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Tag: alcohol

  • Saigon beer company reports 6% profit increase in first half

    Saigon beer company reports 6% profit increase in first half

    Sabeco has reported a slight profit increase to VND2.3 trillion ($90.85 million) within the first half of 2024.

    According to its latest financial report, the beverage company reported a 6% increase in profit from the first half of 2023, earning an average of VND12.9 billion per day.

    Business in the second quarter this year was better than the same period in 2023, with a profit at VND1.319 trillion, a 9% increase. It was also the second consecutive quarter where Sabeco saw a recovery to its profit.

    The company’s management board said policies for alcohol level control have been implemented in the first half of this year, with the company seeing tough competition in the market.

    But thanks to the recovering economy and positive impacts of increased sale prices, the company’s revenue within the first six months saw a slight increase of 5% to around VND15.27 trillion.

    Higher profit could also be attributed to lower sale costs, with Sabeco cutting sale costs by 14% to VND1.744 trillion, mostly in advertisements and employee discounts.

    However, the board still anticipated the beer industry to be stormy this year, as people tighten their budgets and input costs remain high. Alcohol level control policies, along with proposals to increase special consumption tax, will force the company to improve on its commercial activities and supply chain effectiveness, as well as cut costs, the brewer said.

    Sabeco aims for full-year 2024 revenue to reach VND34.4 trillion and profit to reach VND4.58 trillion, an increase of 13% and 8% respectively. After six months, the firm has reached just under half of its intended revenue goal, and just over half of its profit goal.

    However, the board added it would take a few more years before revenues could return to pre-pandemic levels.

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  • Ukiyo Spirits unveils Tokyo Dry Gin

    Ukiyo Spirits unveils Tokyo Dry Gin

    Drinkslogy Kirker Greer subsidiary Ukiyo Spirits has launched a new small-batch classic dry gin that celebrates Japanese flavours and fragrances.

    The range includes three variants: Ukiyo Tokyo Dry Gin, Ukiyo Blossom Gin , and Ukiyo Yuzu (citrus dry gin). Ukiyo Tokyo Dry Gin will be offered to on- and off-trade merchants in Australia, the UK and the Netherlands beginning next month.

    According to the company, the products are traditionally distilled and made using high-quality Japanese ingredients. The components include indigenous rice farmed in the surrounding regions as well as five native Japanese botanicals: yuzu peel, mikan peel, sakura flower, sakura leaf, and sansho pepper.

    “These carefully chosen ingredients combine to express the diverse terroir and tastes of Japan – resulting in an elegant and delicately aromatic classic dry gin offering warm and well-balanced citrus and spice notes, and a smooth finish,” said Ali Pickering, chief marketing officer at DKG.

    “Tokyo Dry Gin is beautifully presented in Ukiyo’s iconic two–colour graduated bottle, a world-first design offering a stylish and uniquely Japanese aesthetic that reflects Ukiyo’s home by mirroring the mountains and oceans of Japan.”

    The range is aimed at city livers aged 25 to 50 who enjoy travelling and visiting high-end cocktail bars.

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  • Pernod Ricard launches zero alcohol Beefeater 0.0%

    Pernod Ricard launches zero alcohol Beefeater 0.0%

    Liquor company Pernod Ricard has launched Beefeater 0.0% to join its zero alcohol portfolio.

    Beefeater 0.0% is produced by adding the essence of Beefeater London Dry Gin’s recipe to the base, keeping the latter’s taste – minus the alcohol.

    “Beefeater 0.0% is our very first zero alcohol expression, which captures the energy of our timeless London classic but without the alcohol,” said Murielle Dessenis, global VP for marketing gins at The Absolut Group, a company under Pernod Ricard.

    “We are proud to be bringing to the no-alcohol category an elevated option, removing the need for consumers to compromise or miss out on the occasion.”

    Pernod Ricard will initially launch Beefeater 0.0% in Spain, complementing Beefeater’s existing moderated drinking range.

    Last year, the company opened a production line in Thuir, France, for non-alcoholic drinks production, research and development, and innovation.

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  • Pernod Ricard launches zero alcohol Beefeater 0.0%

    Pernod Ricard launches zero alcohol Beefeater 0.0%

    Liquor company Pernod Ricard has launched Beefeater 0.0% to join its zero alcohol portfolio.

    Beefeater 0.0% is produced by adding the essence of Beefeater London Dry Gin’s recipe to the base, keeping the latter’s taste – minus the alcohol.

    “Beefeater 0.0% is our very first zero alcohol expression, which captures the energy of our timeless London classic but without the alcohol,” said Murielle Dessenis, global VP for marketing gins at The Absolut Group, a company under Pernod Ricard.

    “We are proud to introduce an elevated option to the non-alcohol category, removing the need for consumers to compromise or miss out on the occasion.”

    Pernod Ricard will initially launch Beefeater 0.0% in Spain, complementing Beefeater’s existing moderated drinking range.

    Last year, the company opened a production line in Thuir, France, for the production of non-alcoholic drinks, research and development, and innovation.

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  • Irish Single Malt becomes the world’s most expensive whisky

    Irish Single Malt becomes the world’s most expensive whisky

    The Craft Irish Whisky Co has sold a bottle of The Emerald Isle whisky to American collector Mike Daley for $2.8 million, marking a record for the world’s most expensive whisky.

    “The rebirth of Irish whiskey is relatively new, so I feel like I’m getting in on the ground floor. Luxury scotch, to me, is already a crowded type of market,” said Mike Daley, one of the US’ most prolific collectors of the spirit.

    “But we’re only just starting to see luxury Irish make a name for itself. I guarantee you that in the years to come, it will get to where scotch is today.”

    A bottle of The Macallan 1926 sold for $2.7 million at auction last November, momentarily becoming the world’s most expensive bottle, a title now held by The Emerald Isle, indicating a shift in the tastes of luxury collectors, many of whom believe the Scotch market has grown overcrowded.

    The Craft Irish Whisky Co, founded in 2018 by Irish entrepreneur Jay Bradley, was the most highly recognised new firm of the year in 2021, accumulating a total of 12 accolades across both Taste and Design for four of its ultra-rare whisky releases.

    Last year, the company won 44 medals in total, including Gold and Silver at the IWSC Taste medals, Gold, Silver and Bronze at the World Whisky Awards, and a Master Medal for The Donn at The Drinks Business Autumn Bling Tasting.

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  • Australia seeks separate dialogue on China wine dispute

    Australia seeks separate dialogue on China wine dispute

    Australia wants a separate dialogue with China on their dispute over wine, the agriculture minister said on Sunday, rejecting Beijing’s proposal to link wine with other trade issues as the two nations slowly seek to improve battered relations.

    China’s removal of tariffs last month on Australian barley has raised hopes for an easing of wine tariffs, in place since 2021, which have hammered the country’s wine exports.

    Bilateral relations sank in 2020 when Australia called for an inquiry into Covid-19 origins, triggering reprisals by Beijing, including a raft of trade restrictions that hurt Australia’s export-reliant economy.

    China on Thursday proposed a “packaged solution” that would tie the wine dispute to those about duties on Australian imports of Chinese railway wheels, wind towers and stainless steel sinks, state news agency Xinhua reported.

    But Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said on Sunday, “We see them as entirely separate matters.” The government wants the wine dispute “resolved in the same way the barley dispute was resolved – through dialogue”, he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

    “We will continue our WTO (World Trade Organization) case when it comes to wine and we will continue to defend the case when it comes to steel,” Watt said, referring to disputes ongoing at the global trade body.

    China was Australia’s top wine export market before Covid, peaking at $770 million for the 12 months to January 2020 when the pandemic hit. In the year to June, they had plunged to $5.2 million.

  • Bacardi Australia appoints Luiz Schmidt as new MD

    Bacardi Australia appoints Luiz Schmidt as new MD

    Luiz Schmidt will take over as Managing Director of Bacardi in Australia and New Zealand after more than two years in Panama working as Regional Marketing Director for Bacardi in Latin America and the Caribbean.

    A University of Technology MBA graduate and FMCG marketing specialist with over 20 years of international experience, Schmidt will lead Bacardi’s sales, marketing, finance and supply chain functions, as well as expand the company’s premium portfolio and market share in the region.

    Vijay Subramaniam, Regional President for Asia, Middle East & Africa and Global Travel Retail at Bacardi, said Schmidt is uniquely qualified to take over as Managing Director as a dual Australian and Brazilian national with a wealth of experience.

    “The appointment of Luiz Schmidt as our new Managing Director marks an exciting chapter for Bacardi in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

    “Thanks to his extensive international experience leading both developed and emerging markets with the company and more broadly within the industry, Schmidt brings a deep and nuanced understanding of the global premium spirits market.”

    Schmidt said he’s excited to return to Australia, where he’ll be based with his family and take charge of a talented team across Australia and New Zealand.

    “These markets are one of the most developed and attractive premium spirits markets in the world, offering Bacardi a tremendous opportunity to accelerate the growth of our iconic brands in close partnership with our customers and consumers,” he said.

    Bacardi is the world’s largest privately held spirits company, and according to IWSR market share data, holds a leadership position across premium vodka, super-premium tequila, premium gin and white rum globally.

    Schmidt has experience leading long-term marketing and business strategy in companies such as Brown-Forman and Edrington in Australia, USA, Brazil, Mexico and Latin America.

    In his most recent role as Regional Marketing Director for Bacardi in Latin America and the Caribbean, Schmidt successfully transformed the region’s marketing and commercial execution functions and increased market share for brands including Patrón and Bombay Sapphire while co-led Bacardi ́s marketing transformation in Mexico.

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  • Sabeco profits soar by 40%

    Sabeco profits soar by 40%

    Brewer Sabeco said its after-tax profit rose by 40% last year to VND5.5 trillion. Vietnam’s biggest brewer had net revenues of VND34.98 trillion, an increase of 32% from 2021.

    These are significant achievements compared to the 2021 results.

    The 2022 profit figure was the highest in the company’s history, and was achieved despite the challenging market conditions and various post-pandemic difficulties.

    The year also marked an important milestone for Sabeco as it entered phase 2 of its transformation journey, focusing on sales, branding & marketing, production, and supply chain.

    The 2022 results also reflected Sabeco’s accomplishments in transforming its core business processes and accelerating its marketing and sales initiatives.

    It is improving cost management and operational efficiency across the entire supply chain by implementing Sabeco 4.0.

    Given the record profit, the board proposed a special dividend of 15%, which was approved at the AGM, bringing the full-year dividends for 2022 to 50%.

    To further enhance shareholder value, it was proposed to issue bonus shares at a ratio of 1:1, and was also approved.

    Sabeco expanded its mid-to-long-term strategic investment initiatives in 2022 to support sustainable business growth as part of its long-term growth plans.

    This includes recent strategic moves to increase ownership in Saigon Binh Tay Beer Group JSC and Saigon Packaging Group JSC. The two companies will become subsidiaries when the process is completed.

    Sabeco also announced plans to increase its stakes in the Western-Saigon Beer JSC from 51% to more than 70%.

    At the meeting, general director of Sabeco, Bennett Neo, said 2022 was a breakthrough year with record profits.

    “We grew our market share and net revenues, and profit after tax reached VND5.5 trillion, an increase of 40% over 2021. This is a result of our collective efforts to drive sales, the right investment strategy and efficient cost management.”

    For 2023 Sabeco has a revenue target of VND40.272 trillion and a profit target of VND5.775 trillion, increases of 15.1% and 5% from the previous year.

    The company said it would continue to strengthen its 4Cs sustainable development commitment, which includes driving ESG initiatives that are in line with its corporate goals and Vietnam’s national strategies.

    The corporation is committed to continuing its efforts as a proud, prominent and responsible corporate citizen to bring out the best in Vietnam.

    The chairperson of the AGM and board member Michael Chye said the business environment remains challenging with various uncertainties caused by the global economy and unpredictable but fierce competition.

    However, he said Sabeco remains committed to investing in opportunities that drive long-term growth and increase shareholder returns.

    “This will enable us to reward our shareholders with sustainable dividends and in line with the company’s long-term growth prospects.”

    A change of general director was also announced at the annual general meeting and will be effective from October 1, 2023. Lester Tan Teck Chuan will become the new general director.

    Lester is currently Senior Vice President, Chief Beer Business, at Thai Beverage PLC and has been at this role since 2020.

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  • Asahi Beverages to close Green Beacon brewery

    Asahi Beverages to close Green Beacon brewery

    Asahi Beverages will close its Green Beacon brewery’s operations in North Brisbane in around 10 weeks.

    The closure follows several years of “excellent growth” for Green Beacon, according to the company, and is part of a plan to ensure the company’s growth by boosting brewing capacity across various sites.

    Asahi Beverages will invest in Green Beacon’s original location at the Teneriffe brewpub to increase brewing capacity. The majority of Green Beacon brewing will be moved to Asahi Beverages’ other Fire & Earth Ventures locations in Australia, including Pirate Life in Port Adelaide and 4 Pines in Brookvale, NSW. These additional sites are equipped to handle Green Beacon’s continued expansion.

    The closing of Geebung will lead to the departure of three full-time and two casual employees. The remaining Geebung employees will be transferred to the Teneriffe microbrewery.

    “Geebung has been our home for more than six years and has driven much of our recent success,” said Green Beacon’s GM Richard Shrosbery.

    “However, we are experiencing significant growth and have now outgrown the site. Today’s announcement means Green Beacon can continue its growth trajectory by unlocking capacity constraints, which will help ensure we continue to get it to lovers of Green Beacon everywhere.”

    The company said it will assist employees affected by redundancy and is looking at replacement roles within the Asahi Beverages group.

    Last year, Asahi Beverages acquired Byron Ba premium mixer brand StrangeLove as consumer demand for better-for-you beverages grows.

  • Cointreau revamps bottle design, a first in 140 years

    Cointreau revamps bottle design, a first in 140 years

    French liqueur brand Cointreau has unveiled a redesign of its popular amber bottle, the first significant revamp in 140 years.

    Cointreau, an orange liqueur, has been produced in Angers, France since 1849. It is distilled with a combination of sweet and bitter orange peels to produce a clear spirit that enhances the flavour of cocktails.

    The new bottle has an updated shape, including a longer neck – making it easy to pour – and features a minimal illustration of the Maison embellished with Cointreau’s signature copper foiling.

    The lid now features an embossed pattern to enhance form and function while adding grip to the cap.

    In the last three years alone, the brand has reported a 40 percent increase in sales of its 700ml bottles as margaritas reign as a consumer favorite.

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  • Boag’s Brewery tours to continue in Launceston thanks to state government funding

    Boag’s Brewery tours to continue in Launceston thanks to state government funding

    Tours of one of Australia’s oldest breweries — which were set to end in a few days — have been saved at the 11th hour after James Boag’s Brewery received funding from the Tasmanian government to keep them running.

    The Tasmanian government will provide $1 million to keep the Launceston brewery’s visitor centre open.

    As part of the deal, any Tasmanian with a current driver’s licence can get free tours for the next 12 months.

    Lion Australia, which owns Boag’s, announced last week that it would close the visitor centre, citing declining beer consumption, rising costs and the impact of COVID-19 as the reasons why.

    Boag’s Brewery director Nathan Calman said the government funding announcement was a win-win for the Launceston community.

    “The proposal to close the visitor centre and tours was not put forward lightly, but as a response to the significant cost pressures we are facing across our business,” Mr Calman said.

    “The response — an outpouring of immense passion for the continuation of our brewery tours and visitor centre experience — reminded us of just how integral Boag’s is to Launceston.

    Mr Calman said there had been no expectation that the government would provide support to keep the tours operating.

    “This package will help us continue to provide a great tour experience at the Boag’s visitor centre, while we work with the government and other stakeholders to address some of the long-term cost pressures our manufacturing business continues to face,” he said.

    The continued operation of the centre will also save 12 jobs.

    Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who called on Lion to reconsider its initial decision, said the funding would be used to “expand and enhance the tourist attraction”.

    “It’s not only a local cultural icon but a vital part of the local northern economy attracting thousands of visitors a year,” Mr Rockliff said.

    “The unique experience it offers has been a significant drawcard for Launceston for decades, with the benefits flowing to other businesses in the region and across the state.”

    The funding will also be used for a marketing strategy, to promote the tour to interstate travellers.

    Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson said that he was delighted the decision to close the visitor centre had been reversed.

    “We’re thrilled that such a vital component of our visitor economy has been reinstated, not only to the same level but [also with] commitment to expand it.

    “We know that the visitor centre and the tours are consistently ranked highly by visitors to Launceston.”

  • Silkie Irish Whiskey launches in Australia

    Silkie Irish Whiskey launches in Australia

    Irish whiskey maker Sliabh Liag Distillers has launched in Australia through an exclusive partnership with Dan Murphy’s.

    Two varieties of the Silkie Irish Whiskey will be available: The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey – which offers a butterscotch sweetness with green apples and a hint of amber and smoke – and The Legendary Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey which features a rich chocolate character complemented by a salted-caramel sweetness and baked apples “wrapped in a smokey profile”.

    James Doherty, Sliabh Liag Distillers’ founder, said the new Silkie varieties are lighter than the Irish whiskeys most Australians are used to.

    “My aim in creating this collection was to evoke a smoky hue that harks back to a pre-prohibition time when Donegal’s characteristic style was famed for warming, earthy flavours.”

    According to Rosie Keane, Irish Consul general to Sydney, Australia is one of the fastest growing markets for Irish whiskey globally, with sales doubling between 2016 to 2020.

    The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey retails for $74.99 and The Legendary Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey for $79.99. Both have 46 per cent ABV.

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  • Sacrebleu! French brewers use algae to make blue beer

    Sacrebleu! French brewers use algae to make blue beer

    A French brewer has started using algae with a naturally-occurring pigment to turn their beer blue.

    The beer, with the brand name “Line”, is the result of a tie-up between a firm that wants to popularise the algae as a dietary supplement, and a nearby craft brewery that was looking for a way to make its beverages more distinctive.

    The beer is selling well, said Sebastien Verbeke, an employee of Hoppy Urban Brew, which makes the drink. “It’s getting an enormous amount of interest and curiosity on the part of the public,” he said.

    The blue tint comes from spirulina, an algae that is grown in basins by a company called Etika Spirulina in northern France. The component of the spirulina that gives the blue colour, called phycocyanin, is then added to the beer during the brewing process.

    Tasting a freshly produced bottle of the beer, brewery employee Mathilde Vanmansart described it as hoppy, light, and with fruity notes, while the only evidence of the added algae was the distinctive color.

    Xavier Delannoy, whose farm provides the spirulina, said after several test batches, the brewery had found a blend that appealed to customers.

    He said 1,500 bottles of the blue beer were sold between October and December last year, and the brewery is now preparing to ramp up production to meet demand.

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  • Lyre’s latest fundraising round values company at $500 million

    Lyre’s latest fundraising round values company at $500 million

    Fast-growing non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyre’s, has raised $37 million in a round that values the business at A$500 million less than three years after it launched. The funding round was led by a new investor, D Squared Capital, alongside existing investor, Morgan Creek Capital Management, which has also backed Alibaba, SpaceX, Lyft, and Allbirds). Other previous investors joining the fresh round include DLF Venture, VRD Ventures, and Maropost Ventures.

    The Sydney-based business previously raised $16 million in a seed round in September 2020.

    Co-founders Mark Livings and Carl Hartmann launched Lyre’s in April 2019 with the goal of creating non-alcoholic versions of the world’s most popular spirits. It now produces 14 non-alcoholic spirits with the distinct flavors of gin, whisky, vermouth, amaretto, absinthe, rum, and others, as well as a range of ready-to-drink pre-mixed non-alcoholic cocktails, from an Amalfi spritz to and rum and cola and G&T.

    With around 20% of the population not drinking alcohol, consumption trends heading down among existing drinkers, and an emerging, liberated middle class in Muslim countries looking to have fun and socialize while eschewing alcohol.

    CEO Mark Livings said the latest capital injection will be used predominantly for marketing, and create more than 50 new jobs in sales and marketing, production, logistics, finance, and e-commerce.

    Lyre’s products are now available in more than 60 countries, up 50% in 2021, including in the Middle East and China. This year also saw the business manufacture its one-millionth bottle, and develop six new product variations including Classico, their first no-alcohol Prosecco-style sparkling which launched to market in early November. The company now has production facilities in the UK, Germany, Australia, and the US.

    The drinks startup has also established an R&D division in partnership with beverage technology giant Döhler.

    Livings said range now covers more than 90% of the world’s best-selling cocktails.

    “Millennials and older Gen Zs are drinking less alcohol than any generation before them, but the mindful drinking movement transcends generations and cultural borders. We’re not only growing our business – we’re expanding the whole category, entering territories like the Middle East and Far East virtually uncontested,” he said.

    “The pace of growth we’re seeing is exceptional. We sold our first bottle in 2019 and today we’re selling one at least every 30 seconds. On our current trajectory, Lyre’s is set to become the fastest independent beverage brand to reach Unicorn status.”

    Off-premise sales of low-alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks have jumped in 12 months from $291 million to $3.1 billion. In Australia, the category is expected to grow by 16% over four years to 2024.

    D Squared Capital Managing Director Daniel Grossman said the company is forging a new path in a critical category.

    “The no/low alcohol beverage market is one of the fastest-growing markets in F&B and is showing similar characteristics to plant-based milks, meats, and other mindful consumer categories,” he said.

    “Lyre’s leading product, brand, and range of award-winning SKUs have proven that they are the industry leader and we are excited to be backing the best in class company.”

  • Baileys launches Apple Pie liqueur in Australia

    Baileys launches Apple Pie liqueur in Australia

    Baileys Apple Pie Liqueur has finally dropped in Australia and it’s here for a good time, not a long time.

    We first heard about this incredible flavor over a year ago – but it was only available in the US. We’re delighted that it’s now hitting Aussie shores!

    From mid-October, you will be able to get your hands on a bottle of this limited-edition treat just in time for the festive months.

    Combining the best parts of the traditional apple pie that we know and love, this new drink offers the familiar velvety qualities of Baileys Original Irish cream and vanilla ice cream, plus a kick of Christmassy warmth with the hint of cinnamon and spices.

    Deliciously versatile, this liqueur can be paired with vanilla ice cream, mixed into your favorite apple-inspired baked goods or simply poured over ice for a festive fix. The possibilities are endless!

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