Portman guidance on unit labelling
The Portman Group has drawn up new guidelines for the labelling of alcohol units, in response to the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. These suggest drinks should be labelled according to alcoholic strength, eg, a bottle of wine would show the total number of units, and the number per 175ml serving. Prize for Cider and Perry Pub of Year The Campaign for Real Ale is looking for the Cider and Perry Pub of the Year as part of this year's Cider and Perry month, which takes place throughout October. The event aims to boost exposure of "real" ciders and perries, and will include a petition to save Britain's orchards among a host of promotional activities. Bacardi to add responsible tag Bacardi-Martini is to add the strapline "Enjoy responsibly" to all of its brands early next year. Changes to labels will be made at "appropriate times" said Bacardi chief executive Chris Searle. Carta Blanca rum will be the first to adopt the message. Kuchhadia's sweet on Sugar Lounge The Sugar Lounge brand will soon be seen nationwide after the Manchester bar was bought by Midlands entrepreneur Kish Kuchhadia for £1m. Kuchhadia plans to spend a further £100,000 updating the cocktail bar before opening venues in Birmingham and London. Hosts offered free DES help for Xmas The Portman Group is offering free advertising material to licensees for its "I'll be DES" campaign to discourage drink driving over Christmas. The free packs contain items including postcards, badges and posters and an A5 leaflet suggesting ways hosts can promote the message. See www.portmangroup.org.uk Huge brew vessels arrive at Coors Coors Brewers received a delivery of four massive brewing vessels this week. The 23m long, 35-tonne vessels can brew up to 2,500 barrels of beer at one time. The new equipment is part of a £25m investment at the Burton site to improve the quality of lager production. Why Budda'sfull of Beans The Budda Group has announced plans to opensix coffee shops within the year. The company, which owns seven bars inScotland, will open Budda Beans in Kilmarnock inmid-October.
