The Famous Grouse is getting a revamp, with a re-designed logo and new marketing campaign.
The new packaging has been developed to reflect The Famous Grouse’s premium quality and will see the brand’s much-loved icon, the red grouse, take a more prominent position,” said director Gerry O’Donnell.

The new design, which “marks 30 years as Scotland’s best-selling whisky” features a much larger label and new-look bird set against an authentic Scottish landscape to reflect the brand’s provenance and heritage.

The new campaign will follow on from the “Famous for a Reason” ads launched last Christmas and has been timed to support the brand during the summer period.

Heineken UK will soon launch a new marketing campaign to further emphasise the ‘female appeal’ of its Jaques Cider with Fruit product range.

With its largest investment in the brand to date, the firm hopes to position the brand among young, stylish women.

Starting in July, the promotional programme incorporates digital and print elements, as well as sampling bars at a number of fashion and beauty events throughout the summer.

Brand manager for the drink Doug Cook claimed that the campaign would be the “most significant investment in the Jacques brand to date”, working with other female-centred brands to highlight its appeal to women.

He said: “We will be creating a live brand experience that will appeal to female consumers combined with some very exciting partnerships to help bring the brand to all aspects of our drinkers’ social lives.”

Rival drinks giant SABMiller recently announced that it too would be targeting female drinkers with the launch of a premium fruit beer product in Russia.

A cider with caffeine is being launched in the UK this month, to tap into the 40%

of cider drinkers who are also regular consumers of energy drinks.

KC Max has been created by UK distributor KC Brands and consists of a blend of 4.7% ABV Belgian cider made in the renowned Limburg region, and 12mg of caffeine per litre.

The cider is packaged in 275ml bottles and will retail through wholesalers for around £9.99 for a case of 12.

KC Brands CEO Mark Todd said the label had been run past the Portman Group already and had been given the thumbs-up.

“This product is aimed at the many consumers who drink both caffeine and cider, which we believe equates to a potential market worth £800m,” Todd said. “It is a contemporary product, which reflects modern drinking habits.”

In-store promotion, including branded PoS to create awareness of the new product, are in the pipeline, Todd added.

Earlier this year the company launched a caramel vodka called Garvey to tap into the growth in flavoured vodkas in the UK.

KC Brands also distributes the Tequila Rose range and Maxim, the French Champagne and spirit brand, which it launched in the autumn of 2009.

Halewood International is to follow up its successful launch of Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer with a new soft drink for men.

Iron Press, a fruit juice based drink made with malt and barley, which looks like a beer, complete with frothy head, is being launched this month. It is aimed at blokes between 25 and 55 years-old.

The new brand will be the company’s biggest launch in 2010 and was inspired by the growth of the soft drinks category in the on-trade and products such as McCoy’s “man crisps,” Yorkie bars and Lynx.

“At the moment the soft drinks category is very female orientated,” said head of innovation Richard Clark. “Yet there is a growing number of men who want to go to the pub with friends or family but who do not always want to drink alcohol. Iron Press gives them an alternative to a pint of coke or lime & soda.”

Initially Halewood is launching two flavours, a cider-inspired apple variant containing 30% apple juice and a shandy -inspired lime flavour, containing 5% lime juice.

The 500ml brown glass bottles will sell for around £3.00 in pubs and bars, said Clark.

A TV campaign, in store PoS material and sampling activity are all in the pipeline for this autumn to helps support the launch.

Kopparberg is rolling out a new flavour, following a successful three-month trial through several Orchid venues.

The new strawberry & lime variant will be listed in some Mitchells & Butlers, Barracuda and Belhaven sites from this month, with more pubs and bars to follow, says Davin Nugent, UK managing director of Kopparberg-owner Cider of Sweden.

“The trial was a runaway success, so much so we could barely keep up with demand, a trend that is continuing,” Nugent said. “Now, as the rollout is happening, we are selling out of every shipment.”

The decision to launch the strawberry & lime flavour came as a response to demand from consumers who had tasted it in Spain and were asking where they could get hold of it back in the UK.

“We decided to trial the flavour first as we weren’t sure what impact it would have on the mixed fruit variant, which we launched back in October 2007,” explained Nugent.

“However, it didn’t cannibalise sales from the rest of the range — in fact we experienced an uplift in sales across the whole brand in venues where it was sold.”

The company isn’t planning on a consumer launch campaign, but will be investing in some trade marketing to raise overall awareness in the on-trade.

It will benefit from the £3m marketing investment in the brand this year, however, which will include cinema ads launched last month, a press campaign and online activity.

The brand has already found success with other unusual flavour combinations such as elderflower & lime, which launched in March 2009 and is the best-selling variant in its home market of Sweden, as well as Finland.

Russian Standard has launched Russian Standard Gold into the travel retail market. The company launched the brand at TFWA Asia Pacific in Singapore.

Russian Standard Gold is a combination of Dmitry Mendeleev’s vodka formula and extracts of Siberian ginseng, or ‘golden root’ in Russian.

The product packaging features an embossed gold foil label.

Roustam Tariko, founder and president of Russian Standard Vodka said: “Russian Standard Gold continues our fine tradition of creating authentic vodkas with remarkable purity.  We are pleased to introduce the gold standard in vodka production.”

Russian Standard Gold is already listed with Heinemann in all major outlets across Europe, CIS and Russia, with Aer Rianta in Moscow and St Petersburg, onboard Nordic ferries and has been promoted in Dubai Duty Free. It will be launched soon with Dufry at Moscow Sheremetyevo C and Domodedovo airports, in Hong Kong with Sky Connection, in Bangkok with King Power and over the next months it will be rolled out in key duty free markets all over the world.

Russian Standard Gold debuted in Russia in 2008, where it is often given as a gift.

Walter Kooijman, commercial director global DF & APAC of Russian Standard Vodka International said “Gifting is an extremely important segment of the duty free and travel retail market. There is a lot of competition in the vodka category but with its excellent quality and luxurious gift box Russian Standard Gold is a unique and worthy contender.”

Moët Hennessy’s has launched a pink grapefruit maceration of its Belvedere vodka.

Belvedere Pink Grapefruit is distilled from whole pink grapefruits from Argentina and combined with fresh ginger and lemons, No sugars, glycerine or artificial additives are used in the production.

The launch of Belvedere Pink Grapefruit is coupled with a collaboration between Belvedere and designer Matthew Williamson, who has designed a limited edition summer kaftan.  Inspired by the pink grapefruit flavour, Williamson has created the kaftan from a sheer pink fabric and it will go on sale in his boutiques in London on 26 May.

The 40%abv product is to retail for £29.99.  It is also available in 70cl and 1L bottles for Duty Free only.

England is ready to go into battle with Slovenia when the two countries’ football teams face each other on 23 June, but three Slovenian beers are hoping for a more welcome reception.

Three beers from the nation’s Lasko Brewery are heading over to UK shores — the beers will be imported into the UK by newly-formed business Lasko Beer UK.

Lasko Zlatarog is a 4.9% ABV crisp premium lager, while Lasko Club Export is a 4.9% ABV premium blond beer with a smooth, balanced flavour. The final beer is Lasko Dark, a 5.9% ABV classic dark premium lager.

“We believe the Lasko range stands out in terms of both quality and authenticity,” said director of Lasko Beer UK Charles Gardner.

Australian wine brand Wolf Blass is to launch a sparkling rosé wine at the London International Wine Fair.

The launch is initially UK-focused and Wolf Blass Yellow Label sparkling rosé aims to capitalise on the growing popularity of sparkling and rosé wines.

The wine will retail for £9.99 and will partner Wolf Blass Yellow Label sparkling brut, which is already available.

Neil Barker, UK commercial director for Foster’s EMEA said: “We have crafted Wolf Blass sparkling rosé to meet all the current consumer trends to ensure that it drives sales and profitability across all retail channels. Branded sparkling wine is now a must stock for all retailers but especially during the key summer sales period.”

Chivas Bros has unveiled a Beefeater London Dry Summer Gin which will be available from next month (May) in key global markets in a special edition bottle for a limited period. Itwill retail at £17.99.

Master Distiller Desmond Payne has selected new floral botanicals that are said to capture the essence of summer including elderflower, hibiscus and blackcurrant to work alongside the botanicals of the original Beefeater recipe.

Beefeater London Dry Summer Gin is described as a lighter style gin and is presented in the same distinctive clear bottle shape as the original, decorated with floral images to reflect the new botanicals.

Payne explains: “I wanted to create a gin that would be ideally suited to lighter summer drinks and take advantage of those rarer botanicals that are less available to remind consumers of the wonderful aromas and tastes of summer in a gin.”

Simon Burley brand director for gins at the Pernod Ricard subsidiary said: “We are planning more limited editions in the future and are confident that they will capture the imagination of gin lovers around the world and create even greater stand out for the brand in a competitive market.”

Following soft drinks research, Taco Bell has rolled out its new Limeade Sparklers beverage across its restaurants with much success.

The fast-food chain notes that the beverage has proved a hit with its customers, especially during its Happy Hour drink deals, according to QSR Web.

Its new Cherry and Classic Limeade drinks, which consist of a naturally flavoured soda poured over ice, are available in either 16 or 20-ounce sizes.

Each of the drinks will be complemented by a fresh lime wedge and are intended as a refreshing addition to a meal at the fast-food chain throughout the summer months.

The drinks are both fat and cholesterol-free, making it a relatively guilt-free addition to any order for those on a diet.

US parents will undoubtedly be pleased with the launch, which will offer them an opportunity to sustain their child’s low-calorie beverage intake, after action was taken across the nation’s schools.

Busy on-trade outlets have been offered a helping hand by the launch of a canned range of pre-mixed whisky and cola.

Whyte & Mackay has launched the 4.5% ABV whisky & cola in 250ml cans, which – for the on-trade – are expected to appeal to busy bars, outdoor gigs and arenas that are keen to improve speed of serve.

“The new ready-to-serve cans are a great addition to our portfolio and are sure to be popular throughout the summer months with festival revellers,” said on-trade director Fraser McGuire.

“The pre-mixed can is a must for outdoor and venue bars as they are compact on space and save time.”

PepsiCo’s Mountain Dew has launched three new flavours, called Mountain Dew Distortion, Mountain Dew White Out and Mountain Dew Typhoon.

Distortion has a lime flavour while Typhoon has a tropical taste and White Out a citrus tang.

These new beverages were developed in partnership with the brand’s consumers as part its DEWmocracy 2 campaign.

This was a seven-stage, 12-month, consumer-driven campaign that was launched back in July 2009.

It allowed over 4,000 of DEW’s fans to have their say in the creation of the three new soft drinks via social media networks and tools, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

As well as influencing the flavour of the drinks, fans had input in their colours, names, and package design.

Mountain Dew was first created in the 1940s by Ally and Barney Hartman at a plant in Knoxville, Tenessee. The lithiated-lemon drink was originally designed to be a mixer for alcoholic beverages.

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) has unveiled what it is calling its “most important business action in 2010″- a new variant of Budweiser.
The new beer is called Budweiser Brew No. 66 or “Bud 66″ for short and at 4% ABV has been designed to tap into the new “standard premium” market, which includes brands like Beck’s Vier and Stella Artois 4%.

The beer is aimed at consumers in their early 20s who are looking for a refreshing beer and would draw new consumers into the category, said AB InBev UK president Stuart MacFarlane.

“Bud 66 is the result of extensive research and testing to create a product that will resonate with consumers. It is a lightly carbonated lager brewed with a touch of sweetness for a smooth easy taste,” he said.

Plans are in hand for a multi-million pound campaign to support the launch when it is rolled out this summer.

Molson Coors is set to launch its North American Blue Moon beer on draught in 100 London pubs and bars this month.

Draught Blue Moon (5.4%abv) is brewed with oats and spiced with a combination of orange peel and coriander. It is served with an orange slice to enhance the flavours.

Blue Moon will be available in 20L kegs while the ceramic tap handle has been imported from the US.

The beer will be available in 100 outlets including some Fuller’s and Mitchells & Butlers pubs along with a few hand picked independent outlets.

Each outlet launch will be fully supported by the Molson Coors speciality beer arm – Different World Drinks Company.

“Draught Blue Moon is hugely successful in the US, selling over 1 million barrels, and the trial has shown that drinkers love it just as much here,” said brand director Dan Rosenbluth.

Following the launch, Molson Coors is planning a staged rollout of Blue Moon with cities for 2010 including Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bristol, York, Liverpool and Dublin.

A premium variant of Russian Standard vodka has arrived on UK shores.

Russian Standard Gold is described as having a range of subtle sweet notes of honey, vanilla and almond, which blend together to create a “magnificent” spirit that can be consumed chilled on the rocks or with a mixer.

The drink is housed within striking gold packaging.

Like the parent brand, Gold is produced with premium Russian ingredients distilled at the producer’s distillery in St Petersburg.

It is made from the finest Russian winter wheat with glacial water from Lake Ladoga.

“We are delighted to be extending the Russian Standard Vodka range in the UK,” said UK brand manager Jo Birkett.

“Russian Standard Gold is a truly unique vodka; the smooth texture and vanilla hues make it an ideal choice for discerning vodka drinkers who are looking for something very special to enjoy.”

A Spanish vodka with caramel flavours is on its way to the on-trade.

Garvey vodka and caramel liqueur is new to the UK, but has already recorded success in its home market of Spain, where it reportedly appeals to Brits living in the Costa regions.

“It launched in Spain last year and the producer there noticed it was not only selling well in Spanish bars but also growing in popularity in the Costas with the British residents there,” said Mark Todd, CEO of UK distributor KC Brands.

“The UK launch is also on trend with the move towards flavoured vodkas.”

The 30% ABV drink, a premium blend of caramel and vodka, is packaged in a “quick chill” aluminium bottle and can be served chilled as a straight drink or blended to create a cocktail.

The 70cl bottles will be targeted at the on-trade, with a wholesale price of £15 to £16. Full PoS support for the brand is also available, including posters, recipe cards, branded glasses and ice buckets.

“We are well known for our support in the on-trade through our Tequila Rose brand,” said Todd. “We will be working with pubs by running a sampling programme for Garvey, as well as a recipe list for cocktails.”

Simple recipes include the Toffee Apple, which is a blend of Garvey and apple juice.

Freedom Brewery has added a 4% ABV lager to its range of hand-crafted English draught lagers.

Freedom Four is described as an easy drinking Helles Pale lager with a crafted Continental edge.

“We are finding that bars and restaurants are increasingly keen to source British products and they value how the product is made more than ever – which is where Freedom stands out from our competitors,” said MD Susan Mayman. “We made the decision to brew a 4% ABV lager in response to feedback from our existing draught customers – they wanted a flavourful lager with a lower ABV to replace their mainstream product offerings and enable them to maintain a high-end drinks offering across the board.”

As with all Freedom lagers, Freedom Four is bottom fermented, not bottle conditioned – and triple filtered, not pasteurised, which gives it a cleaner taste, according to the brewer.

The Staffordshire based brewery is situated on top of a natural underground lake of Burton upon Trent brewing water.

The beer is available in 50 litre kegs along with a range of POS material and glassware.

Is it a wine or is it a cider? New brand Carnaby Brown aims to bridge the two categories, plugging a gap in the market for a drink that has the refreshment and low ABV of ciders and perries, but with the sophisticated image of wine.

The new 5.5% ABV drink is made from perry blended with white and Muscat grapes and is badged as a “lightly sparkling fruit wine”.

It will initially come in two variants – white and rosé – in 75cl Bordeaux-style wine bottles and will target 20 to 30-year-old women who want a sociable drink they can share with friends.

“By talking to women all over the country we identified what they wanted,” said creator Aisling Young. “A drink that was fruity, refreshing and slightly sparkling with an ABV that offers the drinkability of premium cider with the sophistication and sociability of wine.”

A £500,000 investment in marketing the brand will include 10 brand ambassadors who will tour the country and implement bespoke in-outlet promotions and sampling events, and an online campaign via social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as a dedicated website.

Branded PoS and kits containing ice buckets, tent cards and posters will also be available to target on-trade venues such as high-street bars and food-led pubs.

The company recommends it is priced about 20% to 30% below the house wine and Young said she aims to reach sales of 150,000 nine-litre cases by the end of the year.

Future plans for the brand include a raft of new flavours and work around food and drink matching.

“Young women are a huge driver for growth, yet there was nothing out there that fulfilled what they really wanted,” said Young.

Britvic is to launch US soft drink brand Mountain Dew in the UK next month to tap into the growth in the energy and stimulant drinks market.

The drinks firm is to introduce a citrus variant of the brand from April.

Mountain Dew will have a different formula to the drink available in the US, where it is not categorised as an energy drink.

The brand was available for a year in the nineties with its US formula but will now be relaunched as an energy drink.

According to the 2010 Britvic Soft Drinks Report, the Glucose and Stimulant drinks category was the fastest growing last year, up 7% to £567m in 2009. Top brands include Red Bull, Monster and Relentless, the latter two accounting for 58% of the growth in the category.

A spokeswoman for Britvic says there are no plans for a “huge” marketing campaign to support the launch in the hope that its “powerful” brand name will help its introduction.

Mountain Dew is owned by PepsiCo. Britvic makes, markets and distributes Pepsico brands in the UK.