Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

BrewDog launches UK's strongest beer

Published: 27 July, 2009

Independent brewery BrewDog has launched the UK's strongest beer weighing in at 18.2% ABV.

Aspall Premier Cru nominated world's best cider

Published: 25 November, 2008

Super-premium Suffolk cyder maker Aspall has won first prize at the first ever World Cider Awards 2008 with its Aspall Premier Cru bottled cider, which was also awarded World's Best Dry Cider.

Brewdog calls for Portman Group to be scrapped

Published: 17 November, 2008

The managing director of a Scottish beer company has called for the Portman Group to be scrapped.

BrewDog boss wins BBC series

Published: 13 November, 2008

James Watt, managing director of beer company BrewDog, has emerged as one of two winners of the BBC3 show 'The Last Millionaire' by being first to come off the show.

BrewDog boss to star in BBC series

Published: 11 November, 2008

James Watt, managing director of beer company BrewDog, is to star in a new BBC3 series which pitches the money making skills of successful entrepreneurs against each other.

Aspall to warm winter with mulled cider

Published: 30 October, 2008

Following a successful on-trade trial of the UK's first mulled cider last winter, Aspall is now launching the cider in selected top-end on-trade outlets.
Source: Aspall

"Faddy flavours" could de-valuate cider market, warns Gaymer

Published: 25 September, 2008

"Faddy fruit flavours" are in danger of de-valuing the cider market, the managing director of Gaymer Cider Company, John Mills has warned.

ALMR slams Sainsbury's over loss-leading lager

Published: 26 August, 2008

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has criticised Sainsbury's for selling alcohol at below cost price over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Portman Group slams "mega strength" ciders

Published: 25 July, 2008

The Portman Group drinks industry watchdog has slammed two ciders, Blackout and Mega White, for breaching its code of practice on the naming, packaging and promotion of alcoholic drinks.

Strong lager cans pass Portman Group investigation

Published: 23 July, 2008

Cans of lager with alcohol content exceeding the Government's recommended drinking levels are not encouraging irresponsible drinking, The Portman Group has found.

Savanna Cider launches humorous ad campaign

Published: 23 July, 2008

Savanna Cider, South Africa's leading cider brand and part of Distell, is launching a national integrated advertising campaign.

New summer ad campaign for Bulmers cider

Published: 23 July, 2008

Bulmers Original, the 'served over ice' bottled cider, is launching new national TV advertising introducing the concept of "squeezing the most out of the great British summer".

S&N details new ale and cider joint ventures

Published: 23 July, 2008

Scottish & Newcastle has finalised the details of its new heritage joint venture.

Cider firm guilty of safety breach

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: HP Bulmer has pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a fatal outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.

Ros wine sales knock the fizz out of lager

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Young working women fuel surge in ros wine sales, according to a market research firm.

Poor summer hits beer/cider sales

Published: 23 July, 2008

The rotten summer of 2007 has hit sales for brewers such as Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), with the category as a whole seeing a double-digit drop in the volume of beer sold.

Irish drinks group C&C - the makers of Magners - will cut 70 jobs temporarily at its cider making plant due to a recent downturn in trading triggered by poor weather in Britain and Ireland, a company spokesman has said.

Stella Artois 4% targets "everyday lager" sector

Published: 30 November, 1999

InBev is looking to create a new premium position within the 'everyday' 4% ABV lager market with the August launch of Stella Artois 4%.

PLB adds Brazilian lager to portfolio

Published: 30 November, 1999

PLB, one of the largest independent importers and distributors of beer and wine, has further strengthened its branded beer portfolio with the addition of Palma Louca - the UK's number one imported Brazilian lager.