Carlsberg has launched Vintage 3 - the third in an exclusive beer trilogy.

Under the leadership of Jacobsen Brewery’s brewmaster, Morten Ibsen, six Carlsberg brewers from Norway, France, Great Britain and Denmark helped develop Vintage 3.

Meanwhile, three artists - Kaspar Bonnén and two artists from the project ‘Radiant Copenhagen’ - joined forces to create six unique labels that tell the story of what Carlsberg City may look like in the future.

The basic recipe for Vintage 3 was developed in Copenhagen; it was then further developed at Kronenbourg Innovation Centre in France and according to Carlsberg, it is the only currently available beer to be aged in French Côte d’Or oak barrels in JC Jacobsen’s original cellar from 1847.

At the end of February 2010, approximately 1,000 bottles were hand tapped and the labels were applied.

15%abv Vintage 3 is a so-called ‘pale barley wine’ and Morten Ibsen said: “The beer has a golden, bubbly appearance. It gives a warm feeling on the palate and has a nearly ‘fat’ fullness that reveals the beer’s close kinship with sweet dessert wines.

“The beer has a wealth of deep oak, vanilla and nutty aromas from the barrel aging, combined with sweet fruits from the fermentation; it is a perfect choice for sweet desserts and cheeses.”

A number of beers are being bottled for the first time by the Hop Valley Brewing Company in Springfield, Oregon, it has been revealed, which could interest those looking at packaging research.

This follows the launch of its ales at a pub in the nearby area and the transition will enable home consumers to enjoy its beverages, the Register Guard has reported.

Jonas Kungys, one of the firm’s owner-partners, stated that the company is new and is simply reacting to demand for its Elias Briggs Cream Ale, Alphadelic IPA and Natty Red Imperial Red Ale.

He said: “It just makes sense. We’re doing a great job in the marketplace. People are asking for our bottles left and right, so we’re just catering to what people are asking for.”

Mr Kungys suggested that, by bottling the beers, it will allow those who do not tend to go to bars or restaurants to enjoy the beverages, which could influence those looking for packaging research.

The company is headed up by Trevor Howard, who has received a total of 41 beer brewing awards from seven international competitions since 2004.

Montana will feature in an advertising campaign designed to reinforce its position as a quality New Zealand brand.

Pernod Ricard UK is launching the campaign this April with television adverts supported by the recent introduction of new packaging across Montana’s Classic and Reserve ranges.

“Montana is committed to continuing to leading development of the New Zealand wine category in 2010. We expect TV advertising to make a million new customers aware of it,” said marketing controller Mathew Bird.

“This marketing campaign will really cement our brand values in the mind of the consumers.”

E&J Gallo Winery plans to expand its on-trade distribution in the UK this year and its Barefoot brand will be the one to watch, it announced today.

The Californian-based family-owned wine producer restructured its portfolio last year, leaving five core brands for it to focus on in the UK and Europe for 2010: Gallo Family Vineyards, Turning Leaf, Redwood Creek, Carlo Rossi and Barefoot.

“We are looking to expand our route to market and our on-trade presence and we will heavily invest in the on-trade despite difficult market conditions at the moment,” said regional sales director UK and Ireland, Mark Tinsley.

And rosé wine will continue to play a big part in Gallo’s growth plans for the UK, according to Tinsley.

“Rosé continues to drive growth and the top five rosés in the UK are branded. Gallo has two within the top three of these.”

Rosé wine will feature as part of the 2010 strategy for its Gallo Family Vineyard portfolio, with the lanch of the Gallo Rosito - a new cocktail concept using the brand’s White Genache mixed with ginger ale and fresh fruit. A Pinot Noir will also be launched under the GFV label.

Separately, the company highlighted its Barefoot brand as the ‘brand to watch’ for 2010.

“It will be the most exciting brand in UK and Europe this year,” said vice president EMEA George Marsden. “We have very aggressive marketing plans for the brand and we will be investing heavily in it.”

A beer celebrating a school’s 150th anniversary has been created by Hook Norton Brewery in Oxfordshire.

A Shining Light derives its name from Bloxham’s School’s Latin motto - Justorum Semita Lux Splendens (the path of the just is a shining light). The school has close links with the local community.

“We are very pleased that the family-owned Hook Norton Brewery, founded 11 years before the school in 1860, is supporting us in this way,” said headmaster Mark Allbrook.

For every bottle sold, 5p is donated to the school’s chosen charities.

“A Shining Light is a wonderful way of celebrating our 150th anniversary while raising money for the school’s chosen charities - the Katharine House Hospice; the Tsogo Home Care Project in South Africa, an orphanage for the victim of aids, and the Disaster Emergency Committee Haiti Earthquake Appeal.”

Waitrose has become the first UK retailer to sell a fair-trade carbonated beverage - Ubuntu Cola.

It is the first cola to carry the Fairtrade mark in the UK and uses fair-trade sugar from the Kasinthula Cooperative in Malawi and the Kaleya Cooperative in Zambia.

The Ubuntu Trading Company will donate at least 15 per cent of its annual profits to the Ubuntu Africa Program, which benefits the farmers who grow the company’s sugar cane and their families.

James Hodgson, drinks buyer at Waitrose, said: “Ubuntu Cola is an example of the great things we can do with Fairtrade, and it is a pleasure to be able to stock a drink which is playing such a positive role in the industry.”

The beverage is available in 50 Waitrose stores for 59p per 330ml can.

Fizzy drinks giant the Coca-Cola Company last month announced that it had agreed to test fuel cells powered by environmentally friendly biogas to power its Odwalla juice packaging plant in Dinuba, California.

Cranberry juice producer Ocean Spray has added two new blueberry drinks to its product portfolio.

Coca-Cola Enterprises took over the distribution of the brand last month, so is to be responsible for selling Ocean Spray Blueberry and Blueberry Light, the Morning Advertiser reports.

The fruit beverages are available in one-litre cartons that are taller and slimmer than the brands previous packaging and have a new cap for better pouring.

A TV advertising campaign will soon be launched, promoting Ocean Spray’s beverages as mixers to go with spirits, as well as being a good soft drinks on their own.

Caroline Philiponnet-Bethnell, brand development controller at Coca-Cola Enterprises, said: “Our partnership with Ocean Spray is great news for the still juice and juice sector in on-premise.”

Last month, Ocean Spray teamed up with chef Ming Tsai to create a number of cranberry inspired Chinese recipes to celebrate the Chinese new year.

“Cranberries team well with just about anything, from sweet to savoury,” said Mr Tsai.

Birell has been evaluated as the best non-alcoholic beer in the Czech Republic by tasters from the country’s breweries and from the Research Institute of Brewing and Malting (RIBM).

A brewer’s event took place earlier this week in Brno, south of the Czech Republic, where results from the 18th annual tasting competition called Zlaty Pohar Pivex (Pivex Gold Cup) were announced.

Birell won second place in the non-alcoholic beer category at last year’s competition but beat five other brands this year to win the gold medal.

“Birell is one of the best non-alcoholic beers in the Czech Republic. That is why we are pleased that not only consumers but also professionals once again confirmed Birell’s unique taste and quality,” stated Vladimir Vanek, brand manager of Birell.

Last year, SABMiller claimed that Radegast Birell accounted for two out of three non-alcoholic beers sold in the Czech Republic, with its production for the Czech Republic exceeding 320,000 hl in 2008.

Diageo and Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) today announced a joint campaign to boost spirit and mixer sales in pubs.

The companies are investing a combined total of £4m in the initiative, which will promote Gordon’s & Schweppes tonic, Smirnoff & Coca-Cola, Pimm’s & Schweppes lemonade and Bell’s & Coca-Cola. A consumer campaign will run through the summer alongside an on-trade push, which will include PoS and branded glassware kits given to over 10,000 outlets.

“Our commitment to licensees is to help them make more money by providing outlets with the ability to serve fantastic finished drinks,” said Diageo sales director, David Smith. “Our work with CCE will see great category growth and should see repeat footfall for licensees.”

Strongbow cider is toasting the red carpet fitters as part of a tactical press campaign to coincide with the coverage of the Oscars.

The press ads build on the theme of men earning their “Bowtime” and carry the strapline “red carpet fitters, you’ve earned your bowtime”.

The ads will run tomorrow in The Sun, Daily Star, Daily Mirror and Metro National.

“The Oscars rightly recognise the excellence of professionals in the film industry including directors, actors and writers but, as the champion of grafters everywhere, Strongbow is acknowledging the hard work that goes on behind the scenes of an iconic event like this - by giving Hollywood’s Red Carpet fitters a brief taste of their own Red Carpet treatment,” said brand manager Lucy Henderson.

Molson Coors has become the first brewer to commit to achieving a more sustainable use of resources throughout the whole supply chain.

The global brewer is the first brewer to be a founding signatory of WRAP’s Courtauld Commitment 2.

Part one of the agreement aimed to reduce the weight of packaging and waste ending up in household bins.

Part two of the agreement moves away from weight-based targets and aims to achieve more sustainable use of resources over the entire life cycle of products, throughout the whole supply chain.

“Corporate Responsibility at the heart of our business and the way we brew and package our products,” said Molson Coors (UK) supply chain director Martin Thomas.

“We believe this is not only the right thing to do, but also makes great commercial sense.

“Our customers are increasingly telling us that the environment is becoming ever more important to them and also to our UK beer drinkers.

“At Molson Coors (UK) we continue to explore opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and waste right throughout our supply chain - from when the British Barley arrives at our Maltings right up to the moment when the beer is poured into the glass.”

Currently, more than 95% of products and waste at Molson Coors (UK) breweries are reused or recycled.

The majority of Molson Coors packaging materials are either recyclable, refillable, or light weighted.

Gaymer Cider Company will bring Dry Blackthorn cider back to fans in the South West following a Facebook campaign to bring back the original recipe.

Blackthorn was relaunched nationally a year ago with a new look and taste, and, according to the producer, the relaunch has been successful with sales increases of 4%. However, Dry Blackthorn fans across Bristol and the South West have been campaigning passionately for a return to the original recipe.

In response the producer will now make the original draught Dry Blackthorn recipe available again, having first broken the news to the Facebook campaigners in a private meeting in Bristol.

Dry Blackthorn will sit alongside the regular Blackthorn liquid.

“We underestimated the passion people in the South West have for Dry Blackthorn and have been bowled over by their determination to get their favourite cider back,” said md Peter Spencer.

“Before we changed the recipe 12 months ago we conducted extensive customer research, both locally and nationally, and many cider drinkers told us they liked the new, more contemporary taste. This has been followed up by increased Blackthorn sales nationally as new consumers are won over by the mellower taste.

“However, once it was launched it became clear that some cider drinkers in the South West wanted the original Dry Blackthorn. We have listened to these supporters and it’s their successful campaigning which has brought Dry Blackthorn back.”

Coors has launched a cold-activated can for its Coors Light brand.

The can features temperature sensitive Rocky Mountain logos on both sides, which turn blue when the beer is at the correct serving temperature.

Coors Light UK brand director, Jeremy Gibson said: “Our drinkers are already demonstrating just how much they love the ice cold, light tasting refreshment that only a Coors Light can deliver; and not only is the brand in 40% growth in the off-trade but households are spending an additional £1m on Coors Light. 20% of Coors Light drinkers are new to the lager category.”

The launch will be announced to consumers, shoppers and customers with a re-edit of the brand’s 2009 Coors Light TV spot, going live across UK television networks from March 11 for  4 weeks.

The new can will be advertised alongside the cold-activated bottle.

The Presidents’ Forum of the beverage alcohol industry has appointed a new executive director. Victoria I. McDowell took up the position on March 1.

Prior to her retirement in February 2010, McDowell was the deputy administrator of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, US Department of the Treasury.

Donald C. MacVean, the current Presidents’ Forum executive director is to retire - he has held the post since 2001.

The Presidents’ Forum is an organisation of chief executive officers of companies in the US that produce or import beer, wine and distilled spirits for sale to independent wholesalers in the US and for export.

The purpose of the Presidents’ Forum is to provide an opportunity for these executives to use their collective experience and expertise in responding to issues affecting the beverage alcohol industry.

Importer and distributor Winebow has appointed a new president. Jon Moramarco will take up the post on March 30. Moramarco will report to Leonardo LoCascio, chairman and CEO of Winebow.

LoCascio said: “Jon’s wealth of knowledge and experience, his commitment to high standards, and his passionate leadership make him an ideal choice to guide our company as we continue to refine our organizational structure and maximise our growth potential.

“Jon’s impressive background managing import and distribution-based businesses, and his proven success with both super-premium and boutique brands will make him a great asset to Winebow.”

Having started his wine career as a twelfth generation winemaker, Moramarco has experience in many areas of the industry. His most recent position was managing partner of BW 166 LLC, an advisory service focused on the wine and beverage industry. Previously, Moramarco spent eighteen years as president and CEO at a variety of companies, including Allied Domecq Wines USA, Canandaigua Wine Company, Icon Estates, Constellation Europe and Constellation International.

Reporting to Moramarco will be group presidents Peter Click of imports, Frank Shobe of distribution, and Scott Ades of finance and operations.

In 2010, Winebow anticipates revenues to be $240 million from its combined import and distribution operations. The company currently employs 470 individuals throughout the United States

Paris Hilton’s controversial beer advert has been pulled from Brazilian TV networks.

The sultry beer ad featuring the socialite was pulled after consumer complaints and a watchdog agency’s investigation.

The television and internet campaign features Paris in a short black dress preening and rubbing a can of Devassa beer on herself, all to the delight of onlookers watching through her window.

Brewer Schincariol said in a statement it will defend the commercial, but is pulling it in the meantime.

An ad watchdog group, Conar, asked that the ad was removed, noting that regulations do not permit a beer commercial to treat women as overtly sensual objects. Brazil’s secretariat for women’s affairs also said it had received complaints about the ad.

Pernod Ricard is better placed than archrival Diageo heading into an economic recovery thanks to its exposure to emerging markets, though Diageo is making the right moves in China.

Diageo, the world’s biggest spirits group, said on Monday it might spend at least 624 million pounds to take over China’s fourth-largest spirits group Sichuan Shui Jing Fang to add Chinese white spirits to its portfolio of top brands.

The move was likely prompted by concern that just 5 percent of global sales come from fast-growing emerging markets in Asia, compared to about a fifth in the case of Pernod, the world No 2 spirits maker.

A deal would triple the size of Diageo’s business in China adding Shui Jing Fang’s annual sales of around 100 million pounds to Diageo’s  current 55 million pounds of sales in the country.

Analysts said that the Chinese acquisition showed Diageo’s keenness to address its weakness relative to Pernod, but that the numbers were still small.

Analyst Melissa Earlam at UBS called it “a small positive” deal in China but noted that China’s contribution to group earnings was still relatively meagre.

“Strategically, Diageo is very keen to expand in China. Diageo’s exposure to China in below 1 percent of group EBIT (operating profit) well below Remy at 22 percent and Pernod at 8 percent,” she said.

The two French groups have a clear advantage due to the Chinese liking for cognac with Remy Cointreau owning the world’s No 2 cognac Remy Martin and Pernod the No 3, Martell.

Japanese beer manufacturer Asahi Breweries has announced that it plans to become one of the world’s top ten food companies, through acquisition and by expanding its business in China.

Naoki Izumiya, a senior managing director of Asahi, told media that Asahi aims to rank among the world’s top ten food companies through acquisition and plans to enhance its liquor, beverage, and food businesses in China and other overseas markets. Naoki Izumiya added that the company also plans to achieve a JPY2 trillion sales target by 2015.

Naoki Izumiya said that he believed that large-scale operation can bring much benefit for food companies, but adequate funding is also very important when companies restructure.

Brewery employees tell the Gazette that more than a quarter of the operations staff is expected to be laid off next week.

Employees, who had to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, say between 50 and 80 employees are in play. The company implies they’ll be furloughed, but employees fear the cuts are permanent.

With about 300 employees in operations, that could mean a reduction of 16%-27%.

“They are penny-pinching to the hilt,” one source told the Gazette. “They are just cutting, cutting, cutting.”
AB InBev continues to shed costs to meet billions in debt service from the acquisition. To compound matters, the beer industry is losing market share to wine and other drinks.

St. Louis is telling local management that the recession is to blame, but some remain skeptical.

Several managers have already been let go, and 10 more are expected next week.

Most employees have run out of paid leave, having already taken furlough days.

Cleaning, maintenance and landscaping staff hours have all been reduced, and the plant no longer runs on Sundays.

Still, company executives are telling employees that production will remain level. A meeting was scheduled last Friday to discuss the layoffs, but it was canceled for lack of information, employees say.

Employees contend that union reps are trying to negotiate early retirement for at least some of the employees, but AB InBev is reportedly resistant to pay out the health benefits.

Teamster rep Mike Brooks said he couldnt’ confirm the reports of 50-80 jobs. “That’s not what I’m being told,” he said Tuesday. “Not of that magnitude, no. We’ve been in a down production time for the entire year. It’s a business that is up and down. Hopefully it’s not going to be something long-lived.”

Both he and general manager Rick Shippey said that the schedules are announced week-to-week based on production needs.

“From time to time, the operational needs of the brewery dictate a temporary reduction in manpower,” Shippey said in an e-mail response. “We work to gain these reductions through volunteers who welcome the time off.”

When there are not enough volunteers, the labor contract allows for temporary layoffs, Shippey said.

“This practice is not new,” he said. “We have enacted voluntary time off and temporary layoffs for many years. We review staffing levels weekly to ensure we are meeting the operational needs of the brewery.”

Shippey said employees retain full benefits and are eligible for unemployment benefits.

Cuts here are in line with layoffs elsewhere in AB InBev. Last week The Wall Street Journal reported that the company would cut 90 jobs in its sales division, and another 350 would follow as part of a restructuring effort. The Journal noted that AB InBev plans to save about $90 million a year through job reductions, citing an unnamed source familiar with the restructuring plan. Since buying Anheuser-Busch in 2008, InBev has eliminated more than 1,400 U.S. jobs.

Everards is bringing out a beer with fruity and floral hop flavours in time for the spring months.

The 3.5% ABV Flourish is made with a blend of Challenger, Syrian, Goldings and Northdown malts. It has a ruby chestnut brown colour and a moreish, dry finish.

“We are proud of this brand new seasonal ale, which we hope regular ale drinkers will love and pub goers will be tempted to try,” said marketing manager Erika Hardy.

“Flourish will be introduced with a specially-designed new pump clip and a beer mat featuring Cyclops tasting guide, developed by Everards to make tasting notes easier to use for both customers and bar staff.”