South Africa: Spirit of Rooibos launches namesake drink
South African spirits firm Spirit of Rooibos is launching a new eponymous rooibos (redbush tea) spirit promoted as a “premium triple distilled neutral spirit, craft infused with natural organic rooibos”. According to Fastmoving, the drink is created from sugar cane by a professional distillery, before being supplied to a bottling plant where the rooibos is […]
Netherlands: Heineken to launch beer under 0.0 name
Dutch brewer Heineken is set to launch a new alcohol-free beer called Heineken 0.0, according to a report in Het Parool. Described as a first for the Dutch market, Heineken 0.0 is due to be introduced first in the Netherlands in March of next year, before being rolled out to the rest of the world […]
USA: Vermont Cider Company enters ‘ultra-premium’ segment
US-based Vermont Cider Company has announced the launch of its first “ultra-premium” ciders called Addison and Wassail. Named after the Addison County where it is produced, Addison Cider is to be offered year-round and has 5% ABV. Commenting on the launch, Vermont Cider Company director of cider making Ben E Calvi said: “For this flagship cider, […]
USA: Remy Cointreau agrees to acquire Westland Distillery
Remy Cointreau, the French alcoholic drinks firm, has announced that it has agreed to acquire US whiskey manufacturer Westland Distillery. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Based in Seattle, WA, Westland Distillery is described as producing whiskey with a distinctly American single malt style. The firm’s portfolio of single malts, including Westland Single Malt […]
USA: Bavaria acquires Latis Imports
Dutch brewer Bavaria has acquired US based Latis Imports, an importer of Belgian specialty craft beers, according to a report in Brewbound. Latis Imports, co-founded by David Van Wees, currently imports Boon, Palm, Rodenbach and Steenbrugge beers and is set to expand its portfolio to include Bavaria brands. Bavaria had previously purchased 60% of Palm […]
Italy: Campari divests Italian still wine businesses
Campari, the Italian wine and spirits firm, has announced its exit from the Italian still wine business with an agreement for the sale of 100% of the share capital of Sella & Mosca and Teruzzi & Puthod to wine seller and distributor Terra Moretti. Based in Sardinia, Sella & Mosca is one of the largest wine estates […]
‘High vitamin’ claims notch upwards
Insight by Gama Compass™ MANCHESTER – 24th November 2016: ‘High vitamin’ claims are continuing to notch upwards in new product launches, according to Gama’s latest study of patterns and trends in global FMCG innovation, with non-alcoholic drinks proving particularly fertile ground for vitamin-related positioning. Based on data from Gama Compass™ between 2014 and 2016, and […]
UK: Heineken partners with Deliveroo for home deliveries
Multinational Dutch brewer Heineken has partnered with the UK-based online delivery service Deliveroo to offer home beer and cider delivery, according to a report in Business Insider. The partnership will reportedly spawn a new brand called Brew House which will offer home deliveries of beers and ciders under the Heineken, Bulmers and Sol brands. Brew […]
Brazil: Petropolis vying to acquire Brasil Kirin assets – reports
Brazilian company Grupo Petropolis, owner of the beer brand Itaipava, is among the firms to have declared an interest in acquiring the assets of alcoholic drinks firm Brasil Kirin, according to a report in Supermercado Moderno quoting O Estado de Sao Paulo. It is reported that Grupo Petropolis has organised visits to three of Brasil […]
Australia: Lion’s Fine Wine Partners to be acquired by Accolade Wines
Accolade Wines, one of the world’s largest wine companies, is to acquire Fine Wine Partners (FWP) in Australia for an undisclosed sum. In a press release, Lion, the Australian alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and dairy firm that owns Fine Wine Partners, described it as “a quality fine wine business offering exposure to the attractive and […]