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Starbucks Blonde Espresso launches in the US stores. Credit: Business Wire.
Bridgeport’s launch of the first craft beer into space. Credit: PRNewsfoto/BridgePort Brewing
 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.
Diageo announced it will invest £150m over the next three years to transform its Scotch whisky visitor experiences. Credit: Diageo.

Starbucks launched Blonde Espresso in US

US-based coffee company Starbucks introduced its new Blonde Espresso in the US market.

Becoming available at more than 8,000 stores across the country, the beverage joined other handcrafted beverages such as Starbucks Signature, Starbucks Caffe Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, Macchiato and Americano beverages.

Starbucks US Retail president Kris Engskov said:  “Our partners are so passionate about their craft and now they get to help our customers discover and personalise the foundation of the beverage, an espresso that is either bold and rich or smooth and bright.

“We want every experience our customers have with us to be perfect for them.”

BridgePort launched Original IPA into space

US-based brewery BridgePort Brewing launched a bottle of its Original IPA into space to mark its 22nd anniversary and the opening of its new BrewPub in Portland, Oregon.

The new craft brewery features an enhanced five-barrel brewing system.

The bottle of Original IPA was transported 22 miles into the sky and brought back down intact using a parachute.

Apothic introduced wine infused with cold brew coffee in the US

Apothic unveiled new coffee-infused red wine Apothic Brew to the US market.

The drink was released in response to a rapidly growing consumer demand for cold brew coffee in the US, which was claimed to have 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.”

Diageo invested £150m to transform visitor experience in Scotland

Global alcoholic beverages producer Diageo announced an investment of £150m over the next three years to transform its Scotch whisky visitor experiences, as well as promote Scotch whisky worldwide.

Diageo’s main investment will be in a new Johnnie Walker facility in Edinburgh. The company also plans to upgrade its existing network of 12 distillery visitor centres across Scotland.

Diageo’s new Edinburgh facility will be linked with four distilleries Glenkinchie, Cardhu, Caol Ila and Clynelish, which represent the four corners of Scotland and the regional Scotch flavour variations.

Coca-Cola launched new drinks dispenser

Global beverage company Coca-Cola unveiled its latest fountain dispenser, Coca-Cola Freestyle 9100.

With more than 200 options, the dispenser will offer low and no-calorie beverages.

Coca-Cola Freestyle vice-president general manager Chris Hellmann said: “When we introduced Freestyle, it was truly a disruptive innovation.”

Starbucks partnered with Anheuser-Busch InBev to launch ready-to-drink tea in US

Anheuser-Busch InBev partnered with Starbucks for the production, bottling, marketing and distribution of Teavana ready-to-drink (RTD) tea in the US.

The product is expected to be launched in the first half of 2019.

In the partnership, Starbucks will make use of Teavana’s tea expertise, retail activation, and consumer engagement capabilities, while Anheuser-Busch will be responsible for production, bottling and distribution to retailers across the country.

Anheuser-Busch InBev chief executive officer Carlos Brito said: “This arrangement will bring together the strengths of two great companies, each with a long history of successful brand-building.”

Tequila Don Julio released new double-cask tequila

Diageo’s brand Tequila Don Julio expanded its portfolio with the launch of a double-cask tequila offering a distinctive flavour profile.

The new limited-edition Tequila Don Julio Reposado Double Cask is a variant of the company’s traditional Reposado with additional hints of whisky.

The beverage was matured in American white oak barrels for a period of eight months before being finished for 30 days in casks that were previously used to make Buchanan’s Blended Scotch Whisky. It is the company’s first innovation in six years.

Food-service brands developer Focus Brands to acquire Jamba for $200m

US-based food-service brands developer Focus Brands (FBI) signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire Jamba, the parent company of Jamba Juice.

Worth around $200m, the agreement will see a subsidiary of FBI commence a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Jamba common stock for $13 per share in cash.

To fund this acquisition, FBI will use available cash-on-hand alongside borrowing capacity under its existing credit facilities.

Coca-Cola Amatil opened $116m bottling facility in Richlands

Coca-Cola Amatil officially re-opened its $A165m ($116m) bottling facility in Richlands, Queensland.

The newly expanded facility will produce a wide range of sparkling and still beverages, including juices, teas, alcohol and dairy drinks.

It will have a production capacity of more than 90 million unit cases each year for national and export markets.

Benromach Distillery launched Benromach Hermitage 2007

Benromach Distillery has launched Benromach Hermitage 2007 in its Wood Finish range.

This latest whisky follows the launch by the company of limited edition Wood Finish expressions Hermitage 2005, Château Cissac 2006 and Sassicaia 2007.

The company claims that its new product has been initially matured in bourbon barrels for six years, and then the spirit was transferred to oak casks for a further 31 months.