US spirits volumes see further decline

New data from the IWSR, the global authority on beverage alcohol data and intelligence, has revealed the US beverage alcohol market continued to shrink in the first seven months of 2024, with volumes declining more than expected.

Flavoured alcohol market to reach $1.8tn globally by 2032

A recent report by Allied Market Research has revealed that the global flavoured alcohol market is anticipated to generate $1.8 trillion by 2032, up from a $1.2 trillion market size in 2022.

Lewis Hamilton and Iván Saldaña team up to unveil new agave non-alc

Formula One champion and entrepreneur Lewis Hamilton, alongside agave expert and Casa Lumbre co-founder and master distiller Iván Saldaña, have unveiled Almave, the inaugural distilled non-alcoholic blue agave spirit.

UK government introduces new tax system on alcoholic beverages

New government regulations have been introduced in the UK from August 1 which will see alcoholic beverages now taxed on strength.

Former Carlsberg global marketing director joins non-alcoholic drinks brand

Stephanie Illgner, former global marketing director of Carlsberg, has joined ISH, a non-alcoholic brand established in 2018 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Dubai drops 30% alcohol tax in bid to boost tourism

Dubai has scrapped its 30% tax on alcohol sales for the rest of the year in an apparent bid to boost tourism, while also stopping the charge on personal alcohol licences, something residents who wish to drink at home are required to have.

UK alcohol duty freeze to be extended

The UK government’s freeze on alcohol duty is to be extended until August 2023 to help UK hospitality venues amid rising costs.

No and low category surpasses $11 billion

The no- and low-alcohol categories grew by more than 7% in volume across 10 key global markets in 2022 to surpass a market value of $11bn, a new report from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has revealed.

UK industry group pens open letter urging government to rethink alcohol duty

A group of over 100 UK drink industry figures have signed a letter written to The Times urging the chancellor to rethink its decision to reverse the alcohol duty freeze.

UK Government freezes alcohol duty in mini-budget

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has announced that planned increases in alcohol duty have been ditched in his mini-budget.

Global alcohol market value surpasses 2019 levels

The value of the global alcohol market grew by 12% to reach US$1.17 trillion in 2021, making up for the 4% covid-driven losses in 2020, new data from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has found.

Sweden’s government-owned liquor stores stop selling Russian products

Sweden’s alcohol monopoly, Systembolaget, has removed all Russian-made vodka and other types of Russian alcohol from its shelves with immediate effect, in protest of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

No and low alcohol sales reached almost $10 billion in 2021

Sales of no and low alcohol beverages in 10 key global markets reached almost $10 billion in 2021 up from $7.8 billion in 2018, according to a new IWSR report.

Adnams launches high-strength gin designed for low alcohol serves

Suffolk-based distillery Adnams has launched a high-strength gin distilled with ten times the botanicals to give the flavour of a full serve in a 2.5ml measure.

South Africa removes all restrictions on alcohol sales

Ahead of New Years Eve celebrations, South Africa ended restrictions on the sale of alcohol that have been in place since 27 March 2020.

Norway bans bars from selling alcohol

Norway has banned alcohol sales in bars and restaurants for a month in a bid to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

Ecommerce alcohol sales expected to grow by 66% over the next five years

Online sales of alcoholic beverages in 16 key global markets will increase by 66% over the next five years, according to projections from IWSR.

Lucky Saint plans widespread mental health training

Alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint plans to train hundreds of professionals across the hospitality and retail industry in Mental Health First Aid.

DoorDash launches alcohol delivery service in the US, Canada and Australia

DoorDash is taking on Uber and Instacart by launching an alcohol delivery service in the United States, Canada and Australia.

Lucky Saint launches in cans

Alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint has launched in cans across the UK following its successful roll out in draught and bottle formats.

Brighter days ahead for the industry

Global alcohol consumption is expected to increase by 2.9% this year, according to new IWSR projections. Martin Green reports.

Asia Pacific beverage sales set to return to growth in 2021

Beverage alcohol in Asia Pacific markets is expected to gain more than +2% in volume and more than +4% in retail value by the end of 2021, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

South Africa imposes another ban on alcohol sales

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the country’s fourth ban on alcohol sales since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Largest increase in alcohol consumption in the United States in almost two decades

In 2020, beverage alcohol consumption in the US saw the largest volume gain in nearly 20 years.

IWSR forecasts global beverage alcohol to gain 3% volume in 2021

The global drinks industry is showing positive signs of recovery and will grow in volume by 2.9% by the end of 2021, according to new IWSR forecasts.

Research exposes high demand for draft alcohol-free beer

A consumer survey from alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint has revealed that nearly a third of people in the UK would now consider ordering an alcohol-free drink in bars, pubs or restaurants.

Tuscan Tree offers alcohol-free aperitivo moments

A new non-alcoholic drink that taps into growing consumer trend for enjoying “aperitivo hour” has launched in the UK and international markets.

Halewood to offload Eisberg wines to Schloss Wachenheim

Alcohol free wine brand Eisberg is set to be acquired by Schloss Wachenheim AG (SWA) from Halewood Artisanal Spirits.

IWSR purchases Wine Intelligence

Global drinks industry data provider IWSR has purchased consumer insights firm Wine Intelligence for an undisclosed sum.

Carlsberg 0.0 ad brings Mads Mikkelsen back to screens

Hollywood star Mads Mikkelsen has resumed the role of a cycling philosopher in a new ad for Carlsberg 0.0.

Diageo launches The Balance Challenge to promote responsible drinking

Diageo has launched an Instagram filter that encourages social media users to moderate alcohol consumption by switching to water instead.

Portman Group announces new chief executive

The Portman Group has announced that Matt Lambert will replace John Timothy as chief executive in January 2021.

Guinness forced to recall alcohol-free beer just two weeks after launch

Diageo has issued a product recall notice for Guinness 0.0 after revealing that a microbiological contamination may have left cans “unsafe to consume”.

IWSR forecasts alcohol industry to perform better than expected in 2020

The global drinks industry will enjoy a better than expected performance in 2020 as a result of dynamism in ecommerce and retail, according to new IWSR forecasts.

The United Arab Emirates relaxes laws on alcohol

On Saturday, the United Arab Emirates announced new laws removing punishments for the consumption, sales and possession of alcohol for those 21 and over.

Salcombe Distilling Co. predicts golden future for alcohol-free spirits

An award-winning distiller has tipped the non-alcoholic spirits category to enjoy strong future growth thanks to a raft of innovation in the years ahead.

Guinness launches alcohol-free variant

Guinness has become the latest major beer brand to launch an alcohol-free variant in a bid to capitalise upon growing consumer demand for the category.

Mocktails Brands appoints Craftwork as UK distributor

Mocktails Brands has appointed Craftwork as its UK distributor in a bid to ramp up sales of its premixed alcohol-free cocktails among British consumers.

South Africa urged to end "devastating" alcohol prohibition

The South African government has been urged to scrap its alcohol prohibition in order to avoid “devastating consequences” at home and abroad.

US off-trade sales continue to surge throughout summer

Sales of spirits, wine and beer continue to soar in the US off-trade as shoppers shun bars and restaurants in favor of drinking at home.

South Africa reintroduces alcohol sales ban after Covid-19 cases spike

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has reinstated the country’s ban on alcohol sales in a bid to free up beds for Covid-19 patients.

Scottish alcohol consumption falls to record low

Public Health Scotland has revealed that alcohol sales fell to a record low for the second year running in 2019.

Finland alcohol sales remain steady during pandemic

Alcoholic beverage sales have remained steady in Finland during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new stats from monopoly retailer Alko.

Coronavirus shutdown has little impact on Belgian alcohol consumption levels

A study suggests that alcohol consumption has remained broadly stable during the coronavirus lockdown in Belgium.

Thailand urged to end alcohol sales ban

Thailand’s beer, wine and spirits industry has implored the government to lift a ban on alcohol sales during the national state of emergency.

US alcoholic beverage sales soar amid coronavirus lockdown

Alcoholic beverage sales in the US increased 55% year-on-year during the week to March 21 as shoppers stocked up ahead of a long coronavirus lockdown.

US off-trade sales soar while bars begin to reopen across China

The US off-trade has seen soaring sales of wine, spirits and beer as shoppers stocked up ahead of a lengthy coronavirus lockdown, according to Nielsen stats.

The no-low science bit

Low and no-alcohol wines were once horrible parodies of the real thing. not any more, writes Jamie Goode.

Britvic points to healthy lifestyles for bigger sales

Britvic believes that consumers choosing ‘healthier living and moderate drinking’ is the reason for the increase in sales for 2016.

WSET Week USA set for May launch

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust will host the first WSET Week USA from May 1-7, 2017.