Recalling the Gallo Pinot fraud of recent weeks, Harpers wine and spirit reports that Scotland Yard has made six arrests in connection with a suspected fine wine investment scam.
Fraud squad officers believe that tens of thousands of pounds have been handed over by investors who were told they were buying premium Australian wines. Reports say the alleged offences had already netted the organisers more than £3 million.
Two women and four men were arrested at addresses in south east London. [...more]
Subcontractors working for drinks firm AB InBev UK have been dealt a blow after its decision to transfer its primary logistic operations to DHL's Tradeteam division.
A spokeswoman for AB Inbev says: "I can confirm the company has written to members of our haulage partnership scheme to advise that the scheme will terminate at the end of March. All members have been put in touch with Tradeteam to discuss the opportunity to work together going forwards."
Subcontractors who agree to work with Tradeteam can be released from the notice period early to begin working under the new agreements, however, terms and conditions will be set by the drinks haulier, and not AB InBev.
The Beck's and Stella Artois maker has awarded Tradeteam primary logistics operations from its Magor, Preston and London breweries to several DCs including Enfield, Knowsley and Sheffield. Tradeteam is already handling secondary distribution for the firm. [...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]
Bombardier is providing UK pubs with kits in the run-up to St George's Day, supported by its biggest campaign for the brand to date.
Merchandise in the kits includes bunting, pump-clip wobblers, balloons, tent cards and competitions to win VIP trips to the Great British Beer Festival.
"Every year St George's Day has grown and last year our stockists sold more Bombardier in St George's Day week than ever before," said Wells & Young's marketing director Chris Lewis. "The kits are just one element of Bombardier's support to the trade for St George's Day." [...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]
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. [...more]
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. [...more]
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. [...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]
Tetley's cask is to be brewed by Marston's in Wolverhampton. The decision to take the beer out of Yorkshire has been met with disappointment from the real ale trade body CAMRA.
Carlsberg UK has agreed a long term brewing partnership with Molson Coors Brewing that will see Tetley's Smoothflow being brewed at their Tadcaster brewery in Yorkshire from 2011.
In a separate arrangement, Tetley's cask will be brewed by Marston's in Wolverhampton in the West Midlands.
A statement from Carlsberg UK said: "Marston's are passionate about brewing great quality cask ale, using traditional methods and are one of the biggest cask ale brewers in the country. They have a lot of experience in brewing many different cask ales, both their own and other brewers' brands and we are fully confident that they will deliver the same great tasting, quality cask beer that our drinkers currently enjoy.
"We looked at all realistic options in Yorkshire to brew Tetle [...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]
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