Apothic Brew Bar Top
Apothic has unveiled a new product called Apothic Brew, which is a red wine infused cold brew coffee. Credit: Apothic Wines.
Carlsberg has launched a re-brew of its dark lager, Carlsberg 1883. Credit: Carlsberg.
Nestlé updated Nescafé Gold range. Credit: Nestlé.
Brewdog Pink
BrewDog has launched a Pink IPA, satirically named Beer for Girls. Credit: BrewDog.

Apothic introduced wine infused with cold brew coffee in the US

US-based wine brand Apothic unveiled a new product called Apothic Brew, which is a red wine infused with cold brew coffee, in the US.

The new drink is a response to rapidly growing consumer demand for cold brew coffee in the US, which increased by 430% between 2015 and 2017.

Apothic Marketing director Christine Jagher said: “Apothic is no stranger to creating interesting new blends; from the launch of the distinctive category leader Apothic Red to our smooth Apothic Crush and our most recent hit Apothic Inferno, a red blend aged in whiskey barrels.”

Henkell to buy 50.67% shares in Spain’s Freixenet

Germany-based Oetker Group’s sparkling wine, wine and spirits producer company Henkell reached an agreement to buy 50.67% shares of Spanish cava producer Freixenet.

Furthermore, Henkell has signed an extensive, international cooperation agreement with the remaining shareholders José Ferrer Sala and José Luis Bonet Ferrer.

The companies, by joining forces, will become the world’s leading sparkling wine group.

Royal Cup to launch new RTD cold brew coffees

Royal Cup Coffee & Tea (Royal Cup) is set to launch a new line of shelf-stable, ready-to-drink (RTD) cold brew coffees for the US market.

Available from 2 April this year, the new product line represents the brand’s first drink release following the acquisition of cold brew drink producer Icebox Coffee.

The company acquired Richgood Gourmet, the manufacturer and distributor of Icebox Coffee, last year.

Carlsberg launched new 1883 dark lager in UK on-trade

Carlsberg has launched a re-brew of its dark lager, which was first brewed in 1883.

The updated version of Carlsberg 1883 will be exclusively available in the UK on-trade until June.

Relaunched Carlsberg 1883 uses the brewer’s original 135-year-old lager yeast strain, Saccharomyces Carlsbergensis, which was first identified at the Carlsberg Laboratory in Copenhagen.

AB InBev launched 2025 sustainability targets and accelerator programme

Belgian transnational beverage and brewing company Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) announced new sustainability targets for 2025.

Major areas identified for improvement include smart agriculture, water stewardship, circular packaging and climate action.

The company noted that it will source 100% of its purchased electricity from renewable sources, which is expected to lower CO2 emissions in its value chain by 25%.

Health Canada proposed new rules for highly sweetened alcoholic beverages

Canadian Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor is planning to introduce new regulations to look at ways to restrict the sale of highly sweetened beverages with alcohol content between 7% and 12%.

Sold in large-volume, non-resealable containers with colourful packaging, these beverages are inexpensive and are marketed to attract youth, according to Health Canada.

The Government of Canada is concerned about the health risks of these beverages and is taking action to reduce the risk that these products can pose to the health and safety of people in the country.

Nestlé relaunched Nescafé Gold range

Global food and beverage company Nestlé is launching an updated recipe for its flagship instant coffee range Nescafé Gold in Europe and other global markets.

This follows the success of the revamped Nescafé Gold range in the UK since its introduction in October 2017.

The new recipe is a mix of soluble coffee and finely ground Arabia coffee beans. The inclusion of coffee granules in the final product is a response to consumer preferences for authentic, crafted coffee.

Heineken opened new $500m brewery plant in Mexico

Dutch brewing company Heineken opened a new $500m Greenfield brewery location in Meoqui, Chihuahua, Mexico.

The new facility is the company’s seventh location in Mexico and has a production capacity of six million hectolitres per year. It will produce brands such as Tecate, Dos Equis and Heineken for distribution internationally.

Chihuahua governor Javier Corral Jurado said: “Heineken’s new brewery in Meoqui will produce a significant economic advantage to the area, which will be a reference for the state and an incentive for other industries.”

Mahou San Miguel to open Brewhub with €11m investment

Mahou San Miguel is set to make an investment of €11m to create a research and development (R&D) centre in Spain.

Called Brewhub, the centre will enable international brewers to collaborate, share ideas and develop new beers for sale in the European market.

Expected to start operations next year, the new centre will be located next to the company’s production unit in Córdoba.

Brewdog launched a Pink IPA called Beer for Girls

Scottish craft beer maker BrewDog has launched a Pink IPA, satirically named Beer for Girls, to highlight gender pay inequality and expose sexist marketing to women, particularly within the beer industry.

The new beer, which is identical to the company’s blue-labelled Punk IPA, has a pink label and will be cost 20% less for women than for men.

The company will also donate 20% of profits from sales of its Beer for Girls and Punk IPA bottles to charitable causes who work to counter gender inequality and seek to increase the number of young girls entering science, technology, education and maths (STEM) industries.