beverage bites: News up to June 5, 2015
Beer and baseball for Miller Lite; glass particles prompt wine recall; and more beverage bites
Glass particles in wine prompts recall
African wine company Distell is recalling some lines of bottled wine after small glass particles were detected in products by agents in Japan.
Distell says it has identified the cause as a single bottling line at one of its wine packaging facilities, adding the problem has since been rectified.
“No consumer complaints have been received and expert medical opinion has confirmed that ingestion would be harmless,” says a statement from the company.
In the UK, the recall affects certain products sold in Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose
‘We expect our people to lead by example,’ says AB InBev, after drink driving incident
AB InBev’s head of German operations has parted company with the brewing giant after a drink-driving incident.
Till Hedrich – who took on the position in January – was in a car accident on the A95 from Munich on April 30.
A statement from AB InBev said: “Till Hedrich explained to the company that he led his car under heavy influence of alcohol. Three other people were part of the accident but as we know nobody was heavily injured.
“We regret that Till Hedrich left the company, but in light of what happened this seemed the only logical course of action for both parties. With ‘Geklärt, wer Fährt!’ in Germany and many such programs around the world, we are champions of designating a driver, so we expect our people to lead by example and never drink and drive.”
Coca-Cola’s ‘21st century partnership model’
Coca-Cola has signed agreements with two new bottling partners, for the granting of new distribution territory.
Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution (a subsidiary of Reyes Holdings) has been given territories in greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida (a newly created independent Coca-Cola bottling company) will have areas in central Florida (including Sarasota, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Ft. Myers, Ft. Pierce and Lakeland).
The Coca-Cola Company is continuing to align US operations with partners and move refranchising efforts on, said Sandy Douglas, president, Coca-Cola North America.
Beverages: an exciting industry to work in
Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East has appointed Matt Twiss as its Marketing & Business Development Director. Twiss comes to the position after 17 years with the company in marketing and commercial roles (most recently as sales director of the European Speciality Packaging division). Commenting on his appointment, Twiss says the beverage market is ‘fast-moving, dynamic and an exciting place to work.’
Noé Gailly has been appointed as Marketing Manager – New Product Development. Gailly also comes from within Crown, having worked in the Speciality Packaging facility and with Crown’s Food Europe team.
Crown Holdings makes metal packaging for the beverage industry, among others.
Carlsberg UK increases craft beer range
Carlsberg UK has increased its portfolio of craft and speciality beers to a total of 39 beers this year, with growing demand seen in on-trade channels.
New additions for 2015 include Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale (An 8.5% ABV beverage made with American hops); Jacobsen Saaz Blonde (Belgian-style beer with hints of angelica root, clove and coriander); and St Austell Brewery Korev (a Helles-style lager from Cornwall).
Carlsberg UK identifies year-on-year growth for craft beer in the country up 34%, adding the average pint of craft beer can command an additional 75-90p per pint.
Miller Lite makes Canadian baseball sponsorship deal
On Wednesday Miller Lite was announced as the official beer of Major League Baseball (MLB) in Canada, thanks to a multi-year partnership.
MLB is the top level of professional baseball, and has 30 member clubs in the US and Canada.
Effective immediately, the partnership will begin with promotions in the run up to the 2015 All-Star game in Cincinnati (July 14).
Other MLB sponsors in Canada include Pepsi, Frito Lay and Gatorade.
SABMiller brand Miller Lite was launched in Canada recently, with the 4% ABV American Light lager imported from the US.
NGOs resign from EU health forum over alcohol policy, Coca-Cola's 100% plant-material bottle, and Brown-Forman releases its fiscal 2015 results: see the related news section below for more top stories from this week.
