Food & Drink

Disappointing: Drinks sales down for fifth consecutive week but brighter trading ahead (Credit:Getty/izusek)

Drinks sales down for fifth week in a row

By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales across the on-premise have fallen for the fifth week in a row, but more “favourable” trading conditions are on the horizon.

Poll: Are perceptions around cask changing for the better?

THE CASK PROJECT

VOTE NOW: Are perceptions of cask ale changing for the better?

By Rebecca Weller

Independent breweries have been hailed as the “saviours” of the cask category as the segment battles falling sales, but are perceptions of cask changing? Have your say now in the Morning Advertiser's poll.

What now for Brewdog?

End of an era?

By Ed Bedington

As BrewDog’s James Watt steps down from leading the disruptor business he founded, does this mark a watershed moment for the operation?

CMBC and Thornbridge Brewery collaboration on Union Sets

CMBC announces update about Union Sets

By Nikkie Thatcher

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) and Thornbridge have teamed up to establish a Burton Union System at Thornbridge’s Riverside brewery in Bakewell, Derbyshire using Union Sets from Marston’s Brewery.

Joseph Holt teams up with Belle Vue Aces speedway team

THE CASK PROJECT

Joseph Holt on track with speedway team

By Gary Lloyd

Manchester-based brewer and pub operator Joseph Holt has joined forces with speedway team Belle Vue Aces to produce a new beer specifically for sale to racetrack fans.

The Cask Project: St Austell Brewery scoops three awards at SIBA South West Independent Beer Awards 2024

THE CASK PROJECT

St Austell scoops trio of awards

By Rebecca Weller

St Austell Brewery has scooped three silver awards at the Society of Independent Brewers Association (SIBA) South West Independent Beer Awards 2024.

Official stats: data from SIBA shows there were 38 fewer breweries in the first three months of the year compared to the previous quarter

38 fewer breweries so far in 2024

By Nikkie Thatcher

The UK brewing industry has seen a net closure rate of 38 in the first quarter of 2024, new figures have shown.

Talks offered: CMBC said it has not received a response from CAMRA after offering to hold face-to-face talks weeks ago

CAMRA takes ‘Fresh Ale’ fight to Government

By Gary Lloyd

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has taken its fight against ‘Fresh Ale’ to the Government in a bid to prevent kegged ale from brewer Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) being dispensing through handpumps.

(credit: Getty/ViewApart)

BEER REPORT 2024

Experts give comment for the Beer Report 2024

By The Morning Advertiser

If you want to know the beer trends to follow, the prices of the best-selling beers across Great Britain and how experts are seeing the future of the beer market for the on-trade – look no further.

Deal done: Mondo founder and MD Todd Matteson and Hogs Back Brewery owner Rupert Thompson

City brewery and brand secures future

By Nikkie Thatcher

Brewing industry veteran Rupert Thompson has agreed an investment deal with London-based craft brewer Mondo, securing the future of the latter’s brands, brewery and taproom.

New product: MCBC introduces two new Rekorderlig flavours

NEW PRODUCTS

MCBC unveils two new Rekorderlig flavours

By Rebecca Weller

Molson Coors Beverage Company (MCBC) has introduced two new flavoured variants to its Rekorderlig cider range, Peach & Raspberry and Blackberry & Blackcurrant.

Flagship site: the Reading town centre taproom and restaurant will be part of the Station Hill development

Siren hits £250,000 fundraising target

By Gary Lloyd

Berkshire-based Siren Craft Brewery has hit its £250,000 crowdfunding target with the aim of using donations to build a flagship bar in Reading.

Timothy Taylor's Dewey argues Fresh Ale may help cask sales

THE CASK PROJECT

Fresh Ale could mean more people go for cask

By Gary Lloyd

Despite complaints about ‘Fresh Ale’ being poured through hand-pulls, Timothy Taylor’s Tim Dewey believes if it draws people to the cask category – then it’s not a problem.

How to boost spirits sales in pubs

DRINKS MASTERCLASS

Top tips for expanding your reputation for spirits

By Rebecca Weller

As spirits sales continue to struggle across the on-trade, The Morning Advertiser (The MA) has looked into how pubs can maximise opportunities to push growth within the category.

Cask thoughts: Tim Bird met with Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt off the back of his previous opinion article on The MA

OPINION

OPINION: Pubs cannot afford to fail the ale test

By Tim Bird, owner of Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns

It has been a busy time since my last ‘Opinion’ article when I shared my concerns that, as an industry, we are at times a little too ‘doom and gloom’ and raised the question as to whether we are asking Government for too many things to help our cause.

New products: This month's round-up features BrewDog Distilling Co, Global Brands, CMBC and more

NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP

Thatchers releases new cider exclusively for pubs

By Rebecca Weller

This month's round-up includes a new cider from Thatchers only available to pubs as well as new products from BrewDog Distilling Co, Global Brands, CMBC and more.

Number crunching: the average price of a pint of beer is £4.94, according the data from The Morning Advertiser (image: Getty/Rouzes

EXCLUSIVE: Average lager pint prices across GB

By Nikkie Thatcher

A survey of The Morning Advertiser readers has shown the difference in pricing of beer across a range of regions and has taken a closer look at the lager category.

Demand for parity: SIBA CEO Andy Slee says investors and Government are not listening to the sector

OPINION

OPINION: How are we viewed by the outside world?

By Andy Slee, chief executive, Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA)

I recently took a call from a broadsheet journalist wanting to do a piece on “Why all breweries are closing and why cask beer is dead?”

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