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Credit: Zoa Energy
Molson Coors moves for majority stake in Zoa Energy
US brewing giant Molson Coors Beverage Company is to purchase a majority stake in Zoa Energy drinks. Molson Coors has distributed the energy-drinks brand in the US and has held a minority stake in the business since 2021. It “significantly increased” its shareholding in Zoa in September 2023 and was granted a place on the company’s board of directors.
LVMH backs non-alc sparkling wine firm French Bloom
Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) has taken a minority stake in French alcohol-free sparkling wine brand French Bloom. Co-founded by Constance Jablonski and Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger in 2019, French Bloom produces a range of non-alc wines, including the sparkling French Bloom Le Blanc and Le Rosé. Paris-based French Bloom exports to 32 markets including the US, UK, Australia, Japan, Canada and UAE.
Diageo buys US non-alc spirits firm Ritual Zero Proof
Diageo‘s North American arm has snapped up US-based non-alcoholic spirits business Ritual Zero Proof for an undisclosed sum. The Diageo-backed accelerator Distill Ventures acquired a minority stake in Ritual Zero Proof in 2020. Set up in Chicago in 2019, Ritual Zero Proof produces non-alcoholic versions of well-known spirits. Its range of five products includes alternatives to Tequila, gin, rum and whiskey.
Pernod to sell Nordic brands to Royal Unibrew’s Hartwall
Pernod Ricard has agreed to offload a clutch of its Nordic brands, including Finnish liqueur Minttu, to Royal Unibrew-owned Hartwall. Other brands in the transaction include Swedish punch brand Cederlunds Torr and Marinella fruit wine. Most of the portfolio was bought by Pernod through its acquisition of Absolut vodka owner Vin & Sprit in 2008.
