’s VO, Seagram’s 83 and Seagram’s Five Star, the rum brands Myers’s and, Parrot Bay, the sambuca brand Romana, the vodka brand Popov, […]
France: Heineken invests €29 million in Marseille plant
Global brewer Heineken is investing €28.9 million ($32.9 million) to boost production at its brewery at La Valentine, near Marseille, France, according to a Business Insider France report. The expansion works, which are set to begin at the start of 2019 and run for one year, will reportedly increase capacity at the site by 35% […]
Ireland: Irish Distillers to invest €150 million in two facilities
Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers has announced an investment of €150 million (USD173.5 million) to expand and upgrade its sites in Cork and Dublin as response of the continued rise in demand for Irish whiskey. Out of the total investment, €130 million ($150.5 million) will be allocated for the firm’s Midleton distillery, and maturation site in Dungourney, […]
USA: Westward American whiskey joins Distill Ventures portfolio
Global beverage giant Diageo, through its Distill Ventures arm, has acquired Westward, a leader in the American single malt whiskey category, for an undisclosed amount. The investment includes both the current distillery in Portland as well as the whiskey brand and inventory, reportedl allowing the distillery to expand capacity by 40% next year. Westward whiskey […]