The beverage briefing
The latest news, trends, and data you need to know about this month
In numbers
The sum paid by plant-based & holistic wellness business Simply Better Brands Corp to buy Seattle’s Jones Soda Co
The amount Treasury Wine Estates has spent upgrading one of its wine production facilities in Australia - automated vehicles and all
The number of on-premise outlets in the UK’s suburbs that Heineken’s Star Pubs & Bars division will upgrade to encourage work-from-home consumers out for a post-work drink
The sum PepsiCo has pledged to ‘#Football4Refugees’, the football refugee project organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The number of trees set to be planted this year by Flor de Caña rum brand owner Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua. Up to 1m will be planted by 2025 in the initiative
Ukraine invasion - Industry reaction
Carlsberg Russia divestment “may take up to 12 months”
Carlsberg admitted that the planned sale of its operations in Russia could take as long as a year to complete. The group countered earlier reports that it had already found a buyer for its Baltic Beverages Holding division in the country.
Anheuser-Busch InBev to follow Carlsberg, Heineken out of Russia
Anheuser-Busch InBev is looking for a buyer for its business in Russia, becoming the latest international brewer to prepare an exit from the market. The group, which has a joint venture with Anadolu Efes in the country, confirmed that “active discussions” are taking place with its partner over a divestment of its stake. As part of the negotiations, flagship brand Budweiser, marketed as ‘Bud’ in Russia, will not be produced or sold in the country.
Russian watchdog approves sale of PepsiCo’s Wimm-Bill-Dann Beverages
The Russian competition watchdog approved an application by a domestic cheesemaker to buy PepsiCo subsidy Wimm-Bill-Dann Beverages. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) said it did not believe that the acquisition of the Moscow headquartered company by Multipro would restrict market competition. The cheese maker filed for consent to acquire ownership of Wimm-Bill-Dann Beverages – which produces fruit juices and other soft drinks including the J7 Juice brand – in February.
William Grant & Sons auctions rare Glenfiddich whisky to support Ukraine
William Grant & Sons lined up the release of a limited-edition whisky from its Glenfiddich single malt to raise funds for the people of Ukraine. The 2022 edition of the Glenfiddich ‘Spirit of Speyside’ bottling was auctioned on Whisky Auctioneer in early May. A total of 460 bottles were available, with all the proceeds going to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
In pictures
Category - RTD, malt-based, 4.5% abv
Available: Since May
Location: Global, excluding US
Price: SRP of GBP 2.75 (US$3.39) per 33cl can
Anheuser-Busch InBev announced its first global non-beer extension from the Corona brand. Corona Tropical is a 4.5% abv sparkling alcoholic water made with fruit juice and containing less than 100 calories per 33cl can. The line’s launch kicks off in the UK with three flavours - Raspberry & Lemon, Grapefruit & Lemongrass and Guava & Lime.
Category - Spirits, whisky, Scotch
Available - Since May
Location: Global
Price: Not immediately available
William Grant & Sons introduced a flavoured expression to the Grant’s Scotch whisky portfolio. Grant’s Summer Orange is launching across Europe and is the first flavoured expression in the Grant’s range. The iteration has been complemented with the addition of Sicilian orange extract and “natural citrusy orange flavours” according to the brand.
Category - Soft Drinks, carbonated
Available: From this month
Location: The US, nationwide
Price - Not immediately available
PepsiCo announced a tie-up with convenience store chain Circle K that will see the group sell an exclusive Mtn Dew flavour in its US outlets. Mtn Dew Purple Thunder is available from Circle K now.. The new variant is made with the flavours of blackberry and plum and features a ‘gang’ of Mtn Dew bikers on its label
Category - Beer, barrel-aged, 7.4% abv
Available: From this month
Location: The UK, available online from the Innis & Gunn website
Price - SRP of GBP7 (US$9.13) per 33cl bottle
Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn has unveiled its second collaboration with Beam Suntory’s Laphroaig whisky brand, launching a beer matured in single malt whisky quarter casks. ‘Islay Whisky Cask’ is a Scottish red ale that has been aged for three months in Laphroaig casks. The use of quarter casks allows the flavour from the wood to be imparted into the beer in a shorter length of time, according to the brewer.
