Diageo has launched two new flavours of its 100 proof Smirnoff vodka.
Spiced root beer and dark roasted espresso, under the Blue Label portfolio, are the first flavoured additions to 100 proof.
David Tapscott, Diageo director of Smirnoff vodka, said: "Spiced Root Beer and Dark Roasted Espresso are great additions to our portfolio, and signify the brand's commitment to being 'there'- 'there' at the forefront of innovation with a unique approach to the category; and 'there' offering consumers new ways to enjoy life's many flavours and good times responsibly." [...more]
Brewer Molson Coors is relaunching Caffrey's Irish Ale with a lower ABV and a collector card scheme to drive sales
From 15 March the premium draught will be reduced from 4.2% ABV to 3.8% ABV.
On-trade sales will be supported with a "Buy three get a free one next time you're in" collector card scheme.
A new point of sale kit will be available to help promote the rebranding. [...more]
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. [...more]
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. [...more]
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.” [...more]
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.
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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 [...more]
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. [...more]
Glastonbury cider brand Brothers is launching an apple cider to join its pear and flavoured cider ranges.
Brothers Bittersweet Apple Cider is a 5.5% abv medium dry cider which is high in tannins but low in acidity. It will come in 500ml bottles and 250ml stubbies.
It is the first purely apple cider that the company has launched and is a response to the maturation of the apple cider sector where consumers are becoming more educated and are actively seeking out new flavour profiles and propositions, managing director Matthew Showering said.
"Brothers Cider is a natural innovator, being the first to market with both pear and flavoured ciders," he told the Morning Advertiser. "The apple cider category has lacked significant innovation for some time and we felt it was time to take our fast growing brand and inject some excitement into the marketplace." [...more]
Welsh brewer Brains chose St David's Day yesterday to announce a return to the stout sector.
Brains Black was launched by former Wales scrum half Rob Jones and former Ireland flanker Simon Easterby.
"Having already achieved success in the cask ale and smooth market with Brains SA and Brains Smooth we are hopeful that this new product will prove equally popular," said sales and marketing director Richard Davies. [...more]
Using branded glassware can lead to a 14% increase in beer sales, new research from Carlsberg has shown.
The Danish brewing giant is investing in a major campaign stressing the importance of using branded glassware.
Research also showed that 37% of drinkers said they were willing to pay more for a pint if it was served in a branded glass.
Following the research, Carlsberg is offering licensees a buy one get one free offer on branded glassware for the whole of March.
"We want our customers to give drinkers the best pint of Carlsberg possible," said Paul Davies, director of brands and insight at Carlsberg UK.
"And our research has demonstrated that consumers see branded glassware as part and parcel of a great drinking experience in the pub - and they will spend more in your pub as a result." [...more]
Halewood International is looking to entrench its position in the spirits category with the launch of four major new brands.
The company said it hopes Don Cruzado Tequila, Di Cassini Sambuca, Ponticelli and Peach Amore will capitalise on the "growing sub-sections of the UK spirits market".
Don Cruzado Tequila - available now - is a full bodied Mexican Tequila made with agave hearts, which will complement the existing range.
Halewood added that the growing Tequila market is worth around £60m annually.
Di Cassini is a genuine Italian Sambuca and is due to be launched at the end of March.
Ponticelli is a lower ABV Sambuca style drink that Halewood described as "perfect" for mixing, which will also launch at the same time, offering consumers a lighter alternative to authentic Sambucas, and will be available at a "credit crunching" price. Halewood added that the Sambuca market, which is also growing, is worth £179m annually. [...more]
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