Jura Red Wine Cask Finish unveiled in time for World Whisky Day

Scotch whisky producer Jura has kicked off a new series of cask editions by releasing a whisky finished in red wine barriques.

TFWA 2020 cancelled due to Covid-19

The Tax Free World Association has been forced to cancel the duty free sector’s biggest annual networking event due to uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bars to reopen in South Australia on June 8

Bars in South Australia will reopen on June 8 after the number of active coronavirus cases in the state plummeted.

Seoul orders bars to close once again after virus cluster detected

More than 2,100 bars and clubs in Seoul were shut down this weekend after 18 new coronavirus cases were linked to a single reveller.

BrewDog unveils 10-point plan to keep visitors safe when bars reopen

BrewDog has unveiled details of the measures it will take to protect visitors to its bars once they are permitted to reopen.

AB Inbev reports 32% sales decline in April

AB Inbev has warned that Q2 trading will be “materially worse” than the previous three months due to brewery closures and supply chain disruption.

Drinktank provides paid work for bartenders during COVID-19 crisis

Drinktank, the world’s first global intelligence network for the drinks trade, has announced a series of initiatives to provide bartenders with paid-for work, which they can do from home.

50 Best for Recovery launches to support global bar industry

The World’s 50 Best Bars has launched a three-pronged campaign called 50 Best for Recovery to provide tangible financial relief to the hospitality industry.

Campari Group reports slight sales decline for Q1

Campari Group has reported a 5.3% decline in organic sales for the first quarter of 2020 after suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

India allows liquor stores to reopen during new phase of coronavirus lockdown

Liquor stores across India reopened this morning after the country moved into a new phase of its coronavirus lockdown.

Drinks International digital edition available for subscription

Global drinks buyers, bartenders, business owners and managers can now enjoy a digital edition of Drinks International each month by following our online application process.

HK bar Quinary re-opens during COVID-19 crisis

Hong Kong bar Quinary is one of the first high-profile bars to re-open during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Drinks Trust fundraising surpasses £1m

Following a request for support through the “Your Round, Help Your Trade” campaign, The Drinks Trust has raised more than £1m to support members of the industry who have been affected by COVID-19.

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.

Carlsberg reports first quarterly sales decline in two years

Danish brewer Carlsberg has reported its first quarterly sales decline in two years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

South African wine producers can start exporting again

South African wine producers have been cleared to resume exports after the country’s coronavirus lockdown was eased.

Marussia Beverages completes Itkulsky Distillery purchase

Dutch group Marussia Beverages has purchased a controlling stake in Siberian vodka producer Itkulsky Distillery.

Vinexpo Hong Kong postponed to February 2021

Vinexpo Hong Kong, initially scheduled for July 2020, will take place from 23 to 25 February 2021, due to border closures and health hazards caused by Covid-19.

Rémy Cointreau expects steep sales decline for the current quarter

Rémy Cointreau has reported a sales decline of 9% for the 2019/20 financial year as a result of a significant slump in Q4.

Imbibe Live cancelled with new dates set for 2021

Imbibe Live 2020 has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and a new date has been set for the 2021 edition.

Mr Lyan and Tails launch Victory Fizz in aid of NHS

Tails Cocktails, Europe’s largest batched cocktail brand, has collaborated with bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana to create the Victory Fizz cocktail in celebration of the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

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.

Lebanon wine sector responds to Covid-19 crisis with typical resilience

The Covid-19 pandemic has wrought havoc on the global drinks industry presenting business owners with a formidable set of challenges. Yet for winemakers in Lebanon it represents just another obstacle in a long list of trials and tribulations they have overcome in recent times.

Bar Trigona wins Asia's 50 Best Sustainable Bar Award

Bar Trigona in Malaysia has won the Sustainable Bar Award for the second consecutive year as part of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020.

Zamora Company explains how brand owners can help the on-trade recover

Spanish producer Zamora Company has reported that wine and spirits sales in China have recovered as the country emerges from a sweeping coronavirus lockdown.

Rum from Isles of Scilly launched

A British family from the Isles of Scilly has created a new rum called Daymark 1683 Original.

Campari sets up on-trade charity fund with The Drinks Trust

Campari UK has created the Shaken Not Broken Fund to provide support to front-line workers in the hospitality industry during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pernod Ricard sales decrease 15% due to Covid-19 disruption

Pernod Ricard has revealed a 15% organic decline in sales for the three months to March 31.

Highball Brands launches The Drinks Drop cocktail delivery service

Highball Brands, a luxury drinks distribution company, has launched a not-for-profit cocktail delivery service called The Drinks Drop in partnership with some of the UK’s top bars.

Fever-Tree records 10% revenue increase in 2019

Premium mixer brand Fever-Tree has announced a 10% revenue increase to 31 December 2019 year-on-year to more than £260m.

Heineken reports 14% volume sales drop in March

Heineken has reported a 14% drop in volume sales during March as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Downey: Nine-month break essential for UK hospitality

Milk & Honey owner Jonathan Downey has called for a non-government funded nine-month National Time Out on rent and debt payments to save the UK hospitality industry.

Bar Convent Brooklyn postponed until August

Bar Convent Brooklyn 2020 has been postponed to August 11-12 due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

AB Inbev slashes dividend in half

AB Inbev has slashed its proposed dividend in half due to the uncertainty, volatility and continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drinks brands impress social media users during coronavirus crisis

Engagement with alcoholic drinks brands on social media has increased by more than 300% during the coronavirus lockdown, according to social analytics agency ListenFirst.

Diageo halts buyback scheme amid coronavirus pandemic

Diageo has suspended share buybacks for the rest of the year as a result of financial uncertainty sparked by the coronavirus outbreak.

Wine Design Awards and Drinks Marketing Challenge 2020 Winners Revealed

Drinks International is pleased to announce the winners of our Wine Design Awards and Drinks Marketing Challenge 2020. 

South African wine producers cleared to resume exports

South African producers have received permission to export their wine around the world after intensive lobbying efforts over the past week.

Bacardi partners with Deliveroo for UK on-trade

Bacardi has launched a multi-point plan called #RaiseYourSpirits to help bars and bartenders in the UK & Ireland combat the coronavirus crisis.

Amber Beverage Group appoints new Finland distributor

Amber Beverage Group has appointed Beverage Partners Finland (BPF), part of the Hans Just Group, as its distributor in Finland.

Pernod Ricard India pledges Rs 15 cr to support COVID-19 fight

Pernod Ricard has pledged Rs 15 crore ($2 million) to boost healthcare facilities across India as it prepares to battle the coronavirus outbreak.

COVID-19 Emergency Fund goes live today

Members of the British drinks trade that have lost their income due to the coronavirus outbreak can apply for a one-off grant worth £250 this week.

BCB appoints first brand ambassador

Damien Guichard, bar manager at the Truffle Pig since 2019, has been named Bar Convent Berlin’s first brand ambassador.

Remy Cointreau expects 9% revenue decline

Remy Cointreau expects to report a 9% decrease in revenue for the 2019/20 fiscal year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

New initiative allows thousands of bars to covert to shops during COVID-19 crisis

A new initiative promises to transform shuttered British bars into click and collect food stores during the coronavirus crisis.

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.

The Drinks Trust launches COVID-19 Emergency Fund

The Drinks Trust has fundraised more than £400,000 to support members of the drinks industry who have been left in financial crisis as a result of COVID-19.

Bars will be the last businesses to reopen in Italy, top virologist warns

Bars and nightclubs will be the last businesses to reopen when Italy’s coronavirus lockdown ends, a leading virologist has warned.

Stockpiling among British shoppers causes beer, wine and spirits sales to spike dramatically

Sales of beer, wine and spirits grew by a remarkable 67% in the UK off-trade during the week to March 21.

Creative bartenders head online to raise funds during coronavirus lockdown

Digital happy hours, online mixology sessions and virtual tip jars are helping bartenders make ends meet amid the coronavirus lockdown.