Krones, one of the world’s leading manufacturer of filling and packaging technology, has acquired the business operations and assets of Shanghai Xiantong Equipment Installation effective 1 September 2018. The Chinese company has been a partner and supplier to the German company in the field of process technology for many years. Krones Taicang has partnered successfully with Xiantong on the production, installation, and commissioning of process technology equipment for the past 20 years in order to best serve the local market. For example, Krones’ first MicroCube compact brewhouse was manufactured by Xiantong.

Everybody is talking about gin. And drinking it, too. On a recent visit to Adelaide, I was taken to Ambleside Distillers in Hahndorf, a tourist town about 20 minutes by car away from Adelaide.

Japan’s beer and beverage maker Kirin Holdings recently announced a strategic review of its Australian Lion-Dairy and Drinks unit, looking at a possible sale among its options.

From October 8th to 13th, Santiago will be all set to host Santiago Beer Week, welcoming beers and participants from all Latin America.

Wooing those Millennial couch potatoes. After AB-InBev bought the online alcohol retailer BoozeBud in early August 2018, the 7-Eleven Group has acquired a majority stake in the alcohol delivery start-up Tipple. The transaction was announced on 14 August 2018. No financial details were disclosed.

The Beviale Family, NürnbergMesse Group's global network for beverage production, continues to grow. The most recent example is its presence at one of Asia's largest gourmet fairs, the Daejeon International Wine & Spirits Fair in South Korea (Aug. 31 - Sept. 02, 2018).

Heineken’s planned tie-up with CR Enterprise, valued at over USD three billion, has received mixed reviews so far. After years of declining beer volumes, China is a very competitive market, characterised by low prices and margins. Industry observers estimate that operating margins (EBIT) are around six percent at CR Beer, while they amount to 15 percent at Heineken and are as high as 30 percent at AB-InBev.

Two in need clinched a deal. The transaction, which has been discussed for months, was finally confirmed on 3 August 2018, when the world’s number two and three brewers, Heineken and CR Enterprise (CRE) – the parent of CR Beer – said they plan to establish CBL, a new holding entity, in which Heineken will have a 40 percent stake, valued at USD 3.1 billion. The holding will control CR Beer, the leader in the world’s largest beer market – China. Its main brand is Snow.

Australia’s big retailers will probably cry blue murder behind closed doors now that AB-InBev’s unit ZX Ventures has acquired the local online beer retailer BoozeBud. But there is nothing they can do about it. The transaction was announced on 1 August 2018.

Seemingly unhappy with Kirin’s efforts to market Budweiser in Japan, AB-InBev has decided to take the brand into its own hands from 2019. It has cancelled its licensing partnership with Kirin, which has produced and sold Budweiser domestically since 1993, media reported in July 2018. Allegedly, Kirin has struggled to increase the sales of Budweiser. Instead, it has focused on bolstering the sales of its own beer brands.