Craft beer now used to calculate CPI as sales increase

Craft beer enters the mainstream as it goes in the basket used to calculate inflation for the first time.

Oddbins opens first standalone beer shop

CAMRA claims cut in beer duty has saved over 1,000 pubs and created 26,000 jobs

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) is calling on the government to cut the beer duty for the third year in a row as a report out today highlights the boost scrapping the duty escalator in last year's Budget has given the industry.

Newly formed New Zealand Craft Beer Collective comes to the UK

The New Zealand Craft Beer Collective, a group of craft brewers that formed in mid-2014, will soon be imported and distributed in the UK.

Portman Group hits back against 'misleading' calls for alcohol advertising ban

The Portman Group has branded research from Alcohol Concern which calls for restrictions on alcohol advertising and sponsorship "weak and misleading".

Middle and upper classes flock to Aldi and Lidl for drinks bargains

The British notion of class is no longer holding back shoppers from snapping up drinks bargains at discounters Aldi and Lidl.

Beer sales on the rise after 10 years of falling sales following back to back duty cuts

Nielsen confirms sparkling wine and major spirits categories as big Christmas winners

Nielsen has confirmed that sparkling wine and the main spirits categories were the big winners during Christmas 2014.

Carlsberg UK signs pledges not to sell more than four units in one can

Carlsberg UK has committed to the government's Public Health Responsibility Deal pledge on packaging - stating it will not sell any carbonated product with more than four units of alcohol in a single-serve can.

Drinks industry 'vastly exceeds' target to remove 1bn units

The drinks industry has "vastly exceeded" its target to remove 1 billion units of alcohol from the UK market two years ahead of schedule, a report from the Department of Health has confirmed.

Matthew Gaughan on what the UK can learn from the rise of craft beers in the US

As in the UK, the beer scene in the US has been transformed over the last 20 years. As mainstream lagers have got blander and colder, craft breweries have sprung up around the country to be greeted by an enthusiastic and increasingly knowledgeable set of drinkers.

Instil Drinks appoints new MD and brings PLB beer portfolio under its wing

Bibendum PLB's beer and niche spirits trading arm Instil Drinks Company has incorporated PLB's extensive beer range into its portfolio, including its flagship Estrella Galicia.

Mitchells & Butlers profit down as revenues grow

Pub and bar operator Mitchells & Butlers, owner of the All Bar One and Browns venues, has seen revenues grow by 4% to £1.9 billion, while profits before tax fell by 13% to £123 million.

Wine suppliers say scrapping beer tie will have limited effect on wine

Wine suppliers say the vote to break the beer tie will have a limited effect on wine sales - while it may open up the market, most leaseholders are already free to buy wine from a supplier of their choice.

Tesco bolsters wine team as it looks to improve quality and customer focus

Tesco has boosted its wine team with the addition of an assistant buyer and quality manager.

Public health experts call for calorie labelling for beers, wines and spirits

The drinks industry faces renewed calls for calorie labelling on drinks, following research which shows strong public backing for the measure and a lack of consumer awareness on how calorific drinks can be.

Trade reacts to the Bibendum PLB merger

Rival suppliers and potential customers of the new Bibendum PLB group have been unsurprised by the news of the merger, given tough market conditions, with most saying further consolidation in the supply chain is on the cards.

Bibendum acquires PLB to create 'UK's most powerful independent' drinks supplier

Bibendum, one of the UK's largest wine and spirits distributors has acquired major rival, PLB, for an undisclosed sum and is merging both businesses, as of today, October 29, into the Bibendum PLB Group, Harpers.co.uk can reveal.

Analysis: The new Bibendum PLB supergroup

Bibendum's acquisition of UK drinks rival PLB and the merger of both businesses has created a supergroup, complete with five divisions, catering to the on and off-trades, independents, specialist beer and spirits and events sectors.

Tesco lists beer created by army veterans to support Help for Heroes

Tesco has listed a Help for Heroes beer, created by injured veterans with the help of brewer and pub operator Marstons, to help raise funds for wounded servicemen.