beverage
Coca-Cola’s new variant will be available in four different varieties. Credit: The Coca-Cola Company.
 IHCL
Budweiser APAC executive director and CEO Jan Craps and IHCL managing director and CEO Puneet Chhatwal. Credit: The Indian Hotels Company Limited.
 wine paperwork
UK announces temporary suspension of VI-1 forms post Brexit. Credit: The Wine and Spirit Trade Association.
An architect’s rendering of main façade of the new Victory taproom at 1776 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Credit: Victory Brewing Company.

Coca-Cola to launch new energy drink in US next year

Global beverage company Coca-Cola is set to launch its variant, Coca-Cola Energy, in the US market next year.

With the introduction of the variant, the company intends to enter the energy drink category next year, supporting its ongoing efforts to deliver more beverage options to address changing preferences, lifestyles and tastes.

Coca-Cola brand director Janki Gambhir said: “As a total beverage company, we’re constantly looking for ways to evolve our portfolio and bring people the drinks they want, in a range of categories and package options.

Nestlé opens juice manufacturing plant in Pakistan

Global food and beverage company Nestlé expanded its juice production capacity in Pakistan with the opening of a $22m plant at its Sheikhupura Factory.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar inaugurated the company’s Nestlé Fruita Vitals plant.

The plant is the newest edition to the company’s facilities operating in Pakistan and has 24,000 units per hour production capacity. It produces Nestlé’s range of juices, nectars and drinks.

Campari Group acquires stake in Ancho Reyes and Montelobos brands

Italy-based beverage company Campari Group acquired a controlling interest in alcoholic beverage brands Ancho Reyes and Montelobos from a group of Mexican entrepreneurs.

Under the deal, Campari acquired 51% stake in the two companies for $35.7m. The consideration is subject to customary price adjustments.

Crafted using ancho and poblano chiles, Ancho Reyes is a natural and authentic liqueur suitable for cocktails.

Ab Inbev and IHCL partner to launch microbreweries in India

International brewing firm Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) signed an agreement to launch a chain of microbreweries at The Indian Hotels Company’s (IHCL) hotels.

Under the Rs.1.5bn ($21.2m) partnership agreement, AB InBev plans to open 15 microbreweries across key locations in India over the next five years.

Budweiser APAC executive director and CEO Jan Craps said: “We are delighted to partner with IHCL with its portfolio of exceptional hotels to open speciality microbreweries across top urban cities of India.

Massimo Zanetti Beverage acquires Café Pacaembu in Brazil

Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, an Italian coffee company, expanded its presence in Brazil with the acquisition of Café Pacaembu.

Financial details of the deal, executed through Massimo’s Brazilian subsidiary, are yet to be divulged by either company.

Established in 1957, Café Pacaembu operates a modern plant that is engaged in the production of ground coffee and single-serve coffee products.

Whisky & Wealth Club enters Scotch whisky market

UK-based alternative investment company Whisky & Wealth Club expanded its presence into the Scotch whisky market.

The company partnered with Bladnoch Distillery, a 202-year-old whiskey producer in the Scottish Lowlands.

Whisky & Wealth Club co-founder and COO William Fielding said: “We’re thrilled to be entering the Scotch market after our successful launch with cask Irish whiskey less than a year ago.

UK announces temporary suspension of wine import paperwork

The UK Government announced that it will temporarily suspend import certification requirements for wine from the European Union (EU) for nine months from the date UK leaves the EU.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) welcomed the government’s decision to suspend the requirement of VI-1 forms for nine months.

WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: “The government’s actions are a victory for common sense and will be met with a sense of relief by the UK wine industry as the threat of a £70m bill has been removed.

Refresco to produce PepsiCo beverages in Spain

Rotterdam-based juice and soft drink bottler Refresco entered into a strategic agreement with food and beverage company PepsiCo to produce part of the latter’s beverages volume in Spain.

The agreement, effective from this month, will also involve the transfer of two of the three plants currently owned by PepsiCo in Spain, Tafalla (Navarra) and Seville.

Refresco Group CEO Hans Roelofs said: “This agreement is a very good extension of our relationship with one of our key customers, PepsiCo. It also confirms our business model in Spain, serving retailers and contracts manufacturing customers.”

Lompoc to close Portland brewery in US

US-based Lompoc Brewing closed its brewery operations in Portland on 29 October, after 23 years in the business.

Lompoc Brewing is one of the oldest breweries in the region. Its closure included a brewery and two pubs on North Williams Avenue.

Lompoc Brewing is part of the old-guard of craft breweries. It was established in 1996 and is claimed to be a Portland favourite.

Victory Brewing Company to open brewery in downtown Philadelphia

US-based craft brewery Victory Brewing Company is planning to build a brewery and taproom to expand its footprint to downtown Philadelphia.

Scheduled to open next year, the 14,000ft² brewery and taproom will be located in Center City’s Logan Square, equipped with a production brewing system, three bars, street level, scratch kitchen, 3,500ft² outdoor space and rooftop patio.

The two-level brewhouse will feature a custom Prospero Brewing System, becoming an innovation hub for Victory’s entire business.