Top Ten online news stories by Alana House

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TOP 10

Drinks Trade digital stories

THE ROUND UP OF THE BIGGEST STORIES OVER THE LAST 12 WEEKS. FROM THE CARLSBERG LIVERPOOL ‘CHAMPIONS CAN’ TO VB AFTER SHAVE, WE’VE GOT THE ROUND UP OF ALL THE EYE CATCHING STORIES.

1. CARLSBERG RELEASES LIMITED EDITION LIVERPOOL FC CANS

Carlsberg celebrated Liverpool FC winning the Premier League by launching a limited edition ‘champions can’ for fans in 25 countries around the world.

The limited-edition packaging saw Carlsberg switch its iconic green colour to Liverpool FC’s equally iconic red, while the club’s crest and player signatures appeared on the cans.

Approximately 20,000 cartons were produced for the Australian market under licence by Coopers Brewery, bound for liquor stores around Australia.

Almost 100 Liverpool FC fans who had pre-purchased celebration cans gathered at the Highway Hotel at Plympton in Adelaide in early July, where the first delivery was made to the Thirsty Camel bottle shop.

Some fans drove up to five hours to collect their cans.

2. VICTORIA BITTER RELEASES A FRAGRANCE CALLED THIRST

Victoria Bitter has launched its first fragrance – Thirst. A scent by VB – featuring the essence of the Super Pride hops used to brew the beer.

The packaging is inspired by the iconic Victoria Bitter stubby and features the slogan “eau de hard work”.

Victoria Bitter’s Marketing Director, Hayden Turner said: “We love hard work, but let’s be honest, no one wants to be the person who brings the smell of the worksite to the pub, which is why we created Thirst.”

“It enhances that perfect knock off moment – a spray of Thirst, followed by an ice cold VB at the pub with your mates. We wanted to honour that moment with a fragrance that every hard-working, VB drinking, Aussie man would be proud to wear.”

3. ALCOHOLIC SELTZER THREATENS BEER SALES

Nielsen is predicting alcoholic seltzer will erode beer and wine sales as the segment continues to gather momentum during COVID-19.

The verdict comes as Lion prepares to launch the world’s biggest selling brand – White Claw – in Australia.

In a new report Nielsen cautions suppliers not to underestimate alcoholic seltzers, saying they pose a threat to traditional flavoured beverages and core beer options.

During the 15-week period ended June 13, 2020, alcoholic seltzer off-premise sales within US retail quadrupled on a year-overyear basis, an increase of $900 million.

“Total hard seltzer sales for the 52week period ended June 13, 2020 were $2.7 billion, and dollar share of total beer/ flavoured malt beverage/cider has now exceeded 10% for four consecutive weeks (more than double the 4.4% share it held as of the 52-week period ending February 29, 2020),” Nielsen reports.

“Given this trajectory, we think it’s possible that hard seltzer’s share could reach 15% before the end of the summer.”

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4. TWE TIPS HYBRID DRINKS AS THE NEXT BIG TREND

Treasury Wine Estates has released two new hybrid drinks – Squealing Pig Pinot Noir Gin and Lindeman’s Gentleman’s Collection Coffee Shiraz - as it seeks to tap into the “new conversation” about wine.

According to the winemaker, today’s wine consumers are more open-minded than ever before and are waiting for brands to create memories or experiences that drive talkability among friends over a drink.

The Pinot Noir Gin is infused with 12 botanicals and features berry fruit flavours and includes a dash of Squealing Pig’s popular Pinot Noir.

Lindeman’s Gentleman’s Collection Coffee Shiraz is a medium-bodied shiraz blended with a dash of cold brew made from 100% Colombian Arabica coffee beans.

5. TOP SUPPLIERS REVEALED AT 2020 AUSTRALIAN DRINKS AWARDS

Diageo was crowned Supplier of the Year at the 2020 Australian Drinks Awards.

The Drinks Association’s annual celebration of industry excellence was celebrated virtually on July 30.

The trophies went to:

Category Management Award – Diageo

Supply Chain Management Award – Treasury Wine Estates

Most Improved Supplier of the Year – Asahi Premium Beverages

Supplier of the Year – Diageo

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6. CUB REVEALS NEW STRUCTURE AND EXECUTIVE TEAM

Asahi Beverages completed its acquisition of Carlton & United Breweries on June 1 and announced in August that CUB and Asahi Premium Beverages would both operate under the iconic CUB name by Q4 2020.

The company noted: “The combination will deliver our customers Australia’s leading range of alcohol beverages, including Asahi Super Dry, Great Northern, Carlton Draught, Peroni, Corona, VB, Carlton Dry, Pure Blonde, Mountain Goat, Vodka Cruiser, Somersby Cider, Woodstock Bourbon, the Yaks, Pirate Life, 4Pines and Balter.”

7. THE WORST PUB FOR COVID BREACHES

The Garry Owen Hotel in Rozelle was singled out in August by NSW Liquor & Gaming inspectors as ‘the worst pub seen so far’ for a litany of COVID safety breaches.

The pub was issued with two fines worth a total of $10,000 for its “disregard of mandated COVID safety measures”.

Liquor & Gaming NSW Director of Compliance, Dimitri Argeres, said when inspectors arrived at the Garry Owen Hotel there were only three staff in the whole venue despite being packed with patrons.

“The list of breaches grew from there. In fact the venue was essentially being operated as though there were no restrictions in place,” Argeres said.

“The venue was letting down its workers, the community, and all the other businesses trying to do the right thing to keep their doors open.”

CUB has created a separate sales and marketing team, called CUB Premium Beverages, dedicated to the Cider, Spirits, RTDs, Wine and Seltzers portfolio.

CUB has also introduced Fire & Earth Ventures, which is ZX Ventures rebranded.

Peter Filipovic will lead the combined CUB busin`ess. His executive team is: • Michael Ritoli, GM CUB Premium Beverages • David Stingl, GM Fire & Earth Ventures • Peter Bingeman, GM Sales – CUB • Brian Phan, GM Marketing – CUB • Asha Skyring, GM Strategy & Analytics

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8. COOPERS RELEASES HAZY IPA

Coopers Brewery has launched Hazy IPA, a limited-edition seasonal release available in kegs and 375ml cans across Australia.

Hazy beers are characterised by their intense juicy, fruitforward aroma, soft carbonation, creamy mouthfeel and hazy, opaque appearance that take cloudy beers to a whole new level.

Coopers Managing Director and Chief Brewer, Dr Tim Cooper said Coopers Hazy IPA was a hoppy, sessionable, easy to drink beer providing tangerine, orange, citrus and exotic fruit flavours and aromas as a result of the liberal use of Ahtanum and Strata hops.

It has an ABV of 6.2% and a bitterness level of 27 International Bitterness Units and is sold in four packs.

9. SPARKLING WINE SALES SKYROCKET DURING PANDEMIC

Champagne and sparkling wine sales have surged in Australia during COVID-19, as consumers treat themselves to affordable luxuries.

IRI reports that the total Sparkling category, inclusive of Champagne, has experienced nearly 5% value growth for the last 12 months, with growth accelerating greatly in the last few months. For the quarter ending May 31, the category saw 9.4% growth compared to last year.

Champagne is driving growth, with value up more than 13% for the quarter compared to last year. Sparkling, which accounts for 66.5% of the segment, is also seeing growth, up 2%.

The pink sparkling segment is growing three times faster than total sparkling wine for the year and more than four times faster for the quarter.

10. METCASH REVEALS LIQUOR ACQUISITIONS

Metcash announced two liquor acquisitions during its FY20 results presentation - the purchase of Kollaras & Co’s private label brands and the Liquor Centre in New Zealand.

Metcash said the acquisition of the Kollaras Trading’s private label portfolio was a key accelerator of the company’s private label growth strategy.

“The acquisition of the Kollaras Trading Company branded business in Australia and New Zealand includes the ownership of brands such as Two Truths and Seahorse Bay, plus taking on the exclusive supply of imported brands such as Mr Boston Bourbon and Molly’s Irish Cream,” Liquor CEO Chris Baddock said.

“This acquisition is consistent with ALM’s purpose to champion successful Independents, which includes a strong focus on growing private label; ensuring that ALM has full control over this portfolio, which offers consumers great quality and value as well as growing margin for our retail partners.”

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