Diageo’s mulls sale of iconic Wimbledon drink Pimm’s

United Kingdom | Drinks firm Diageo is reportedly exploring the sale of a trio of non-core brands including Pimm’s. According to Sky News, the company has hired bankers at Rothschild to explore whether to sell Pimm’s. The red tipple was acquired in 1997, when Grand Metropolitan and Guinness merged to become Diageo.

Greenwich’s Meantime brewery closes as production moves to west London

United Kingdom | As part of Asahi’s consolidation plan, production of Meantime beers, together with Dark Star ales, will be shifted to the Fuller’s Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, Asahi said on 6 March.

Belgium | AB-InBev’s Full Year 2023 results beat sales estimates. It raised its annual dividend by 9 percent on 29 February, but its shares slipped as investors digested the news of poor US sales, the impact of hyperinflation in Argentina and the absence of another share buy-back, Reuters said on 28 February.

Europe | Talking about political risks: In January, China began an anti-dumping investigation into all brandy imported from the European Union. The measure is effectively targeted at cognac, which is by far the biggest-selling imported spirit in China because of its luxury appeal.

Heineken’s shares slide as its profit outlook underwhelms

The Netherlands | Heineken's 2024 profit forecast disappointed investors on 14 February, sending its shares down 6.5 percent, as the world's number two brewer struck a cautious tone.

United Kingdom | The minimum unit price (MUP) for alcoholic drinks in Scotland is poised to rise by 30 percent under measures to control alcohol-related deaths and hospitalisations. It will go up from GBP 0.50 to GBP 0.65 (USD 0.82) in May, six years after Scotland became the first country in the world to introduce the policy. The Scottish Parliament still needs to approve the increase.

Carlsberg lost a total of USD 7 billion from Russia exit

Russia | Carlsberg’s Full Year 2023 results, announced on 7 February, were closely watched in Russia. According to the Russian news agency Interfax, Carlsberg recorded an impairment loss of DKK 7 billion (USD 1 billion) on its Russian assets.

German beer production drops 4.5 percent in 2023

Germany | If there is a long-term trend, it certainly points south. In 2023, German beer production declined 4.5 percent over 2022, wiping out all hopes that brewers’ output could eventually return to pre-Covid levels, the Bavarian Brewers Association said on 7 February.

Austria's Beer Party aims to add some kick to parliamentary elections

Austria | The Beer Party, founded largely as a joke, has said that it will enter into this year’s parliamentary elections, provided it can recruit 20,000 new members and raise funds before the end of April.

The Netherlands | At the behest of public health advocates, 2024 saw the excise on beer, wines, and spirits rise by 8.4 percent. Some Dutch cities, including Utrecht, Haarlem, and Groningen, also decided to ban alcohol advertising on municipal billboards.