Drinks

Next chapter: Black Sheep Brewery has been acquired by Breal Group (Credit: Getty/andresr)

Black Sheep acquired by Breal Group

By Rebecca Weller

North Yorkshire-based Black Sheep Brewery, its shop and pubs have been acquired by lending and advisory firm Breal Group.

Personnel change: David Haworth is to be replaced by Julia Massies from September this year

Pernod Ricard UK MD to retire

By Nikkie Thatcher

Managing director of Pernod Ricard UK David Haworth is set to retire later this year after a career of more than three decades at the business.

New products: this week's round up includes Bathtub Gin, Camden Town Brewery, Otter Brewery, Jam Shed, Black Sheep Brewery, Salcombe Distilling Co., Seven Brothers and Hive Mind Brewery

NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP

Bathtub Gin releases new seasonal flavour

By Rebecca Weller

This week's round-up features new products from Bathtub Gin, Camden Town Brewery, Otter Brewery, Jam Shed, Black Sheep Brewery, Salcombe Distilling Co., Seven Brothers and Hive Mind Brewery.

Operator opinion: Dom Hope-Smith is the director and co-founder of Carnival Brewing Company in Liverpool shares his views on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's comments about cheaper beer prices (image: Colin Lane)

OPINION

Sunak’s smoke and mirrors won’t bring down the cost of a pint

By Dom Hope-Smith, director and co-founder, Carnival Brewing Company

During a recent trip to Japan on his way to the G7 summit, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave a press interview in which he was quoted as saying: “We reformed the alcohol duties that mean this summer you will be able to get cheaper beer in pubs. These are...

Spiralling costs: draught lager prices soar by 11% year-on-year (Credit: Getty/mikedabell)

Draught lager prices soar by 11%

By Rebecca Weller

The average cost of a pint of draught lager increased by 11% in the year to April 2023, figures from the Office For National Statistics (ONS) have revealed.

Political delusions on cheap beer are damaging

OPINION

Delusions of cheaper beer is beyond naive Prime Minister

By Ed Bedington

You have to wonder if politicians really believe the things they say because our Prime Minister’s recent comments about how one of the benefits of Brexit has been the delivery of cheaper beer does seem to fly in the face of reality.

Increased balance sheet strength: improved results have led to dividends for C&C shareholders (credit: Getty/DenisMArt)

C&C: challenging conditions to remain, net revenue up 18.4%

By Gary Lloyd

Drinks business C&C Group said it expects macroeconomic conditions to continue affecting trade adversely – particularly in Great Britain – but also announced an 18.4% boost to net revenue in its results for the 12 months ended 28 February (FY23).

The Morning Advertiser Lock In Podcast episode 61

The Lock In Podcast

Black gold: Why is Guinness so popular?

By Ed Bedington

Guinness is an iconic brand that has stood the test of time and continues to forge a path others can only dream of. The Lock In team takes a closer look and asks: Why is Guinness the only show in town?*

Diageo md reflects on first year in job

Big Interview

The undercover boss

By Ed Bedington

There won’t be many captains of industry that look to stay close to the coalface, but for one top boss, playing an undercover role behind the bar is key to understanding his business.

Story time: Heath Ball at the Red Lion & Sun writes stories about wines rather than tasting notes (credit: Getty/SolStock)

FEATURE: Wine

FEATURE: Let your pub shine with wine

By Michelle Perrett

There are some fantastic pubs serving amazing wines in the UK – but the pub sector does have some challenges to overcome in the category because it has a reputation for being focused on developing its beer menus rather than targeting wine sales.

Otter Brewery launches 'new category' beer Fresh Ale

The Cask Project

Otter Brewery launches ‘new category’ beer

By Gary Lloyd

Family-run Devon business Otter Brewery claims to have launched a new category of beer that “bridges the gap between craft, cask and lager”.

Outgoing CEO: David Forde saw C&C Group through the troubled Covid-19 period

David Forde quits as CEO at C&C

By Gary Lloyd

Drinks company C&C Group has announced David Forde is to step down from his role as chief executive and will cease to be a director with immediate effect – but will be available to help ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.

Reconsider your offer: soft drinks can reap huge rewards (credit: Getty/LeoPatrizi)

£170m booty waiting from soft drinks trade-up says Britvic

By Gary Lloyd

Operators could ease the ongoing financial pain by boosting sales by £170m by encouraging 10% of customers to trade up from tap water to a soft drink, according to the Britvic’s Licensed Soft Drinks Review 2023.

New products: this week's round-up features Funkin Cocktails, Adnams and Robinson's Brewery

Funkin Cocktails introduces three new flavours

By Rebecca Weller

This week's round-up features new products from Funkin Cocktails, Adnams, BrewDog Distilling Co., Robinsons Brewery, Sovereign Brands, Meantime Brewery, Mydflower Sparkling Wine and Siren Craft Brew.

Delicious balance: how to make a Mango Martini using Belgrove Hazelnut Rum (Credit: Getty/SolStock)

DRINKS MASTERCLASS

How to make a Mango Martini

By Rebecca Weller

In this week’s Drinks Masterclass, Belgrove Rum founder Edmund Wood shares how to create a Mango Martini (11% ABV) using the brand’s Hazelnut Rum.

On track: James Brown and the Duckpin bowling attraction at BrewDog Waterloo

BrewDog’s praise for ‘passionate believers’

By Gary Lloyd

BrewDog Bars CEO James Brown has heaped praise on fellow Publican Awards finalists for having the bravery to open new sites while the industry was exiting Covid-restricted times.

New products: Dead Man's Fingers announces new rum

NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP

Dead Man's Fingers reveals new flavoured rum

By Rebecca Weller

This week's round-up features new products from Dead Man's Fingers, Salcombe Distillery, Greene King, Peony Wine, Arkell's Brewery and Kavka Vodka.

Perfect storm: Government has not done enough to protect brewers from events beyond their control (Credit: Getty/LauriPatterson)

Gov 'hasn't done enough' to protect brewers

By Rebecca Weller

Black Sheep Brewery’s notice to appoint administrators shows the Government “simply hasn’t done enough”, The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) has claimed.

Drinks Masterclass: how to make Milk Thistle bar's Lady in Red cocktail (Credit: Getty/SolStock)

Drinks Masterclass

How to make a Lady in Red cocktail

By Rebecca Weller

This week’s Drinks Masterclass showcases a Lady In Red cocktail (22% ABV) from Bristol-based cocktail bar the Milk Thistle.

Over the moon: A launch party on 13 May will celebrate the new beer (credit: Getty/ LauriPatterson)

Bright start for Snowmoon Brewing

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Snowmoon Brewing is launching in May as the project of London-based friends Joon Chung and Oli Edmonds.

Black Sheep Brewery to host Drink Cask Beer Festival for second year

The Cask Project

Black Sheep Brewery to host 2nd cask festival

By Gary Lloyd

Black Sheep Brewery is hosting a free-to-attend beer festival this weekend (28-30 April) that will feature beers from Yorkshire brewers such as Timothy Taylor’s and Saltaire.

New products: this week's round-up features Westons Cider, Camden Town Brewery, Theakston Brewery, Salcombe Brewery and Sheppy's Cider, Hepworth Brewery, Brockmans Gin and Whitebox Cocktails

NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP

Westons launches new Rosie's Pig variant

By Rebecca Weller

This week's round-up features new products from Westons Cider, Camden Town Brewery, Brockmans Gin, Theakston Brewery, Salcombe Brewery, Whitebox Cocktails, Hepworth Brewery and Sheppy's Cider.

Thanks for the memories: Fallen Acorn Brewery was founded in 2016 (credit: Getty/ Monty Rakusen)

Inflationary costs force microbrewery to shut

By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Hampshire-based brewery Fallen Acorn has been forced to enter liquidation due to the storm of inflation, Covid, and the soaring costs of utilities and material goods.

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Property of the week

KENT - HIGH QUALITY FAMILY FRIENDLY PUB

£ 60,000 - Leasehold

Busy location on coastal main road Extensively renovated detached public house Five trade areas (100)  Sizeable refurbished 4-5 bedroom accommodation Newly created beer garden (125) Established and popular business...

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