Japan: Suntory sends whisky into space
Japanese spirits firm Suntory will launch several samples of whisky in to space to test the effects of gravity on the whisky aging process, according to reports. The Japanese company will reportedly send six samples of whisky in glass flasks to the International Space Station, including 10, 18 and 21 year old whiskies, as part […]
South Africa: Diageo to restructure its joint venture with Heineken and Namibia Breweries
Diageo has announced it will sell its 42.25% stake in DHN Drinks, a joint venture which owns the licenses for the combined beer, RTD and cider portfolio of Heineken, Diageo and Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL). With this transaction Heineken will increase its stake from 42.25% to 75% and NBL will increase its stake from 15.5% to […]
Germany: Rotkappchen enters the rum category
German sparkling wine company Rotkappchen has entered the rum category by acquiring the brands Asmussen Rum, Balle Rum and Boddel Rum. The company, founded in 1856 by three partners Moritz & Julius Kloss & Carl Foester, has acquired the brands through its subsidiary Nordbrand, a spirits business, from the company Drinks & Food GmbH. Drinks & […]
Spain: Trabanco Group launches cider with interactive label
Spanish cider producer Trabanco Group has launched a new interactive label which allow the consumer to obtain information about its Sidra Avalon products and to access an m-commerce platform using a free app. Claimed to be the first cider to feature an ‘invisible’ QR code, the product allows users to access the m-commerce site by scanning the label […]
Japan: Suntory to sell cognac unit Louis Royer to Terroirs Distillers
Japanese drinks giant Suntory has announced that it has agreed the sale of its cognac unit Louis Royer to Terroirs Distillers. The value of the deal is in the order of 13 billion yen ($105 million). Terroirs is a France-based, privately owned spirits company that owns The Tullibardine and Highland Queen Scotch whisky brands. It […]
Craft beer gets a protein boost
The latest innovation insight from Gama Compass™ MANCHESTER – 23rd July 2015: The latest attempt to bring functional benefits to the alcoholic drinks sector is Gama’s innovation focus for this week, as we look at a new craft beer seeking to piggyback on the craze for all things protein – Mighty Squirrel High Protein Beer. New […]
Spain: Mahou San Miguel adds three flavours to San Miguel 0.0% range
Mahou San Miguel, the leading Spanish brewer, has introduced three new flavour combinations for its San Miguel 0.0% range that mixes alcohol-free beer and 100% natural fruit juice. Launched in time for the summer, the new varieties are Pinacuya (Pineapple and Passionfruit), Melocotuva (Peach and Grape) and Naramango (Orange and Mango). The first of these […]
USA: Pabst Brewing Company opens new brewery in Milwaukee
Pabst Brewing, the world’s largest American owned beer producer, has announced that it will open a new brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the site of the original Pabst Brewery, which was closed in 1966. Consisting of an investment of roughly $3 million to $5 million, the brewery will serve as Pabst’s hub for innovation and […]
Brazil: Ambev acquires Brazilian craft brewer Colorado
Ambev, Brazil’s largest alcoholic drinks company, has announced the acquisition of the craft brewer Colorado for an undisclosed sum. Based in Ribeirao Preto in the state of Sao Paulo, Colorado is described as having an annual turnover of R$18 million ($6 million) and yearly production of 120,000 litres. The move is reportedly part of AmBev’s […]
USA: BrewDog to open brewery in Ohio
Scottish craft beer maker BrewDog has formally announced plans to open its first brewery overseas with the construction of a facility in the mid-Western United States. The full-scale 100,000 square foot craft brewery is to be sited in Canal Winchester, located in the Columbus Region of Ohio, USA and will be constructed at a total […]