Strong demand from the UK, the US and China helped South African wine exports increase by 12.1% in value to R10.2bn in 2021.

Co-founder and chief exec of non-alcoholic spirit brand Lyre’s, Mark Livings, has joined the advisory board of Ful, a producer of climate-positive, sparkling spirulina drinks.

Pernod Ricard UK has expanded its American whiskey portfolio with Rabbit Hole making the UK the first European market to launch the brand.

Diageo is investing £73 million in a Guinness microbrewery and “culture hub” in the heart of London.

Indian hospitality and hotel brand Taj have announced the opening of a new bar and restaurant at the five-star Taj 51 Buckingham Gate in central London.

Panther M*lk, the world’s first ready to drink alcohol cocktail made from oat milk, spirits and liqueurs, has launched in the UK in two flavours.

London Wine Fair director Hannah Tovey has branded Prowein's decision to move the Dusseldorf-based show to May "a direct attack" on the UK drinks trade.

Sales of no and low alcohol beverages in 10 key global markets reached almost $10 billion in 2021 up from $7.8 billion in 2018, according to a new IWSR report.

The UK’s CBD market is now the second-largest in the world and following a period of regulatory red tape, the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry claims that the UK now has the most evolved regulatory framework for CBD in the world. Coupled with a growing consumer trend away from alcohol, CBD-infused functional beverages could be set to explode this year.

Suffolk-based distillery Adnams has launched a high-strength gin distilled with ten times the botanicals to give the flavour of a full serve in a 2.5ml measure.

Brands Report editor Hamish Smith explains the methodolgy behind the report's polling system.

Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced measures to support England’s hospitality sector this festive period as Omicron cases rise.

Italian spirits company, Illva Saronno has launched the craft organic gin brand, Engine in the UK.

Politicians and industry groups are urging the UK government to provide financial support to firms impacted by the rising Covid cases.

Portuguese wine producer, Esporão, has announced its partnership with Hatch Mansfield as their UK distributor.

Luxury drinks company Moët Hennessy and WhistlePig have launched a full sales and marketing drive in the UK and Europe this month, following the announcement of their partnership last year.

Online sales of alcoholic beverages in 16 key global markets will increase by 66% over the next five years, according to projections from IWSR.

AB InBev has signed a 20-year deal to replace Heineken as the main beer supplier to UK pub giant JD Wetherspoon.

Guinness has announced the limited first release in the UK of a draught tap for homes this Christmas.

Axia spirit, the world’s first extra-dry Mastiha spirit, has been released in the UK following launches in Greece and the US.

Fok Hing Gin has fallen foul of the industry-funded UK drinks industry watchdog for using offensive language.

Logistics companies within the global drinks industry have been battered by an unprecedented confluence of headwinds during the past 18 months.

Central banks are coming under increasing pressure to hike interest rates after inflation soared across the globe.

On 1 February 2022 Spiribam, the spirit division of Groupe Bernard Hayot, will open its proprietary operations in the UK for Rhum Clément, Bounty Rum, Chairman’s Reserve and Admiral Rodney.

Manachain Monaghan from the UK has been crowned global champion of Flor de Caña Rum’s Sustainable Cocktail Challenge with his ‘Steamship’ cocktail.

Demand for ready-to-drink (RTD) products continues to grow amongst consumers, with the category expected to account for 8% of total beverage alcohol by 2025 according to a new report from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

New York-based media company NBTV Studios has announced the UK launch of streaming platform, Spirits Network, and is inviting UK bartenders to audition for its inaugural programme, Shake Off.

Industry charity The Drinks Trust is holding its first annual charity auction, ‘Cream of the Crop’, to raise funds for those who produce and pour drinks across the UK.

UK gin producers have called upon Chancellor Rishi Sunak to freeze duty on spirits after revealing that exports have plummeted 35% as a result of the pandemic.

Tiempo Tequila has debuted its first limited-edition batch of Reposado Cristalino Tequila in the UK.

Hatch Mansfield managing director Patrick McGrath MW is stepping up to the newly created role of chairman.

London Cocktail Week has once again been extended to the whole month of October for 2021 and the full trade schedule has been released.

Irish whiskey producer Bushmills has unveiled a collection of 12 rare single malts aged in a variety of casks.

Pernod Ricard has announced the acquisition of online retailer The Whisky Exchange for an undisclosed fee.

Fernet-Branca has announced that after a year’s hiatus, the Barback Games will return to London Cocktail Week for a third time, on 28^th October.

UK craft brewer Vocation has invested in a redesign for its entire range.

Pernod Ricard UK has highlighted the consumer trends accelerated by the last 18 months and urged retailers to “capitalise on the huge opportunity within premium spirits and wines this Christmas”.

Edrington UK has announced a series of workshops and events for the London trade as part of October’s London Cocktail Week.

Icelandic beer brand Eico has launched in the UK which is made with water from glacial melt.

Alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint has launched in cans across the UK following its successful roll out in draught and bottle formats.

Kirker Greer Spirits has launched a new Japanese spirits brand called Ukiyo which features two gins and a rice vodka coming soon.

Camden Town Brewery has partnered with Marmite to launch a new limited edition beer which uses the popular spread in its brewing process.

Amber Beverages will launch the first new tequila from Fabrica de Tequilas Fino in the UK after the group’s recent acquisition of the distillery in Jalisco, Mexico.

Wristbands are now available for London Cocktail Week 2021 which will once again be extended for the entire month of October.

A direct-to-consumer site allowed AB InBev’s global investment and innovation group to continue gathering vital consumer feedback during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The man who helped establish Malbec as Argentina’s flagship grape is now bidding to showcase the country’s potential as a producer of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.

UK drinks public relations agency Domino Communications and The Drinks Community – the professional members platform from The Drinks Trust – have launched an internship for those working in the hospitality and drinks industry.

Douglas Ankrah, the inventor of the Pornstar Martini and creator of Soho’s LAB Bar has sadly passed away.

Pernod Ricard UK has launched Leaps & Bounds, a new range of Australian wines inspired by dogs.

VSPT Wine Group has seen an 11% increase in sales for Q2 to maintain its number one spot in the Chilean market.