Alcoholic Beverage

Innovative serving techniques and new products helping to drive spirit sales up

19-Jul-2013

The spirits market is now worth £8.7bn, up 6 per cent, with consumers happy to pay more for drinks in on-trade venues which use new products or innovative serving techniques, according to the 2013 First Drinks Annual Report. 

Government drops plans for minimum alcohol pricing

17-Jul-2013 By Emma Eversham

The Government has dropped plans to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol, instead pledging to take 'tougher action' on pubs and clubs running 'irresponsible' drinks promotions in a bid to tackle anti-social drinking. 

Scott Hallsworth: Kurobuta expansion likely

03-Jul-2013 By Emma Eversham

Chef Scott Hallsworth, who announced new Japanese izykaya Kurobuta earlier this week, has said he plans to roll the concept out to other sites once the original is established.

High alcohol tax blamed for continual drop in UK wine and spirit sales

24-Jun-2013 By Emma Eversham

The Government’s alcohol duty escalator is being blamed for a continual drop in sales of wine and spirits in the UK’s restaurants, pubs and hotels as research shows that British drinkers now pay 43 per cent more for alcohol than their European counterparts. 

Living Ventures to open new Manchester bar connected to Australasia restaurant

19-Jun-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Living Ventures has announced it is to open a new bar and kitchen in Manchester which will be connected to its modern Australian restaurant Australasia.

BrewDog named fastest-growing bar and restaurant group

11-Jun-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Scottish brewer and pub operator BrewDog has topped the 2013 Zolfo Cooper Profit Tracker, a list of the 50 fastest-growing restaurant and bar companies.

Greater protection for under-18s as the Portman Group's latest alcohol code comes into force

31-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

The Portman Group's latest code of practice for responsible alcohol marketing has come into force in the same week new statistics have shown a fall in alcohol-related hospital admissions of under-24s.

Vitamix presents range of professional blenders at Caffé Culture 2013

17-May-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Blender manufacturer Vitamix were in attendance at the Caffé Culture Show earlier this week, showcasing their full range of products for restaurants and pubs, including the flexible BarBoss Advance machine.

Pub beer sales fall by 50 million pints in Q1

29-Apr-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The long winter has seemingly taken its toll on UK pubs with beer sales dropping by almost 50 million pints in the first quarter of 2012 and pub trade down 5.5 per cent.

Spirit Pub Company opens first pub under new 'premium food' concept

19-Apr-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Spirit Pub Company has opened The George Belsize Park, a premium food pub which is thought to be a trial for a possible new concept for the Burton upon Trent-based group.

First vodka infused squirty cream launches in UK

17-Apr-2013 By Emma Eversham

A vodka infused squirty cream, which was launched in the US last year, is about to come to the UK.

New World Pub Co. to open Liverpool pub following Hill Capital Partners investment

10-Apr-2013 By Emma Eversham

New World Pubco, the pub arm of Living Ventures, is to open its fourth site in Liverpool after receiving £2.7m of funding from Hill Capital Partners Food & Beverage fund. 

Non-alcoholic drinks: Making money from mocktails with Tony Conigliaro

27-Mar-2013 By Peter Ruddick

In the third part of our special feature on non-alcoholic drinks, BigHospitality sat down with leading mixologist and bar owner Tony Conigliaro for an exclusive video on how to make money from mocktails and to discover some current trends and practical...

The gastropub revolution: Pub-restaurants begin to dominate eating-out market

15-Mar-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Food sales in managed pubs are outperforming the rest of the UK’s eating-out sector on the back of keen pricing, effective marketing and a broadening of their offering to appeal to a wider consumer-base.

SSP to introduce self-service elements in new Manchester Airport pub

13-Mar-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Food travel firm SSP is set to open a new pub - The Grain Loft - in Manchester airport which will feature high-tech elements including 'sound pods' and self-service beer points.

Oaka Group to make London debut with real ale and pan-Asian dining pub

25-Feb-2013 By Peter Ruddick

The Oaka Group, which operates four hospitality businesses in Peterborough and Birmingham, is to open its first site in London - a pub and restaurant combining real ale from Oakham Ales and pan-Asian cuisine. 

Sweet success: UK cider consumption hits record levels

25-Feb-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Pubs and bars operators across the UK could reap ‘spectacular rewards’ if they enhanced their offerings of cider, which is closing in on beer in terms of consumption. But many customers say they are not always aware that the product is on offer.  

Revere Pub Company plans to open seven pubs with rooms

18-Feb-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Revere Pub Company, the unbranded and premium pub format created by Marston's, has revealed it will open its first pub with rooms next month and plans to operate seven by the end of 2013.

Tri-star packaging launches portable ice bucket

13-Feb-2013 By Emma Eversham

Tri-Star Packaging has added a portable ice bucket to its PortaBrands range of out-of-home drinks carriers, which it says could help operators drive sales of Champagne, wine and beer at outdoor events and venues this summer. 

Homeslice Pizza to open Covent Garden restaurant

12-Feb-2013 By Emma Eversham

Homeslice Pizza, the street food operation founded by chef Ry Jessup, will open a permanent restaurant in Covent Garden, London this spring. 

Pub industry responds to Government's alcohol strategy consultation

28-Nov-2012 By Emma Eversham

Trade bodies representing the pub sector have given their views on the Government's alcohol strategy consultation, putting forward a positive response to plans to cut red tape for the licensed sector and a ban on multi-buy promotions while questioning...

Laverstoke Park Farm ordered to change 'childish' ale and lager labels

31-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

An independent complaints panel has ordered producer Laverstoke Park Farm to change the labels on its bottles of ale and lager because it thinks the images on them could appeal to children.

Aspall launches Harry Sparrow Cyder in tribute to former cider maker

24-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Suffolk cyder producer Aspall has launched a ‘sessionable’ 4.6% abv cider called Harry Sparrow in tribute to its former cider maker. 

Monster Energy launches calorie-free version of its energy drink for on-trade

18-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Monster Energy has launched Monster Absolutely Zero for the on-trade market in the UK - a calorie-free version of its Monster Export energy drink.

Increasing drinks margins: Panel discussion at The Restaurant Show

16-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

At 22.7bn and in growth, the UK on-trade beer, wine and spirits market remains a star performer. This panel discussion at The Restaurant Show explores some of the current trends and identifies how you should be revising your drinks list over the next...

Robot Pub Group showcases Robobar self-serve table system at The Restaurant Show

11-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Hospitality technology solutions provider the Robot Pub Group has launched a new range of self-serve tables for pubs and bars, allowing customers to pour their own beer and keep up-to-date with their bill in real time.

Just Desserts creates Fever Tree ginger beer cheesecake for Christmas

28-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

In the last part of the BigHospitality guide to new Christmas products available to hospitality businesses, we put the spotlight on Just Desserts latest range of alternatives to Christmas pudding including a Fever Tree ginger beer cheesecake.

Molson Coors welcomes beer tax milestone after report reveals scale of pub closures in Scotland

24-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

With the beer tax e-petition last week reaching its target of 100,000 signatures, Britain’s largest brewer, Molson Coors, has released a report revealing the shocking scale of pub closures across Scotland due to the ‘excessive taxation on beer and pubs’.

ALMR accuses the Government of 'moving the goal posts' on minimum pricing

18-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has called the Government response to the Health Select Committee report on alcohol minimum pricing 'disappointing' with fears the policy will not significantly tackle the problems caused...

Pub market stabilising with trading confidence on the up

14-Sep-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Trading performance within the public house sector appears to be stabilising, with a survey of pub investors and owners revealing that future expectations for trading performance in the short and medium term are strongly positive.

Simon Rogan set to open pub in same Cumbrian village as L'Enclume and Rogan & Company

07-Sep-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Simon Rogan has revealed he is to take over the running of his local pub - The Pig & Whistle in Cartmel - which is located within walking distance of his flagship restaurant L'Enclume and sister venue Rogan & Company.

Drinks 21 brings Ice Cognac to the UK on-trade

03-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Premium drinks importer and distributor Drinks21 announced the arrival of Ice Cognac by ABK6 to its growing portfolio of niche, boutique brands.

Fentimans launches new range of mixers

22-Jun-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Premium soft drinks manufacturer Fentimans has launched its new range of mixers for the on trade with the addition of a light tonic and ginger ale to the collection of botanically-brewed drinks. 

Euro 2012: Orchid reports massive pubs sales boost

19-Jun-2012 By Peter Ruddick

As the England team prepares for its final Group D match of Euro 2012, Orchid has revealed the tournament has driven a massive sales boost across its pub estate with a number of venues scoring more than 300 per cent like-for-like growth.

Above-inflation price of alcohol blamed for wine sales drop in restaurants, pubs and hotels

13-Jun-2012 By Emma Eversham

Wine and spirit sales in restaurants, pubs and hotels have dropped by 8 per cent and 1 per cent respectively in the last financial year with above-inflationary prices blamed for the hit. 

Minimum alcohol pricing: Is it now inevitable and what would the impact be on hospitality?

14-Mar-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Minimum alcohol pricing which stops retailers selling drinks for less than the tax paid comes into force this year but reports now suggest the Government is looking to go further and may support a minimum per unit price; but what would the impact be on...

'Give beer a break', urges SIBA chairman

09-Mar-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) chairman Keith Bott has called for policy makers to ‘give beer a break’ as he addressed delegates at the organisation’s annual conference yesterday in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Government should encourage pub drinking to control alcohol violence, new research suggests

07-Mar-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The Government should encourage people to return to pubs and bars to drink if it is to control night-time violence caused as a result of alcohol, according to new research from the Institute for Health and Community at Plymouth University.

Wine sales at restaurants, hotels and pubs fall 6% in 2011

06-Mar-2012 By Emma Eversham

Volume sales of wine at restaurants, hotels and pubs fell 6 per cent in 2011, according to the latest Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) Market Report with spirit sales down slightly less at 2 per cent. 

Cameron: Pubs and bars need to work with Government on binge drinking

15-Feb-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The Prime Minister has called for more action from the drinks industry and pubs on binge drinking in a speech ahead of the publication of the Alcohol Strategy which may suggest some form of higher minimum alcohol pricing.

Diageo National Pubwatch Awards launched to encourage responsible drinking

07-Feb-2012 By Luke Nicholls

National Pubwatch has teamed up with drinks business Diageo to launch an award to encourage and recognise safer social drinking environments.

TV sport in pubs: size does matter, says new study

07-Feb-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Pubs planning to show the 2012 Olympics or European football championships on TV in their venue over the summer have been warned most sports fans intend to vist the pub less and publicans need to bear in mind the size of their screen and drinks prices...

Drinkers advised to have two alcohol-free days as calls come for MPs to review guidelines

09-Jan-2012 By Emma Eversham

Drinkers are being advised to have two alcohol-free days per week as calls come for MPs to review current guidelines around alcohol consumption.

Decline in pub drinking drives beer sales down

21-Dec-2011 By Peter Ruddick

A decline in the number of people drinking in pubs has led to beer sales dropping by £2.2m this year, according to new data released by Mintel, although sales in restaurants rose slightly as the trend for matching beer with food grew..

How many units in your drink? BBPA launches unit awareness campaign for pubs

16-Dec-2011 By Luke Nicholls

In the build-up to the busy Christmas period for the UK’s pubs, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has launched a national campaign to raise awareness of alcohol unit consumption among pub-goers.

Orchid prepares for 2012 with list of pub trends and predictions

12-Dec-2011 By Luke Nicholls

Orchid, the 290-strong food-led pub group, has released its own 2012 guide, featuring experts’ predictions of the trends, key issues and challenges facing the wider pub trade next year.

Majority of diners expecting to use discount vouchers in restaurants this Christmas

30-Nov-2011 By Emma Eversham

Restaurants offering discounts to diners are set to remain popular this Christmas with 71 per cent of diners saying they intend to use them to get money off meals out during the festive season.

Compass cuts salt sachet contents by 25%

25-Nov-2011 By Rachel Parkes

Contract caterer Compass has reduced the contents of its salt sachets by 25 per cent, as part of a government drive to improve the food on offer to the nation.

Below-cost alcohol ban “an important first step”

08-Nov-2011 By Luke Nicholls

The Government is to introduce a ban on the sale of alcohol below the cost of the tax paid on it in an attempt to cut crime across England and Wales.

Rockwell's bar manager adds calorie counts to cocktail menu

05-Oct-2011 By Emma Eversham

The bar manager at the Rockwell bar at Trafalgar Hotel in London, has started listing the calorie count of each drink on his cocktail menu to meet growing demand for nutritional information from customers.