BrandsBriefs
Diageo trials alcoholic water
Diageo is trialling a new Smirnoff-branded alcoholic sparkling water in Texas, USA. If trials are successful, Diageo says the water could be rolled out in the US, but it is not yet known if it will cross the Atlantic.
Spooky Strongbow
Strongbow is joining forces with LIVINGtv's Most Haunted Live programme for the return of its Hallowe'en promotion. Strongbow's scratchcard promotion will run in 13,500 pubs and clubs, giving Strongbow drinkers the chance to win an audition to participate in the show, which investigates paranormal happenings. A range of PoS material will be available, including posters and table cards plus branded promotion kits.
Glassy look for Budvar
Budweiser Budvar has used a more traditional design for its new range of branded glassware. The gold Budvar logo is surmounted by the civic badge of the beer's hometown of Budweis. Glass shapes now include the Iconic, a half pint tankard; the Bohème half pint; the Senator pint glass and the Prague half-pint and pint glasses. The previous glass featured a red Budvar logo with the message "discover the original" in black on the side of the glass. UK sales and marketing director Neville Hall said: "The design was fine, but it wasn't Budvar."
Whisky - for peat's sake
Scotland's Bruichladdich Distillery on the Isle of Islay is launching its first whisky in more than 70 years. PC5 Evolution is the first ever Port Charlotte single malt whisky, and is heavily peated with an abv of 63.5%. Distillery managing director Mark Reynier said: "The whisky is highly peated, in homage to the people who built the distillery in 1881."
PC5 Evolution is the first whisky Reynier has distilled after taking on the distillery in 2001.
Sweet ale from Sussex
Sussex-based Dark Star brewery is launching a Double Chocolate Stout. The 4.5% abv beer is the latest of the brewer's monthly, limited-edition beers designed to "cater for variety-loving real-ale drinkers". Mark Tranter, the head brewer, said: "We love traditional beers, but so many styles of ale are ignored by the mainstream."
