Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

BrewDog prowls into spirits market with LoneWolf

Published: 27 April, 2017

Leading craft brewers BrewDog are aiming to take craft distillation to “new levels” with the launch of their first spirits range.

Craft beer and gin exports follow in footsteps of Scotch

Published: 26 January, 2017

Scotch may be one of the UK's greatest export success stories, but craft beer and gin are fast catching up, according to figures released by Defra yesterday to coincide with Burns' Night.

Craft challenge

Published: 11 January, 2017

Gone are the days when all the consumer had to choose between was a can on the supermarket shelf or cask ale from the pub. This has everything to do with the craft beer movement, which – fuelled by the flexibility and creativity afforded to small brewers, an explosion of flavours in hops from the New World and the proliferation of alternative formats – has taken not just the beer but the entire drinks industry by storm in recent years.

Innis & Gunn crowdfunding round raises double its target

Published: 30 November, 2016

Edinburgh-based Craft brewery Innis & Gunn has raised £2.5 million through a four-week crowdfunding campaign - more than double its original target.

Hofmeister returns to on-trade as premium Bavarian brand

Published: 14 October, 2016

The iconic Hofmeister lager brand is set to return to the UK on-trade after a 13-year hiatus.

Asahi completes Miller Brands UK acquisition

Published: 12 October, 2016

Japanese brewing giant Asahi has completed its acquistion of Miller Brands UK and the creation of Asahi UK, the company announced today.

Insights: The Age of Craft Beer

Published: 26 September, 2016

'Craft beer' is enjoying a golden age, with new breweries springing up across the UK - and there's still plenty of territory left to explore.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 02 September, 2016

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

The impact of televised sport in pubs in 2015 through 2016

Published: 01 September, 2016

According to a new infographic, the Premier League dominates the sports sales market, accounting for 43% of all drinks sports sales.

Wiltshire brewery wages war on Doom Bar

Published: 26 August, 2016

A Wiltshire brewer has taken aim at the success and dominance of Doom Bar "taking over pumps" in pubs across the county.

Nielsen: Alcohol sales boom off the back of hot weather

Published: 23 August, 2016

Brits are celebrating the summer weather and alcohol sales have soared over the last four weeks according Nielsen most recent data out today.

H1 net profit up 25% at Carlsberg

Published: 18 August, 2016

Danish brewer Carlsberg posted its half-year 2016 results to June 30, reporting net revenue of 31.2bn Danish krones (DKK) and a 4% rise in organic growth.

Diageo dropping the "Guinness" from name of its US beer business

Published: 09 August, 2016

Diageo is changing the name of its beer business in the US from Diageo-Guinness USA to Diageo Beer Co. USA to broaden its appeal.

New cabinet members historically voted in favour of alcohol duty hikes

Published: 15 July, 2016

While trying to establish beneficial trading terms with the EU should Article 50 be enacted will be a top priority for the new government, how the new cabinet members voted on alcohol duty may be a bit worrying for the drinks trade.

Curious Drinks gains hundreds of stakeholders and £1.7m investment

Published: 05 April, 2016

A growing beer and cider business has welcomed nearly 900 new stakeholders after raising over £1.7m in a crowd funding initiative

Spirits business and retail outlets drive strong profit growth at Adnams

Published: 24 March, 2016

Adnams, the Suffolk-based brewer, distiller and retailer, saw profits rise 7.3% in 2015, despite flat sales growth.

Grain versus grape: the rise of craft beer

Published: 07 March, 2016

"Stick a cork in it. Wine is done," declared the New York Daily News back in 2013. "Fancy beers in oversize bottles are the hottest items on drink lists at swank restaurants and bars across the city."