Spain: Karmo Spirit unveils “intensely flavoured” gin
Sevillan spirits firm Karmo Spirit has announced the launch of a new gin under the Puerto de Indias brand that is especially designed to appeal to gin and tonic lovers. With a stronger flavour and a higher abv than other Puerto De Indias gins, Puerto De Indias Pure Black Edition is said to be aimed […]
Italy: Campari to sell Casoni Fabbricazione Liquori
Campari, the global alcoholic drinks firm, has announced that it has agreed to sell Casoni Fabbricazione Liquori, an Italian company wholly owned by Fratelli Averna. Casoni became part of Campari following the acquisition of Fratelli Averna in 2014. The firm, which specializes in private label alcoholic beverages and co-packaging activities, will be sold to a […]
Chocolate joins the party with sparkling wine launch
The latest innovation insight from Gama Compass™ MANCHESTER – 18th December 2015: This week’s Innovation Insight looks at the latest attempt to add diversity to the wine market through a new female-positioned, low-alcohol offering melding prosecco-style fizz with the ‘treat’ value of chocolate – Choco Secco Sparkling Chocolate Wine. Promoted as bringing together “dynamic megatrends” […]
India: USL moves out of FABs
USL, a subsidiary of Diageo operating in India, has taken the strategic decision to move out of the FAB market due to lack of scale in domestic RTD sales, according to reports in the Economic Times and the Times of India. Premixed vodka drink Smirnoff Ice was launched by USL to challenge Bacardi Breezer, which […]
Spain: Grupo Fuertes forays into sparkling wine with Siete Grados
Bodegas Luzon, a wine company that is part of agribusiness firm Grupo Fuertes, is entering the sparkling wine category with the release of a new product under the brand Siete Grados (Seven Degrees). Siete Grados Sparkling Wine is described as a low-alcohol sparkling wine, made from Moscatel grapes from Alexandría. The company describes the new […]
Belgium: AB InBev to sell Peroni and Grolsch to ease SABMiller deal – reports
Leading brewer AB InBev is giving consideration to a disposal of Peroni and Grolsch in order to head off possible competition concerns over its takeover of SABMiller, according to a report in the Financial Times. Quoting sources close to the matter, the Financial Times said that plans were not finalised but that any such sale […]
Brazil: AmBev launches Skol Beats Spirit beer
AmBev, Brazil’s leading brewer, has announced the release of the latest addition to the Skol Beats portfolio. The brand line, which which already includes the beers Skol Beats Extreme and Skol Beats Senses, aims to offer differentiation through flavour and packaging, and is especially designed for ‘nighttime occasions’. According to sources, Skol Beats Spirit is […]
USA: Costellation Brands to buy Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits
Leading alcoholic drinks firm Costellation Brands is looking to expand in the fast-growing craft beer market by announcing it will buy Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits for $1 billion. Ballast Point is a San Diego based company with 500 employees producing more than 40 different types of beer, led by its Sculpin IPA and Grapefruit […]
Beer goes premium with ‘fresh from the brewery’ launch
The latest innovation insight from Gama Compass™ MANCHESTER – 18th November 2015: This week’s Innovation Insight looks at an attempt to create “an entirely new category in the grocery store” through a launch that takes the concept of ‘fresh chilled beer’ to new heights – Heineken Extra Fresh Beer. Designed around the notion that “nothing is […]
Canada: Labatt Breweries adds spirit, cider and FAB brands to portfolio
Labatt Breweries of Canada is acquiring a range of RTD, cider and spirit brands in a $350 million deal with the Mark Anthony Group. According to a report in Food In Canada, the deal will give Labatt ownership of brands such as Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Palm Bay and Okanagan Cider along with Turning Point Brewery […]