Molson Coors to invest over £100m into UK breweries

Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced its plans to invest more than £100m in its UK brewery and beverage network over the next five years.

The Artisanal Spirits Company acquires Single Cask Nation

Whisky producer, The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC), and owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has acquired US-based independent bottling brand, Single Cask Nation.

East London Liquor Company bought out of administration

East London Liquor Co has been bought out of administration following “harsh new conditions” on its Time to Pay agreement with HMRC.

Hi-Spirits UK announces name change

Sazerac Company has announced the renaming of subsidiary spirits distributor Hi-Spirits UK, to Sazerac UK.

Familia Torres begins generational transition process

The advisory board of Familia Torres has agreed to begin a generational transition process in which the current chief executive, Miquel Torres Maczassek, will be appointed president of the company.

Sazerac Company named American Whiskey producer of the year

For the fourth year in a row, Buffalo Trace owner, Sazerac Company, has been named American Whiskey Producer of the Year by Drinks International’s International Spirits Challenge (ISC).

Elevated Spirits Company appoints senior leadership team

The Elevated Spirits Company, producer of the Cierto Tequila portfolio, has announced the appointment of its senior leadership team.

Anchor to shut down after 127 years

After 127 years, having survived San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake, Prohibition and both World Wars, Anchor Brewing Company is closing down due to recent economic pressures.

Court unseals Diddy’s racial discrimination lawsuit against Diageo

Newly unredacted documents have shed light on US rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs claims of racial discrimination against drinks giant Diageo.

Isle of Man rum Hoolie comes to Harrods

White rum Hoolie, distilled in an old milking shed, will soon be sold in Harrods as the Isle-of-Man-based spirits company continues its London takeover.

Joseph Cartron announces UK winner of its cocktail competition

Spiribam-UK and its fruit liqueur, eaux-de-vie and vermouth company, Joseph Cartron, have announced the UK winner of its Cartron Unexpected Cocktail Competition, Keoghán Taylor of Kiki Lounge. 

Diageo’s Ivan Menezes to step down as CEO

Diageo has announced that its chief executive officer Sir Ivan Menezes will be retiring and is set to depart from the Diageo Board on 30 June this year, following 10 years leading the company.

Bira 91 raises $10m from Japan’s MUFG Bank

Premium beer company, Bira 91, has raised $10m from MUFG Bank, Ltd. (MUFG Bank), Japan's largest bank, as the brand continues to grow at a rapid pace, tripling its market share from pre-covid levels.

Fercullen Irish Whiskey introduced to the US

Fercullen Irish Whiskey from the Powerscourt Estate will now be available across the US as a result of a new distribution partnership with Zamora Company USA.

East London Liquor Co joins Mangrove Global portfolio

Mangrove Global, the premium UK spirits distributor, has announced the addition of East London Liquor Company to its portfolio.

Brown-Forman confirms purchase of Gin Mare

Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman has confirmed the purchase of gin brand Gin Mare from Spanish premium drinks company, Vantguard.

Beam Suntory reports strong first-half performance driven by premium brands

A strong performance in key markets saw Beam Suntory’s net sales increase by 13% year-on-year in the first half of 2022, a 25% increase on the pre-pandemic period in 2019.

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery enters whisky market

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery has launched its first whisky, the OnePointSix English, as it moves into the whisky market with a £1 million investment, the biggest since it was founded in 2016.

Sazerac Company acquires Lough Gill Distillery

Hazelwood Demesne Limited, owner of the Lough Gill Distillery in Sligo, has announced its acquisition by the Sazerac Company to develop the historical site.

Premium sales drive growth for Viña Concha y Toro in 2021

Viña Concha y Toro has reported that profits rose by 26.7% in 2021 with sales of premium wines accounting for more than half of company revenues for the first time.

Diageo India invests in premium gin producer Nao Spirits

United Spirits Limited (Diageo India) has announced an investment of INR 31.5 crores (US$ 4.1m) to acquire a strategic minority stake in Nao Spirits.

Green to leave lasting legacy beyond DI

The announcement of Martin Green’s departure from Drinks International marks the end of an era for Agile Media and a significant loss for the wider drinks trade.

Javier Pijoan named new Zamora Company CEO

Spain’s Zamora Company has appointed Javier Pijoan as its new CEO to replace former chief executive Emilio Restoy.

Tackling the modern challenges of bulk wine distribution

Logistics companies within the global drinks industry have been battered by an unprecedented confluence of headwinds during the past 18 months.

Hatch Mansfield appoints new MD after McGrath becomes chairman

Hatch Mansfield managing director Patrick McGrath MW is stepping up to the newly created role of chairman.

The Essence House returns to Covent Garden for London Cocktail Week

The London Essence Company has announced that The Essence House pop-up is returning to Covent Garden throughout October for London Cocktail Week 2021.

Boston Beer Co. share price tumbles due to weak hard seltzer demand

Boston Beer Company saw its share price plummet by almost 10% yesterday after weak demand for hard seltzer forced it to pull its earnings guidance.

Jancis Robinson MW sells website to U.S. media company

Celebrated wine writer Jancis Robinson MW has sold her eponymous website to U.S. digital media company Recurrent Ventures for an undisclosed sum.

Surge in hard seltzer brands slow uptake

It has been a sobering quarter for hard seltzers. Sales of the canned RTD that disrupted the US alcohol market when it burst on to the scene in 2016 have finally stalled.

Zamora turnover down 17% in 2020

Zamora Company has announced a -17.2% drop in turnover in 2020 compared to the previous year.

Ardgowan Distillery announces construction of new distillery following £8.4 million investment

Ardgowan Distillery has announced a new one million litre single malt distillery and visitor centre, built on the Ardgowan Estate in Inverclyde, Scotland.

Concha y Toro posts 8.2% revenue increase for Q1

Leading Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro has reported an 8.2% revenue increase in the first three months of 2021.

BR Distilling gains Texas distribution deal

BR Distilling Company in Memphis, US, has gained distribution across Texas as part of its rapid domestic expansion.

Worshipful Company of Distillers focuses on diversity with new education scholarships

The Worshipful Company of Distillers has announced a new programme of scholarships and bursaries for more than 100 students over the next three years.

Aphria ties up $300m deal for SweetWater Brewing Co.

Canada’s third largest cannabis company has agreed a $300 million deal to purchase Atlanta-based brewer SweetWater.

Zamora Company reports strong 2019 sales

Spanish drinks producer Zamora Company has reported that turnover increased 6.3% to €208 million in 2019.

Pernod Ricard boycotts Facebook and builds app to combat social media abuse

Pernod Ricard has become the latest major company to halt advertising on Facebook and Twitter in a bid to stop the spread of hatred and misinformation.

Irish Distillers master distiller heads to Minneapolis to work for O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company

A craft spirits startup in Minnesota has secured the services of Irish Distillers’ master distiller Brian Nation.

Zamora Company USA adds Don Papa rum to portfolio

Zamora Company USA has bolstered its spirits portfolio with the addition of Filipino rum brand Don Papa.

Opihr Oriental Spiced unveiled at Imbibe Live

Quintessential Brands unveiled Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin yesterday at UK on-trade show Imbibe Live.

Patrick Ricard dies aged 67

Patrick Ricard the titular head of the Pernod Ricard family, has died. He was 67. Cause of death has not been disclosed but it is believed to be a heart attack.

Michael Cox is new Vintners' master

Michael Cox has been installed as the 518th Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners for the forthcoming year.

Scotch infrastructure

Asian demand for whisky has boosted investment in Scotland, says Lucy Britner

Pernod turns up the volume

Credit to Pernod. The company has done a fine job this week in extolling the success of scotch whisky around the world and in telling important opinion formers that the company is best placed to capitalise on that thirst and in doing so earn lots of money for the company, its suppliers, customers, not forgetting its investors.

Pernod raises the stakes

Pernod Richard is raising the stakes in scotch whisky after a week in which it hosted a ‘Capital Markets Day’ of presentations up at its flagship Glenlivet distillery on Speyside.

Crabbie’s expands into US and Canada

Halewood International has expanded the distribution of its Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer brand into the US and Canada.

Wine to be packed in cartons in the UK for the first time

Tetra Pak, the world leader in its eponymous packaging, has announced that wine can be packed in its cartons in the UK for the first time

Diageo completes deal to buy Chinese white spirits company

Diageo has announced the completion of the mandatory tender offer for the outstanding shares in Chinese white spirits company, Sichuan Shuijingfang

Rémy Cointreau raises a cognac to Asia

Rémy Cointreau's consolidated turnover for the 2011/12 financial year was €1,026.1 million, an increase of 13% (up 15.6% organically) compared with the previous year.

SPI signs up Telford for Stoli's distribution in China

SPI Group has signed a five-year agreement with Telford International Company for the distribution of its Stolichnaya portfolio in China.