Craft brewing reawakens in Japan

  • Reading time:5 min(s) read

On a recent night at H Street’s Toki Underground, the aromas of braised pork and ramen broth melded with the grapefruit, lemon and pine wafting from my beer glass. Each sip was both familiar and foreign: citrusy like an American India pale ale, yet subdued and mysterious, bringing to mind not a gulp of orange juice but something coaxed from a mountainside fruit tree. (more…)

SABMiller finds full-strength returns elusive in Foster’s declining market

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BEER volumes for SABMiller’s Australian arm, the brewer Foster’s, have tanked, falling 13 per cent for the first half as the global beer company suffers from the loss of key brands in its local portfolio, termination of third-party distribution contracts and a tougher line it is taking with retailers over pricing. (more…)

Premium beers set to drive growth in the off trade Brazilian beer market, reports Mintel

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While the appeal of standard beer for consumers in Brazil is far from flat with local beer brands now accounting for 19 out of every 20 beers sold in Brazil, new research from Mintel reveals that the premium end of the market may be instigating a change in taste for Brazilian consumers. Indeed, while volumes of standard beer decreased by 2% year on year to 2011, volumes of strong and premium beer grew an impressive 18%. (more…)

Having a Beer With a Smartphone

  • Reading time:4 min(s) read

Drinking beer used to be simple. But the exploding popularity of craft beer over the past several years has changed that, giving beer drinkers a new world of possibilities — and a range of hard decisions. (more…)

SAB Posts Strong Growth in Revenue and Profit in Six Months to End September 2012

  • Reading time:6 min(s) read

– SAB Beverages revenue grows 10% to R20.7-billion
– EBITA grows 11% to R3.5-billion
– Interim dividend of R46-million for Zenzele, SAB’s empowerment programme
– Lager volumes grow 1% to 12.44-million hl
– Market share gains were made in the highly competitive beer business
– Soft drinks volumes grow 8% to 7.8-million hl (more…)