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Constellation Brands has bought SpikedAde, a zero-sugar, 100-calorie vodka RTD in the eastern US "ade" segment, paying $75m upfront with up to $278m more over five years tied to performance. The team moves into Constellation's Beer division, joining an RTD range that includes Austin Cocktails.
Just Drinks |
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The Supreme Court meets in conference Friday to decide whether to hear Wilson v. Miller, in which Ohio is asking the Court to review a Sixth Circuit ruling that struck down the state's wine retailer shipping law; both Ohio and the retailer plaintiffs agree the Court should take the case. The Sixth Circuit found Ohio's limit of six bottles brought into the state per 30-day period unconstitutional because the state failed to show a public health or safety purpose, creating what Irish Liquor Lawyer describes as a 4-3 circuit split now divided on results, not just methodology.
Irish Liquor Lawyer |
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The Japan Fair Trade Commission searched the premises of Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory Spirits over suspected violations of the Antimonopoly Act, with the Japan Times reporting the investigation centers on price increases the companies made in October 2022 and April 2024. All four, which cited rising raw material, energy and transportation costs for the hikes, said they would fully cooperate with the regulator.
BBC |
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US craft distillery closures outpaced openings for the first time on record in 2025, per the American Craft Spirits Association, which counted 2,131 active craft distillers as of August 2026, down 6.6% year on year. The category also lost market share, with volume off 8% and value down 3.7%; ACSA CEO Emily Pennington pointed to retailers taking on fewer new products, distributors cutting staff and divisions, and consumers moderating.
Drinks Intel |
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Chile's trade chief Paula Estévez said on October 7 that the country will not win zero US tariffs on all its exports, meaning a 12.5% US surcharge imposed July 23 after a Section 301 forced-labour investigation will stay on at least some goods, including wine, salmon, timber and fruit. About 53% of the value of Chilean exports to the US still enters duty free, and talks on a Reciprocal Trade Agreement continue with no stated deadline.
The Rio Times |
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Heaven Hill Brands has sold the Irish Mist liqueur brand to Ireland-based The Old Canal Quay Spirits Company, through the sale of Zilorto, the Heaven Hill Ireland subsidiary that owns the brand; terms were not disclosed. Heaven Hill had acquired Irish Mist along with Carolans from Campari in 2017 for an enterprise value of $165m, and Old Canal Quay was founded in 2024 by Irish and US drinks-industry professionals.
Just Drinks |
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Treasury Wine Estates has laid off more than 170 jobs across its global corporate functions. A spokesperson said the cuts were made "as part of our transformation to create a simpler and more focused organisation".
Just Drinks |
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Japan's Fair Trade Commission raided Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory on suspicion they formed a cartel and colluded to raise beer prices over several years, the four confirmed Wednesday; the companies together hold about 90 percent of Japan's beer market and said they would cooperate with the investigation. Shares of three of the brewers fell nearly 4 percent, and the watchdog could file a criminal complaint if it finds a breach of anti-monopoly laws.
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |
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Guinness is closing its Open Gate Brewery in the Halethorpe neighborhood of Baltimore County, Maryland, which has operated since 2018 and drawn more than 2 million visits. The $90 million site is shutting down, though Inc. reports the closure is not tied to the brand shrinking.
Inc.com |
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Indian whisky makers are building distillation capacity and aged inventory as the India-UK CETA cuts the duty on UK-origin whisky from 150% to 75% initially, then in stages to 40% from the 10th year. Modi Illva is investing Rs 150-200 crore in a new malt distillery, IndoBevs is putting roughly Rs 200 crore into a Muzaffarnagar malt plant, and Radico Khaitan, which had estimated over Rs 250 crore in Scotch requirements for FY26, expects lower input costs to support its premium portfolio; CIABC data shows Indian single malt sales hit about 500,000 nine-litre cases in 2025, up around 22%.
Storyboard18 |
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France's 2026 wine harvest is expected to fall to historic lows after record summer heatwaves, per Wine Industry Advisor.
Wine Industry Advisor |
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A California wine glut is sending premium bottles to Costco, Aldi and Kroger at bargain prices, per Wine Industry Advisor.
Wine Industry Advisor |
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Pernod Ricard India has started converting from a private to a public limited company, a prerequisite for listing in India, though management says IPO talks remain exploratory with no timeline set. The parent reported 7% revenue growth in fiscal 2026, and Indian spirits consumption reached 440 million cases in the recent fiscal period.
whalesbook |
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More than 100 Unite members at Diageo's Cameronbridge grain distillery in Scotland are escalating strike action that began September 28, adding walkout dates of October 12, 15, 19 and 22 after management reiterated plans to cut roles. Diageo says it is proposing to remove up to 10 roles at the site as it maintains reduced production volumes, while Unite is fighting dozens of roles under review there as part of wider restructuring; Diageo Scotland posted an after-tax profit of £595 million in 2025, down from £736 million in 2024.
Food Manufacture |
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South Korea's whisky imports hit 12,205 metric tons from January through August, down 22.1 percent year over year and 45.9 percent from the January–August 2023 peak, per Korea Customs Service data. Earnings split among importers: Pernod Ricard Korea grew sales 2.9 percent to 124.2 billion won ($92.7 million) after cutting ex-factory prices on some Ballantine's and Glenlivet expressions by up to 13 percent, while Diageo Korea's sales fell 4.3 percent and William Grant & Sons Korea's dropped 5.3 percent.
Herald Business |
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The 2026 wine grape harvest is winding down with yields off about 30% versus 2025, though quality is described as excellent. Growers had feared crop levels could fall by as much as 50%.
Wine Industry Advisor |
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More than 400 workers at Molson Coors' Shenandoah Valley facility in Elkton, Virginia have voted to join Teamsters Local 29, covering packaging, warehouse, brewing, interplant distribution, utilities, and maintenance staff. The Teamsters said the workers organized despite a union-busting campaign by the company and will now prepare to negotiate a first contract.
Augusta Free Press |
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Carlsberg Group will handle production, sales and distribution of PepsiCo's beverage portfolio in Georgia and Armenia, buying current bottlers Iberia Refreshments in Georgia and JI Pepsi Cola Bottler Armenia from Revery. Both deals are signed, with the Armenia sale still pending regulatory approval; the expansion brings Carlsberg's PepsiCo partnership to 17 markets.
European Supermarket Magazine |
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Heineken Beverages (HeinBev), formed in April 2023 when Heineken took control of South African liquor group Distell and Namibia Breweries, is showing improved performance, to the benefit of significant shareholder Remgro. The enlarged business was pitched as a challenger to AB InBev, which includes the former South African Breweries, in South Africa and other African markets.
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NIQ's Global Bartender Report, powered by BarSights and based on 1,732 hospitality professionals worldwide, found premium and independent bars outperforming the broader on-premise channel when they pair quality with value, even as on-premise penetration slipped to 82% and weekly visitation fell to 59%, each down one point year on year. The report says 77% of bartenders cite the experience as a reason guests pay more, and that specific spirits brands feature in 24% of bartender recommendations against 36% for cocktails.
Drinks Intel |
