What should bars stock amid the low & no boom?

Walk into any pub or bar in the UK and you’re likely to find at least one decent non-alcoholic beer on offer. It’s great news for those off the booze, but with a range of innovative options now available, from kombucha to adaptogenic spirits and CBD soft drinks, bars relying on beer to satisfy the growing demand for low & no may be missing out.

Multiples: A shifting landscape of beverage consumption

James Bayley looks at the growing trend towards functional drinks, such as CBD-infused variants, and how the multiples are responding.

CBD drinks come under fire from the FSA

The future of CBD drinks made using cannabidiol is looking uncertain today as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced that it has slashed the recommended daily dose from 70mg to just 10mg.

The added benefits of functional drinks

So-called functional drinks have been on the rise for a while now. Jo Gilbert looks at the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

C&C leans into CBD

C&C Group, which operates under the Matthew Clark, Bibendum and Tennent’s brands, has firmed up a distribution partnership with Trip, a leading producer of no alcohol, CDB-infused drinks.

First CBD-infused wines out of South America land in UK

New CBD-infused wines from South America are to make their debut in the UK this month, adding the first Latin American flavour to this nascent category.

Berkmann’s spirits arm adds CBD drinks

Spirit Cartel, the spirits arm of Berkmann Wine Cellars, has added CBD drinks brand Gibson’s Goodology to its premium spirits portfolio. 

‘Lipstick effect’ driving boom in CBD and cannabis-infused drinks

Innovation Report: Boundary-crossing beverages

Drinks companies are stepping out when it comes to the no and low category. Lucy Britner looks at some of the more innovative offers.

Change of pace: How Covid/climate pressures are accelerating innovation of packaging and design

With drinks fast evolving to meet consumer trends, design and packaging has an ever more important role in communicating change, writes Andrew Catchpole

Premium drinking habits in the firing line amid economic shutdown

The ‘less but better’ mantra adopted by the trade over the past decade could be facing an existential threat, an industry expert has warned, as the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic hits the reset button on drinking habits.

FSA releases stark warning to CBD producers targeting pregnant women and vulnerable people

The Food Standards Authority (FSA) has broken its silence on CBD to issue a statement urging businesses to be upfront about potential health risks and suitability for vulnerable groups.

CBD and low and no: A potent mix

Low and no-alcohol and CBD. These emerging categories might promote a laid-back attitude and prioritise health and wellness over raucous hedonism. But don’t be fooled – their combined muscle could be major, says Jo Gilbert

Henschke manages fire woes while bolstered China and Armenia get a look in at Liberty tasting

Liberty Wines returned to The Oval for its annual shebang yesterday with a number of new stars to brighten up what turned out to be an exceptionally dismal afternoon weather-wise.

Friday Read: The Wild West of cannabis law

Look at any predictions for 2020 and beyond, and odds are that you will see the word ‘cannabis’. Looking back to 2019, a few key things set the tone for the next decade. Constellation Brands led the charge for the gold rush by buying an ever-bigger stake in Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth, with other companies clambering to get a piece of what has been called the next .com bubble.

Spotlight on 2020: Damian Clarke, Freixenet Copestick

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

CBD winners on a high as premium demand grows

CBD is the new rock ’n’ roll of drinks, but products infused with this by-product of the hemp plant are only just starting to find their feet. A revolution is likely on the way, finds Andrew Catchpole.

Enotria partners with CBD producer OTO

Enotria & Coe has entered into an exclusive partnership with premium CBD drinks brand OTO.

CBD rum ad ruling points to new marketing restrictions

The ASA has banned adverts for a cannabis-oil infused rum, in a ruling that could have implications for the marketing of the fast-growing CBD-drinks sector.