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Re-sealable Soft Drinks Can To Be Launched In UK

A new energy drink that comes in a re-sealable can is to be launched in the UK. Aimia Foods' No Fear Extreme Energy soft drink is to come in a 485ml can and will use a unique "twist and shut" closing mechanism. The re-sealing feature means that the beverage can stay carbonated for up to 24 hours after opening. Neal Haworth, category marketing manager at Aimia Foods, said that the new drink was a "hugely exciting proposition". He went on to say that: "A well-established brand, already synonymous with extreme sports and attention grabbing campaigns, No Fear is edgy and holds massive appeal with energy drinks' key audience." The beverage is targeted at a young male audience and Mr Haworth believes that the innovative closing feature and the No Fear branding will appeal to this group. Aimia Foods produces a wide range of both hot and cold beverages including coffee and tea for the vending and food service industries, as well as dilutable syrups. [...more]

New Products, News, Non-Alcoholic

Beer Industry Advised How To Keep Kegs And Casks Safe

A campaign has been launched by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) with the aim of reducing the number of casks and kegs that are lost in the UK. According to the BBPA, lost kegs and casks cost the British beer industry around £50 million each year so it has produced a leaflet describing best practice when it comes to storing these beer containers. The Kegaware campaign's leaflet, headed Are You Doing Your Bit?, is being distributed to pubs across the country. Brigid Simmonds, chief executive at BBPA, explained that, at any given time in the UK, there are around eight million kegs in circulation. "Keeping tabs on them is a big challenge, but one we must rise to if we want our unique system of distribution to operate efficiently and effectively for decades to come," she added. According to the BBPA, 90 per cent of the beer drunk in the UK is made in the nation and the brewing and pub industry contributes more than £28 billion to its economy. [...more]

Beer, News

Chilli And Chocolate Ale Hits South-West

St Austell Brewery has launched a chilli and chocolate ale in selected pubs across the south-west. Cockleroaster (4.5% abv), brewed with pale and roasted malt with dark chocolate and finely-chopped chillis, is the first new beer of the brewery's 2010 programme. The ale has been produced with the help of the award-winning South Devon Chilli Farm. "We're really excited about launching Cockleroaster, the first of many interesting and innovative seasonal ales that we'll be introducing throughout 2010," said head brewer Roger Ryman. [...more]

Beer, New Products, News

VIA Wines Appoints New Distro For Oveja Negra

Maule-based winery VIA Wines has appointed Hallgarten Druitt to distribute its Oveja Negra brand. Hallgarten Druitt will take over responsibility for handling on- and off-trade sales within the UK with immediate effect. Packaging for the Reserva, Single Vineyard, and Lost Barrel ranges has undergone an extensive overhaul by Amphora Design. The Reserva range reflects Oveja Negra's innovation, featuring unusual new blends such as Sauvignon Blanc with Carmenère. The Single Vineyard range incorporates a Carmenère, Carignan, and a Syrah. The 2008 vintage of Oveja Negra's flagship wine, the Lost Barrel has also just launched. [...more]

Announcements, News, People, Wines

Innis & Gunn sets up US Arm

Scottish beer company Innis & Gunn has formed a US operational arm - Innis & Gunn USA. The new company, led by Dan DeLuca, will be responsible for the distribution and marketing of the Innis & Gunn range as the US becomes a key focus for securing the brand's continued growth. Figures for 2009 released next month are expected to show a 30% YoY rise in turnover. Currently, the US accounts for 3% of Innis & Gunn sales, but with the 'craft' beer category in the US making up 16% of the total US beer market, there is opportunity for growth. [...more]

Beer, News

Hi-Spirits Sambuca Hots up

Adventurous sambuca fans can now tickle their tastebuds with a hot and spicy flavour. Producer Hi-Spirits has added a chilli variant to its Antica Sambuca range, and the unusual flavour is expected to appeal both on its own and also as a spicy addition to cocktails and long drinks. "The popularity of classic sambuca, along with our innovative flavour variants, has helped to drive the growth of sambuca as a category, spearheaded by the Antica brand," said Hi-Spirits chairman, Jeremy Hill. Over the last few years the company has worked to re-position Antica as not just a brand for shot-style drinks, but also as a versatile ingredient in cocktails, long drinks and summer pitcher serves. The new flavour follows last October's launch by Hi-Spirits of a two-strong sambuca-based sparkling drinks range. Sambuca Longshots, which are 4% ABV drinks served in 275ml bottles, were launched in two flavours: Raspberry Refresher, a mix of raspberry, sambuca & lemon, and Black Bite, a mix of black sambuca and lemon. [...more]

New Products, News, Spirits

Employees of closing RC Cola-7UP Buena Park offered jobs at other plant

Employees from the closing RC Cola-7UP plant in California have been offered jobs at Dr Pepper Snapple Group's new plant in the south of the state. Some 119 employees are to lose their jobs when the soft drinks maker closes with the first round of lay-offs scheduled to happen this week. "To date, we've received applications from 27 Buena Park employees and made offers to 11 of them for positions at the new plant," Dr Pepper Snapple Group spokesman Chris Barnes told the Daily Press. [...more]

Announcements, News, Non-Alcoholic