The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf introduces summertime cold brew coffee and tea varieties. Credit: PRNewsfoto/The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
Research and development (R&D) facility. Credit: The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings.
Anheuser-Busch has invested in partnership to drive sustainability and support local and regional economies. Credit: Anheuser-Busch Companies.
The Coca-Cola Company president and CEO James Quincey. Credit: PRNewsfoto/Coca-Cola.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to expand its cold brew portfolio

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is set to expand its product line up with the addition of limited-edition cold brew coffees and teas.

The new portfolio includes classic Vietnamese Cold Brew Coffee and the new seasonal Scottish breakfast teas Mango Cold Brew and Black Cherry Cold Brew, which will be available until 26 August.

Other additions Raspberry Cold Brew Tea and Peach Jasmine Cold Brew Tea will be offered throughout the year.

Heineken purchased stake in Beavertown Brewery

Heineken acquired a £40m stake in UK-based craft brewer Beavertown Brewery.

The proceeds will be used by Beavertown to build a new 125,000ft2 brewery, which will have 450,000hl production capacity.

The new facility is expected to create 150 employment opportunities in the region.

Carlyle completed Accolade Wines acquisition for $772m

Global asset management firm The Carlyle Group completed an acquisition of Australia’s Accolade Wines in a deal valued at A$1bn ($772m).

The Carlyle Group signed an acquisition agreement with shareholders the CHAMP III Funds and Constellation Brands in April this year.

Accolade Wines has a portfolio of more than 50 brands and supplies around 140 countries on an annual basis. The company’s brand portfolio includes Hardys, Grant Burge, St Hallett, Petaluma and Arras.

Green Organic Dutchman launched new beverage division

Canada-based research and development (R&D) company The Green Organic Dutchman (TGOD) launched a global beverage division.

The company plans to use the new division to create a strategic pathway into the cannabis market for large-scale beverage companies through direct investment, joint venture (JV) or other suitable opportunities.

The company aims to supply global beverage brands with organic base ingredients alongside manufacturing its own branded products.

Arca Continental to build $250m plant in US

Mexico-based soft drinks bottler Arca Continental announced plans to build a new $250m production and distribution facility in Houston, Texas, US.

Set to be built through the company’s subsidiary Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB), the new facility is expected to begin operations in early-2020.

Arca Continental’s board of directors chairman Manuel Barragan Morales said: “This significant investment confirms Arca Continental’s commitment for the sustainable value-creation in all the markets we serve and is a reflection of the confidence in our company’s ability to continue perfecting its performance, serving its customers with excellence and anticipating the needs of consumers.”

Starbucks signed new licensing agreement with Arla Foods

Global coffee company Starbucks signed a new 21-year strategic licensing agreement with dairy cooperative Arla Foods.

Under the agreement, Arla Foods will continue to manufacture, distribute and market Starbucks’ milk-based ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee beverages for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

Starbucks EMEA channel development and foodservice vice-president Duncan Moir said: “The strength of our relationship with Arla Foods over the past seven years has seen our RTD business grow by an average of 40% per year across EMEA.”

Anheuser-Busch invests in partnership to strengthen US rice industry

US-based Anheuser-Busch made a significant investment through the Rice Stewardship Partnership to improve water efficiency, land preservation and wildlife protection.

Anheuser-Busch first added rice as a natural ingredient to produce Budweiser. The investment will be used to fund strategies to protects such as conservation planning, irrigation efficiencies and nutrient management.

Anheuser-Busch US agronomy director Jess Newman said: “From seed to sip, every step of our brewing process is focused on responsible and sustainable water stewardship and smart agricultural practices.”

Hochdorf Group to sell milk plant in Lithuania

Hochdorf Group is selling its Hochdorf Baltic Milk UAB protein plant in Lithuania to an investment group.

Located in Medeikiai, the plant was one the Hochdorf Group’s first milk plants in the EU.

The group decided to sell the facility due to low protein prices in the international market and high milk prices caused by agricultural policies in Lithuania.

Kentucky Owl to release new straight rye whiskey

Kentucky Owl Bourbon is set to release its Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Batch #2 following the release of Kentucky Owl Rye Batch #1.

Handcrafted by Kentucky Owl’s master blender Dixon Dedman, this second batch is expected to further strengthen the company’s credentials and brand footprint within the bourbon and rye whiskey categories.

With 50.9% alcohol by volume (ABV), Kentucky Owl Straight Rye Whiskey Batch #2 delivers a combination of baking spices, honey and red pepper.

Coca-Cola opened new production facility in Yunnan, China

Global beverage firm The Coca-Cola Company and Swire Group jointly opened a new production facility in Yunnan, China.

Located south of the Yangtze River, the new plant is one of the largest facilities in the country and it has received a gold certification of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

The Coca-Cola Company president and CEO James Quincey said: “Coca-Cola has been part of the tremendous changes in China since the market opened in 1979.”