Just Drinks

Bubbling up: the growing value of yeast to brewers As brewers battle for custom, yeast is a key part of their toolkit both in product development and to improve efficiency.

C&C Group looks to future with drinks-industry veteran at helm New C&C Group CEO Roger White is no stranger to the drinks industry, with over 20 years under his belt heading up AG Barr.

The most-read industry analysis on Just Drinks in 2024 The features and comment coverage that grabbed your attention this year took in corporate moves at Diageo and Constellation Brands, the ongoing development of the no-and-low market and the challenging trading conditions in the global wine sector.

Written before Christmas, industry watchers told Just Drinks there had been clear signs of an upturn in activity in 2024 – and the expectations were that would continue in 2025.

Purple Brands’ Redwood Empire Whiskey buys Savage & Cooke distillery The all-US deal was described by the buyer as a “pivotal investment”.

Whisky slump dents UK food and drink exports Sales of UK whisky – the vast majority of which is Scotch – dropped 36.4% in value terms to £2.8bn and slid by 28.5% in volume terms.

MGP Ingredients CEO David Bratcher to step down from US distiller after less than year Meanwhile, Donn Lux, a member of MGP Ingredients’ board, will succeed Karen Seaberg as chair to “guide the company during this challenging environment for the alcohol spirits industry”.

What were the 24 most-read news stories on Just Drinks in 2024? Portfolio changes, factory closures, NPD and celebrity investments (and legal spats) were among the topics on Just Drinks’ news pages that caught your eye throughout the year. But one company’s woes with one of its divisions featured prominently in the list – and 2025 could see the business offload the asset that attracted the negative headlines. Scroll down for a flavour of the stories that shaped the drinks-industry agenda over the last 12 months. Carlsberg Group AB InBev Mark Anthony Brands International Brown-Forman Nestlé Diageo PepsiCo Treasury Wine Estates The HEINEKEN Company Coca-Cola FEMSA Tilray Brands, Inc. JDE Peet's Stonegate Group

The Boston Beer Company issues profit warning on contract change Boston Beer Co. has cut its forecast for its annual earnings after changing an existing deal with supplier Rauch.

The Coca-Cola Company to acquire Billson’s Beverages RTD vodka brand Current owners Nathan and Felicity Cowan will continue to produce their cordial, soda and beer range under a new brand name.