September’s top news stories

Australia’s Woolworths releases new craft beer ‘Loafer’

Woolworths Group, Australia created its first circular economy beer, which has been produced using unsold loaves of bread from its supermarkets.

‘Loafer’ is a limited-edition pale ale that will be available exclusively in BWS and Dan Murphy’s outlets throughout Australia.

Woolworths sustainability head Adrian Cullen said: “We like to constantly challenge ourselves in the sustainability and community space and look at how we can make an impact simply by doing things differently.

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SWA urges UK government to end trade uncertainty conditions

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) urged the UK government to end uncertainty in future trading conditions.

Figures from HMRC highlighted a 10.8% increase in Scotch whisky exports to £2.19bn during the first half of this year.

SWA chief executive Karen Betts said: “It is great news for distillers, their employees and the communities in which we work, as well as for all the other businesses that work with the Scotch Whisky industry, to see exports of Scotch continue to grow.

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Alkaline Water to acquire bottled water distributor AQUAhydrate

US-based bottled drinking water producer The Alkaline Water Company (Alkaline) signed a definitive merger agreement with premium bottled water manufacturer and distributor AQUAhydrate.

Under the agreement, Alkaline will acquire all outstanding and issued shares of common and preferred stock of AQUAhydrate through an all-stock transaction.

The Alkaline Water Company president and CEO Richard Wright said: “The acquisition of AQUAhydrate is an unprecedented opportunity that allows The Alkaline Water Company to cement itself as a leader in various multi-billion-dollar segments which include premium water, functional & wellness and the CBD market.”

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Irish whiskey gets GI status in India

Irish whiskey secured geographic indication (GI) status in India, indicating that only spirits made in Ireland can use ‘Irish whiskey’ on their product labels.

The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) believes that the GI status would support the growth of Irish whiskey in the Indian market.

IWA and Drinks Ireland legal advisor Carleen Madigan said: “Securing the geographical indication for Irish whiskey in India is another landmark for the Irish whiskey category.”

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Coca-Cola Amatil to restructure beverage business

Coca-Cola Amatil, bottler of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages in the Asia-Pacific region, announced changes to its organisational structures and its senior accountabilities.

The latest move should integrate the company’s beverage segments across each country of operation.

The restructuring is part of the company’s transition phase for two years, with aims to return to mid-single-digit earnings per share growth from next year.

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South Africa approves licensing agreements between SAB and Diageo SA

The Competition Tribunal of South Africa conditionally approved South African Breweries’ (SAB) acquisition of licensing agreements with Diageo South Africa (Diageo SA).

SAB will manufacture, distribute, market and sell the Smirnoff and Guinness-branded products in South Africa and other territories in exchange for royalty fees, as the exclusive licensee.

Additionally, Diageo SA will transfer nearly 11,000 of its Smirnoff-branded coolers to SAB at fair market value

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WSTA criticises UK’s plans to introduce red tape on wine

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) criticised the UK government’s plans to introduce red tape on wine, as the move could generate more than 600,000 additional forms, costing wine businesses £70m.

WSTA said that the government is reportedly considering backtracking an agreement announced earlier this year after a meeting between the trade group and government officials.

At the meeting, WSTA discussed with Whitehall officials, explaining a trebling in paperwork to import and export wine from the UK to EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

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Campari Group agrees to acquire French company Rhumantilles

Italy-based beverage company Campari Group signed an agreement with Groupe Chevrillon and a group of minority shareholders to acquire French company Rhumantilles.

Under the terms of the agreement, Campari will acquire the company for an enterprise value of €60m ($66m).

Rhumantilles owns 96.5% stake in the Martinique-based Bellonnie&Bourdillon Successeurs, the owner of French rum brands Trois Rivières and Maison La Mauny and Duquesne, a brand designed for the local market.

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Two Roots Brewing to buy Rochester Mills Production Brewery

Lighthouse Strategies-owned Two Roots Brewing signed an agreement to acquire US-based Rochester Mills Production Brewery.

Financial details of the deal are yet to be divulged by either company.

Founded in 2012, Rochester Mills Production Brewery established its presence in the market with its product Milkshake Stout, which is available in retail stores across the Midwest and on tap internationally.

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Molson Coors Canada launches new $226m brewery in Chilliwack

Molson Coors Canada opened a brewery in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia at Chilliwack.

The C$300m ($226.2m) brewery has 100 staff members, joining the Molson Coors network of 29 breweries worldwide.

Molson Coors Canada president and CEO Frederic Landtmeters said: “This new modern brewery nestled at the foot of the Cascade mountain range of British Columbia in Chilliwack will proudly brew the Molson and Coors trademarks along with many other brands within our portfolio.”