- The beverage business blog -
Olly Wehring's unique web log on the global beverage industry, key events, people and his own daily experiences. If you would like to offer your comments, opinions, suggest topics or just have a good rant, please feel free to email: Olly Wehring. |
Page number: 1 of 68 ( 675 records)
InBev UK, you cheeky little monkeys
27th August 2008 15:24
If you saw this news piece from last week, you may have noticed that InBev is looking to bring the abv of its Stella Artois brand in the UK in line in both the on- and the off-trade.
The initial statement from InBev said that the company will "harmonise" Stella's abv across the board in the country, at 5.0%. A little digging led to the discovery that, in the on-trade, Stella is available at 5.1%, while in the off-trade, it's a slightly stronger 5.2%.
"By harmonising the abv, we are providing the consumer with clarity and this will allow consumers to enjoy a consistent strength lager at home or in the pub," said InBev UK's president, Stuart MacFarlane, at the time.
A little more digging revealed that, by lowering the abv, InBev can look forward to lower excise on Stella - for beer, it's GBP14.96 for every 1% of strength per 100 litres.
Those of you with half-decent memories, meanwhile, will remember this story from earlier this month, in which InBev said it was "reluctantly" having to raise the prices of its beers in the UK.
A call into InBev about the matter resulted in silence: "We do not discuss details of our production costs or commercial arrangements," MacFarlane told us.
Spoilsports.
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Monday - just-drinks is closed
22nd August 2008 15:23
A quick heads-up for you all.
just-drinks will be closed this coming Monday (25 August), as we have a Bank Holiday here in the UK.
The forecast is rain. Lots and lots of rain.
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I wish I was a girl...
22nd August 2008 11:33
... for, oh, so many reasons.
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Critics turn sour on Bottle Shock film
19th August 2008 18:35
Reviews of the long-awaited Bottle Shock film, charting the rise of California's wine industry, have been decidedly mixed since it was uncorked for limited release in the US just over a week ago.
Several critics have found the film difficult to palate (sorry, last one), accusing it of playing "loose with the facts" and producing an "unripe storyline" (their pun, not mine).
Bottle Shock charts the build-up to the 1976 Judgement of Paris, now etched into the psyche of every Californian winemaker as the year local wines beat France's finest in a blind taste test. Randall Miller directs, with Alan Rickman playing UK wine buff Stephen Spurrier MW.
In one review, Carla Meyer, for California publication Sacramento Bee, slates Bottle Shock for "taking a fascinating historical event" and making it "a sidelight to an overindulged father-son conflict".
Given that those with power clearly felt the need to embellish large chunks of the story, one has to question: do they think the public is really interested in films about the wine industry? It suggests they don't. In which case, why bother?
Presumably the relative success of the Sideways film, also set in California wine country, got some cogs turning in the film world. A second film, simply entitled Judgement of Paris, was also in production earlier this year.
Unfortunately, Bottle Shock still has no release date outside the US, except - curiously - for the Netherlands, where it is due out on 2 October.
Have you seen Bottle Shock? If so, don't be shy, tell us what you thought.
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Democrat or Republican? Your reputation at the bar precedes you
18th August 2008 16:29
The presidential election in the US is bound to drive both sides of the political divide to head for the nearest bar come election night – half to toast their win, the other half to drown their sorrows.
In one of the more tenuous drinks-related surveys, announced today (18 August), it appears US Democrats are the more generous when it comes to tipping, while Republicans are keener on their drinks straight up as opposed to those namby-pamby cocktails.
The survey, of around 100 bartenders in the Washington DC area, also concluded that Democrats have better pick-up lines and give better toasts, while the two parties are in agreement on drinking hours, with Republicans edging out for the first to arrive at happy hour and Democrats being the last to go home.
“According to the survey results, bartenders in Denver should know that they’ll hear better toasts while the bartenders in Minneapolis won’t need as much ice with their patrons ordering drinks straight up,” said Bobby Gleason, “master mixologist” for Beam Global.
The full survey questions and results include:
· Who is a better tipper? Democrats 60%, Republicans 38%
· Who is more likely to order a drink straight up? Democrats 14%, Republicans 82%
· Who is more likely to order a fruity (pink) drink? Democrats 58%, Republicans 34%
· Who has the better pick-up lines? Democrats 74%, Republicans 14%
· Who is better at giving a toast? Democrats 63%, Republicans 36%
· Who is more likely to arrive first to happy hour? Democrats 48%, Republicans 50%
· Who is more likely to be the last to go home? Democrats 53%, Republicans 46%
Yes, it's quiet again today...
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Press releases in August - consider this lilly guilded
14th August 2008 15:58
That's it, folks. I can't take it anymore. It's the middle of August and, as the scarcity of news at the moment suggests, we're all in the height of the silly season.
But some of you just aren't helping, you know. Indeed, some of your press releases are veering towards, well, silly.
To whit, the following exhibits:
“With the new gift pack, Absolut is updating the concept of masquerade for the modern era, where the possibilities of being yourself and expressing your personality are more important than ever.”
“This creative initiative reflects the pride and imaginative go-for-it attitude of Rotterdam.” (This is a direct quote from a release, no less)
“The Red Bull Air Race - dubbed the F1 of the skies - was a stunning spectacle of high speed skill and agility that has further cemented Red Bull’s status as the go-to brand for fun, energy and innovation.”
“‘Cosiness’ is the theme as diva-like the naked shoulders of a Grand Marnier bottle emerge from an opulent red fur collar and nubuck coat adorned with a vibrant metal label. The warm tactile materials cry out to be touched, while the aromas of orange and Cognac demand it be tasted.”
If you wrote these, then I'm sorry.
I'm really, really sorry.
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Southern Wine & Spirits interview
13th August 2008 16:51
No doubt those of you with any involvement in the US drinks market will have read today's news that leading distributors Southern Wine & Spirits of America and Glazer's Distributors, are to merge.
So what will this new, mega-distributor mean? I hear you ask. Well, never fear readers, because just-drinks spoke to Southern Wine president Wayne Chaplin this afternoon.
We'll be publishing his thoughts tomorrow (14 August), as part of our 'just the answer' interview series, just as soon as our team of highly trained chimpanzees have transcribed what Mr Chaplin had to say.
Your Comments
What does the merger mean?!! A near monopoly on distribution of alcoholic beverages in the USA; which means consumers, brewers, vintners, distillers, will pay the price
that lack of competition will dictate!!
Peter Armstrong, Brazil
I find the comments of highly trained chimpanzees rather interesting.
Joe Pupo, United States
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Constellation - are the times a-changin'?
11th August 2008 16:54
In June, some of you may remember, we ran an interview with Bruce Jack from Constellation. Jack has been brought on board at Constellation to oversee its South African offering, in particular its flagship Kumala wine brand.
A couple of weeks later, I received a letter from Constellation Europe's president, Troy Christensen. In the letter, Christensen – who we interviewed last year – took me to task on my assertion, when speaking to Jack, that Constellation “doesn't have a reputation for focusing on improving value”.
“I welcome the question and congratulate you for holding the trade accountable for its behaviour,” Christensen said. “I would agree that Constellation does not have a great history in this regard,” he conceded, “but we have changed our strategy.”
Any suspicion I had that this could be a hollow statement was cast asunder last week, when Constellation announced the results of a review of its Australian operations. The company will now look to sell certain assets at Constellation Wines Australia and will implement changes to its wine portfolio and production footprint in the country.
Here is a company who, previously, had a reputation for being quicker than most when it came to getting out the chequebook when it came to acquisitions. The announcement last week signifies a clear change in strategy at Constellation. Is this a sign of troubled times and the wine giant? Or a reflection on the times we are all suffering in?
It's certainly not the former, as our interview with Constellation's CEO, Rob Sands, earlier this year can attest to.
Whatever the move suggests, one thing would appear certain. If Foster's is looking for a buyer for its beleaguered Australian wine operations – which many believe to be the case - then the company that many would have pegged as the first to go sniffing round will be staying at home.
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A trip to Cowes with Mumm
8th August 2008 18:32
The following is a postcard from our recently-appointed news editor, Chris Mercer. I was VERY busy that day.
There is a fine line between bravery and lunacy, so the saying goes, and I have yet to decide on which side of it Sebastien Josse is standing.
Seb, as he is known by those who know him better than me, is preparing to sail solo around the world in a race this November with nothing but his own thoughts and a satellite navigation system for company.
Yesterday, just-drinks was invited onto his eight-tonne, 60-metre long yacht as part of Mumm Champagne's sponsorship of Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight. Thankfully, we didn't break anything.
Interesting things we learned include: that the launch of a just-sailing.com publication is beyond our expertise; that whales are one of the biggest hazards for racing yachts on the open waves; and that the last time Seb competed in the forthcoming competition he smashed into another of the biggest hazards - an iceberg. He was lucky to survive.
After a stay on the boat, and after chasing sailing genius Dame Ellen Macarthur on a rib powerboat, just-drinks had to endure (ahem) a hard-earned Champagne and BBQ party back at Mumm's Cowes HQ.
No wonder there is talk of a Champagne shortage across the Channel, judging by the number of bottles emerging from the depths of Mumm house last night. Mumm is looking to raise its profile in the on-trade and wants to be associated with explorers and outdoors types, such as Bear Grylls and Tom Avery, who were both present as guests. And they're explorers, NOT adventurers, by the way.
A few flutes and some dodgy singing on a ferry later, and just-drinks was snugly holed up in a fancy hotel in Southampton for the night.
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High spirits in the low countries defy global downturn
8th August 2008 11:25
They're a cheery bunch, those Dutch.
Whether it's the vibrant support of the country's football fans, or the relaxed atmosphere of the country's capital Amsterdam, there is definitely something of a joie de vivre about the Dutch.
They're also apparently pretty relaxed about the global economic downturn. According to research giants Nielsen, the Netherlands is one of the few countries where consumer confidence is on the rise. Over the last six months, consumer confidence has risen by 5%: only the Taiwanese are more optimistic.
Alas, that confidence is in short supply around the world. Nielsen research claims that global consumer confidence has fallen to a record low, with 56% of online consumers believing their country is in a recession.
Alongside New Zealanders and Latvians, it seems the biggest pessimists are in the US. Consumer confidence across the pond is at its lowest level since 1992 and the days of Clinton's refrain: “It's the economy, stupid.”
Non-discount retailers, in particular, are “feeling the pinch”, according to Nielsen. Private-label sales are growing but only as commodity cost rises fuel inflation; volume sales have dipped slightly.
All is not doom and gloom however, says Nielsen. “There are opportunities in a slowing economy to lead the recovery,” the researchers say. “Category-specific opportunities exist to maximise in-store efforts. For products that are performing strong and showing immunity during a recession, manufacturers and retailers in these industries have the opportunity to increase product exposure even further.
“For products at the other end of the spectrum, companies would be well-advised to target their marketing efforts to shore up performance and maintain traction during tough times.
“Now is the time to plan for recovery.”
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What's this?
Your Comments
Ohmigod, what you have to put up with!!! Olly, I hope you have a good weekend after "unveiling" these "Press Releases"...
Peter Armstrong, Brazil
Har! Was just thinking exactly the same thing less than an hour ago when I saw the Grand Marnier one.
tim forbes, United Kingdom