'Beer sales slump to the lowest point since 1975'

UK beer sales have fallen through the five billion litre mark for the first time since 1975 thanks to the consumer downturn and smoking ban. News that annual beer sales have slipped below 50m hectolitres comes as a further blow to an industry already suffering as pubs go out of business and brewers are forced to consolidate. The Telegraph​

Scottish Justice Minister Kenny Macaskill has defended his war on Scotland's 'shameful' booze culture. He said "I like going to the pub to discuss football, the universe or whatever" but stressed that tourists visiting Edinburgh will "see folk lying and rolling around drunk - lawyers and doctors and everyone - because that's what we do in Scotland." The Scotsman​

Remy Cointreau's full-year 2007/08 current operating profit rose 3.8 per cent to 159.6 million euros ($247.9 million), helped by higher sales. The French wines and spirits group said it would hike its dividend by 8 per cent. Turnover rose 4.1 per cent to 817.8 million euros. Reuters​

Anheuser-Busch's board of directors must start negotiating with InBev to reach a deal that will benefit shareholders, according to a Busch family member. Adolphus A Busch IV, an uncle of chief executive August Busch IV, has written to the brewer's board saying InBev's £23.4bn takeover offer provided an opportunity for Anheuser brands, which include Budweiser, to compete globally. The Scotsman​

After four days of coffee brewing, Irish barista Stephen Morrissey has won the ninth annual World Barista Championship, impressing judges by flambeing a drink of panna cotta, blueberries, chocolate and espresso. Reuters ​