Drinks Trust unveils new mentoring scheme

The Drinks Trust has today unveiled its The Drinks Community Mentoring Programme, a key part of its recently announced The Drinks Community initiative.

Lockdown will end in Tiers (2 and 3 for most of England)

The end of lockdown will bring little relief for England’s hospitality sector, which is returning to the rule of alcohol “only to be served with substantial meals” or stricter for most of the country.

Diageo launches ambitious ten-year sustainability plan

Global drinks giant Diageo has launched a new ten-year sustainability action plan featuring a range of goals involving environment issues, diversity and inclusion, and moderate drinking initiatives.

Virtual Christmas cocktail party in aid of The Drinks Trust

Liana Cocktail Co is gearing up to host a virtual Christmas cocktail party in a bid to raise funds for The Drinks Trust.

Brits set to mix up Christmas drink choices

Brits are gearing up to throw out the festive rule book this Christmas with new research showing a shift in festive consumer drinking trends.

Pernod Ricard recognised for environmental efforts

Drinks giant Pernod Ricard has been awarded ‘Lead’ status by the United Nations Global Compact for the third consecutive year for its work on sustainability.

Cognac raises its game

As a younger generation of drinkers becomes increasingly interested in what Cognac has to offer, Lisa Riley looks at the innovation and diversity at work within the category.

Trade squeezed over calories

A new consultation into mandatory calorie labelling on alcohol products is adding fuel to already fiery conversations around health, wellness and indulgence, finds Jo Gilbert.

Round Table: Rebooting the on-trade

Prominent restaurateurs joined Andrew Catchpole around a virtual table to discuss rebuilding trade in the new norm.

Long Read: Moonshine and fruit wine – a postcard from post-Covid Latvia

Pernod Ricard, Mentzendorff and Lucky Saint alum Hugh Jones upped sticks recently and headed to Baltic capital Riga where he found an emerging drinks industry with parallels to the UK's own. 

Back to the bar: the reality of reopening

Lisa Riley catches up with a trio of bar professionals after the reopening of the on-trade to get a feel for the ‘new world’ to which they have returned. 

Enotria & Coe bolstered by £6m investment

Leading on-trade supplier Enotria & Coe has received a major new investment.

Spirits: Premium’s in the house

Premium spirits have done a roaring trade under lockdown, as consumers with no place to go attempt to recreate some on-trade magic, writes Nigel Huddleston

Diageo GB’s full year results reveal impact of on-trade closure

Diageo’s full year results reveal a 47% fall in operating profits globally as a result of the pandemic, with net sales of spirits down 8% globally, and a 4% dip in the UK.

Alcohol sales outperform soft drinks on first weekend back

Sales of alcohol in managed pubs and bars outstripped non-alcoholic drinks on the 4 July weekend, it has been revealed, with beer becoming the celebratory lockdown-breaker of choice among punters.

58 Gin claims UK first with gin-based hard seltzer

London-based artisan spirits distillery 58 Gin has launched what it claims to be the first gin-based hard seltzer in the UK.

Berkmann’s spirits arm adds CBD drinks

Spirit Cartel, the spirits arm of Berkmann Wine Cellars, has added CBD drinks brand Gibson’s Goodology to its premium spirits portfolio. 

AI proving ‘most exciting catalyser’ of wine innovation

The advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software is by far the most exciting catalyser of innovation in the wine industry, according to speakers at an Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) webinar held yesterday (17 June).

‘Lipstick effect’ driving boom in CBD and cannabis-infused drinks

‘Save summer six’ ministers press for 22 June on-trade reopening

Boris Johnson is understood to be close to agreement with a group of senior ministers to look at reopening the hospitality sector on 22 June.