Drinks

'Don't let a coffee cost a life' message considered by Government

15-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government is reportedly drafting hard-hitting adverts designed to make the public think twice before leaving home for a takeaway drink.

Down the drain: pubs report thousands worth of wasted stock

13-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub operators have described thousands of pounds worth of wasted stock, which has gone out of date or had to be thrown away amid England's third lockdown.

Takeaway pint ban means 'lifeline strangled'

06-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has been slammed for banning pubs from selling takeaway pints during England’s third national lockdown.

How has 2020 changed people and pubs?

‘We spent more than £100k to trade for 6 hours’

22-Dec-2020 By Chris Tulloch, MD Blind Tiger Inns

In the third instalment of our series looking back on the past 12 months, we hear from Blind Tiger Inns’ Chris Tulloch and his reflections on opening a pub on the day the UK entered its first nationwide lockdown.

£2.6bn pub sales nosedive predicted during December

21-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

New data from pay-at-table app OrderPay has revealed that potential sales of at least £2.6bn will be lost during December under the latest raft of Government-mandated trading restrictions and business closures.

Jobs round-up

Hospitality job losses, BAME in Hospitality renamed, New Heineken MD, Minister for hospitality debate

17-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

In addition to the release of Office of National Statistics figures for hospitality job losses, there have been updates from Heineken UK, Only A Pavement Away, Laine Brew Co and Ten Locks in the past week.

Sponsored by Diageo

How to install draught cocktails

11-Dec-2020 By The Morning Advertiser

The growth of draught cocktail technology means pubs with little time or bar space to make cocktails can now easily tap into this profitable category.

Sales 'wipe out' for wet-led pubs

11-Dec-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Wet-led pubs saw sales all but wiped out during November, data from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker shows.

New product round-up

Beavertown revives Tempus Project, Kingstone Press low alcohol cider, Fever-Tree creates new mixer

11-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

A wave of product launches includes new creations from Beavertown, Aluna Coconut, Signature Brew and Fever-Tree.

New product round-up

Coca-Cola launches into Europe alcohol market, new spirits celebrate Birmingham, Salty Tiers released

04-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Amid a wave of new spirit launches, the Coca-Cola Company has announced that Topo Chico Hard Seltzer has reached the UK.

Cinemas serving pints without food 'outrageous'

01-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Operators have said it “beggars belief” that cinema-goers will be allowed to order just alcohol while pub goers must eat-in when lockdown laws lift.

New product round-up

Captain Sir Tom Moore charity gin, new Gemma Collins liqueur ‘worthy of any diva’, World Cup winner unveils ale

27-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

In addition to more festive and low-alcohol pours, Captain Sir Tom Moore, Gemma Collins and Rugby World Cup winner Steve Thompson MBE have announced new drinks launches.

The Drinks List

The Drinks List – Top Brands to Stock in 2021

27-Nov-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Despite being closed for four months, facing strict curfews, tier systems and enduring a second national lockdown, drinks sales in the on-trade were strong when the sector was open.

Average pint of cider price up to £3.88

12-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The average cost a pint of cider in the on-trade has risen 6p year on year to £3.88, new research has found.

Scottish Government urged to extend opening hours

11-Nov-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Scottish pubs have been severed a “sucker punch” by the Government with its new levelled system of coronavirus measures, according to one trade group.

Sponsored by Heineken

How much could upskilling bar staff during lockdown boost pub profits?

10-Nov-2020 By The Morning Advertiser

While skipping keg day and ignoring pour form can leave profits languishing in drip trays, a renewed focus on staff training while venues are closed can help publicans boost their bottom line at a time when it matters most.

New product round-up

‘World’s strongest gin’, Jurassic Park actor’s whiskey collaboration, brewer creates Burnham beer

06-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

A pair of scientists launch what they claim is the world's strongest gin, Salford-based Seven Bro7hers brews Andy Burnham tribute and Samuel Gelston’s launches its latest Irish whiskey matured in Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill’s Pinot Noir casks.

New product round-up

Gin-spiration: Charity 10pm curfew spirit launch, ‘bottle for life’ roll-out, new pour to fund arctic row

30-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

A raft recent spirit launches includes new pours from Salcombe Distilling Company and Laphroaig, as well as charity focused Sis4ers Distillery and Northwest Passage Expedition gins.

Jobs round-up

Hawkes founder steps down, Burnham beer staff fundraiser, Red Mist to ‘give back’ apprentice grants

29-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

The latest on-trade job news includes the departure of Hawkes founder Simon Wright, the launch of a fundraising scheme revolving around an Andy Burnham inspired beer, a cash windfall for Red Mist apprentices and a new hire for George Clooney's tequila...

Alcohol restrictions leave Scottish pubs in ‘no man's land’

28-Oct-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Scottish pubs will face varying restrictions on serving alcohol when a new levelled system of coronavirus restrictions begins on Monday 2 November.

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Bad wine experiences, blind tasting and tier 2

28-Oct-2020 By Ed Bedington

In this week's episode of The MA's Lock In podcast, Ed Bedington, James Cuthbertson and Heath Ball talk bad experiences drinking wine, tier two and Ball is treated to a blind wine tasting, but will he guess them right? Tune in to the latest...

Rum crowned ‘the drink of lockdown’

27-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

New figures from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) have revealed rum enjoyed the biggest growth across all spirits categories during lockdown.

Sales in 'high' Covid alert tier pubs halved

22-Oct-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubs, bars and restaurants in the ‘high’ alert tier saw a sales drop of between 46% and 54% from Thursday 15 October to Saturday 17 October, new figures have found.

Drink-led sites saw 22.7% sales dip in September

19-Oct-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Wet-led pubs suffered the most last month (September) as they saw total sales drop 22.7% on the year before, according to numbers from CGA.

New product round-up

Coors Light rebrand, new gin to raise funds for hospitality sector, Madrí Excepcional UK launch

16-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

Amid a swathe of spirit launches, Molson Coors Beverage Company announced the rebrand of Coors Light and UK launch of Madrí Excepcional, while a new not-for-profit gin brand launched to raise funds for the UK's embattled hospitality sector.

A second bite: how to grow your autumn and winter cider pickings?

12-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

While operators may have missed a large chunk of the summer cider love-in this year, far from serving up a rotten apple, autumn and winter could yet offer a golden opportunity for profits.

New product round-up

Wave of new spirit expressions launch, Barbados Sea Turtle Project partner rum to hit UK

09-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

Intercontinental Brands has added a spiced rum pledging 10% of its profits to the Barbados Sea Turtle Project to its brand portfolio, while new spirit releases from the likes of The Moore House Cocktail Company, JJ Whitley Vodka, Jatt Life also landed....

Ei Publican Partnerships to give away 100,000 free drinks

01-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

Ei Publican Partnerships has unveiled free drinks campaign ‘Here’s to the Pub’ offering a complimentary tipple to guests at more than 1,000 pubs throughout October.

Parliament U-turn on alcohol in own bars after 10pm

28-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Parliament has U-turned on allowing its bars to sell alcohol past 10pm after publicans were left reeling following news of the curfew exemption.

August sales return to 2019 levels for food-led groups

11-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Food-led managed pub groups saw collective like-for-like sales return to 2019 levels last month amid the Government's discount meals initiative.

Campaign aims to branch out from 'inner cider circle'

03-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

More than 30 cidermakers have united in a campaign to grow the visibility of cider among the British public and encourage punters to be adventurous within the category.

Pub crawls should be 'things of the past still', says minister

26-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Punters should not be drinking in large groups such as stag and hen parties, the Welsh health minister has said.

Coca-Cola pledges to support pubs in its 'Open Like Never Before' push

30-Jul-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Coca-Cola Great Britain has launched a new campaign, Open Like Never Before, which focuses on the social changes that have occurred during the coronavirus pandemic, encouraging people to find opportunity in the ‘new normal’.

#Unitedwestand

Consumers 'increasingly seeking low-and-no options' to support lockdown wellness goals

15-May-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Lockdown can affect people in different ways and, once it is eased, people must be able to cope. One way could be to sample lower alcohol drinks in the off-trade.

The glass is always greener - how are drink makers embracing sustainability?

14-Feb-2020 By Alice Leader

As consumers remain concerned over sustainability issues, what is the industry doing to prove its commitment to being more environmentally friendly?

Which drinks trends have caught on in 2019?

12-Dec-2019 By Nikkie Thatcher

Whether your customers still love their beer or perhaps a spirit, while others may not indulge in alcohol at all, there have been plenty of trends to take advantage of this year.

Drink Tank

Drink suppliers must 'innovate or die'

29-Nov-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Drink producers must innovate with new drinks to ensure they are stocked in the on-trade as the market becomes saturated with fresh products, according to Jonny Jones, director of client services at CGA.

Parents shunning sodas for children at pub

22-Oct-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Pub operators have responded to increased concern from parents over the sugary contents in their children’s drinks by adapting their menus.

No 'one female palate' for World Cup watchers in pubs

31-May-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Sport pub and fan network MatchPint are reminding operators not fall into gendered drinking stereotypes during this summer's Women’s World Cup.

DRINKS LIST 2019

What is the best-selling cider in the on-trade?

19-Nov-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Strongbow is the most popular cider sold in pubs, according to data published in this year's Drinks List from The Morning Advertiser.

Less isn't always more

02-Oct-2015 By Jessica Mason

Honesty and transparency in drinks creation is important, but so is the skill of a good blend. It is something that has been overlooked for some time. Why? Because, these days, we’re a bit suspicious of anything rogue. Is there horse meat in it? Nuts?...

Spirits, beers & new drinks trends

14-May-2014 By Jessica Mason

A closer look at the drinking styles that are grabbing consumers’ attention this year including a few opportunities for pub owners to consider.

Preparing for summer: Selecting your pubs' drinks offer

15-Apr-2013 By Sonya Hook

It’s hard to imagine sunshine after the gloom and cold of the past few months, but warmer weather is on its way. And while we don’t have the Olympics and international football tournaments to look forward to this summer, there’s still plenty that publicans...

Pre-loading: shock figures revealed

11-Nov-2010 By John Harrington

All young adults drink at home before a weekend night out — with the average man consuming nearly four drinks before leaving. That's a key finding of a him! survey of 503 18 to 24-year-olds, commissioned by the Morning Advertiser.

Party Drinks: Serve up a celebration

28-Oct-2010

The season to be jolly is nearly upon us. For many pubs this also means a jump in sales of what you might call 'occasion' drinks. The term applies...

Drinks promo crackdown starts

29-Apr-2010 By John Harrington

Colchester bars have been ordered to ditch promotions offering a set number of drinks for a fixed entry fee — and are "encouraged" to stick to a...

Blue-sky drinking

01-May-2008

British weather is an unpredictable beast, but pubs should be planning their drinks offers in the hope that the rain clouds stay away, says Graham...

Independent audit for drinks marketing

19-Feb-2008 By Ewan Turney

Portman Group has announced an independent audit of drinks marketing

Mixability focus: Cold temperature, cool serve?

29-Jan-2008

I mean, it's just bloody frozen water after all. How the hell did we end up here? It will remain one of the great mysteries of my professional life...

Drinking habits: Trying something new

02-Oct-2007

INNOVATION IS one of the key planks of any drinks marketing strategy - both individual brands and whole categories will not progress unless there is...