Sales of beer, wine and spirits grew by a remarkable 67% in the UK off-trade during the week to March 21.

AB Inbev has drawn down the entirety of a $9bn loan facility from global banks as it bids to ride out the coronavirus outbreak.

The previously unassailable Johnnie Walker could be showing signs of weakness, finds Hamish Smith

Diageo’s Bulleit holds both top spots for the third year running. Shay Waterworth reports

There’s been little change in the best sellers, with the top brands all holding, says Hamish Smith

Bibendum CEO Michael Saunders has warned the UK wine trade that business conditions will remain “tough” in 2013 and voiced his “violent objections” to minimum unit proposals.

Pernod Ricard launched Absolut Exposure last night at an event at TFWA Cannes.

Bar Convent Berlin attracted 5,700 visitors this year, a 20% increase on 2011.

With ProWein 2013 in mind, Thomas Brandl finds out how winemakers in central and south-eastern Europe have made efforts to modernise and become more competitive.

The International Wine Challenge held is annual bash at the Hilton on London’s Park Lane last night at which all its trophy winners were announced.

Macallan Gold has launched exclusively to the UK, with about 50 European markets and Canada to receive the new pale single malt scotch whisky next spring.

Diageo has announced the release of some rare single malt scotch whiskies to be launched this autumn in the Special Releases series. All are at natural cask strength.

Chivas Brothers boss Christian Porta has told journalists and analysts today that the next significant development for its scotch whisky business will be to build a new distillery.

Distell, South Africa’s leading wine and spirits producer, has reported a 15% growth in revenue for the year to June 2012 and a 9.9% increase in sales volumes across its portfolio of wines, spirits and RTDs in both domestic and international markets.

Diageo has announced a 6% net sales growth and 9% increase in operating profit for the year ended June 30, 2012.

Bacardi has announced the appointment of Ron Anderson as senior vice president and chief commercial officer.

Despite challenging Portuguese economic conditions, Vinho Verde exports are on the increase and will become more competitive in the global market place, according to the Vinho Verde Commission (CVRVV).

The Macallan 64 Year Old Lalique Cire Perdue is world’s most expensive whisky sold at auction – that’s official.

Wine journalist, Tim Atkin MW and d'Arenberg owner and winemaker Chester Osborn, were both named as recipients of the Wine Intelligence 10 for 10 Business Award.

Rémy Cointreau's consolidated turnover for the 2011/12 financial year was €1,026.1 million, an increase of 13% (up 15.6% organically) compared with the previous year.

Events firm Brintex has voiced optimism ahead of this year’s London International Wine Fair (LIWF) and Distil despite the absences of Pernod Ricard, Percy Fox (Diageo’s UK wine division) and PLB.

The scotch whisky category belied global economic instability in 2011 by growing sales value 23% to a record £4.2billion.

SPI Group has signed a five-year agreement with Telford International Company for the distribution of its Stolichnaya portfolio in China.

Chivas Brothers is to launch a limited edition golf pack for its Ballantine’s 17 and 21 year old blended whiskies.

Gifting remains the driving force behind wine sales growth in China, according to research by Wine Intelligence.

William Grant has launched its first ever Glenfiddich19 year old single malt scotch whisky, which has been matured in Madeira wine oak casks.

William Grant has released Glenfiddich’s first-ever vatted ‘vintage reserve’, the 1974 Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve which the company claims was selected by a global panel of 16 experts.

Chivas Brothers has launched two 17-year old Ballantine’s expressions under the new line, Signature Distillery Editions.

Angostura has crowned US bartender David Delaney Jr as the winner of the 2012 Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge.

Pernod Ricard’s CEO Piere Pringuet has spoken out about Havana Club’s flat half-year sales growth, branding its performance “disappointing”.

Beam Inc, the US-based global spirits company, has reported full-year net sales increases of 8%.

Jura, The Whyte and Mackay single malt, has teamed up with its coffee industry namesake to create a range of whisky and coffee pairings.

There is unlikely to be any ice wine from Germany this year because of the mild winter north west Europe is experiencing.

The Glenmorangie Company has announced the global launch of Artein, the third release of the Glenmorangie Private Edition range.

Budvar has reported record export results for 2011.

Fine wine prices fell 15% in 2011, fine wine index Liv-ex has reported.

Heineken has declared an intention to increase its share in a brewery in Haiti to 95%.

Brown-Forman has reported double-digit half-year net sales growth after a strong performance from its Jack Daniel's brand. 

Morrison Bowmore has launched Bowmore Tempest Small Batch Release No. 3 to global markets.

Bas-Armagnac Francis Darroze has launched Les Grands Assemblages, a seven-strong range of armagnacs to global markets.

Rémy Cointreau has attributed its positive half-year profits to “remarkable” growth in Asia and “strong” performances in the US and Europe.

Diageo has opened a £10 million cooperage in Scotland.

London Pride brewer Fuller’s has announced half-year growth of 6% after registering a turnover of £128m.

The board of Alcohol Concern, the anti-alcohol lobby group in the UK, has announced a restructuring of its senior management following the loss of core funding with the role of the CEO becoming part time for a year alongside the recruitment of a full time director of fundraising and campaigning.

UK Rumfest has announced the winners of the Golden Rum Barrel Awards 2011, with Foursquare Distillery of Barbados taking home two of the top prizes.

The winners of the International Spirits Challenge trophies have been announced.

Stella Artois is gearing up for its World Draught Masters final in Buenos Aires, having anointed a champion from its UK heat.

Drambuie has reported operating profits of £2.81m – up 2% on last year.