On 28 September 2016, the shareholders of South African born international brewer, SABMiller, approved the company’s acquisition by Anheuser-Busch InBev for $104-billion (R1.5-trillion). The deal paved the way for the creation of what is now by far the world’s largest brewing company.
June 10 is World Gin Day – an excuse (as if one were needed in light of its current popularity) to indulge in a beverage whose history is more fraught than most other alcoholic drinks.
Starbucks founder Howard Schultz recently presented a stirring commencement speach at Arizona State University. Raised in poverty and driven by a higher purpose to create his massive multinational which now employs 300 000 people, Schultz told the story of his South African Ubuntu discovery, encouraging the graduates of the US’s biggest university to apply its lesson in their own lives.
A state-of-the-art high-pressure processing/pasteurisation ‘tollgate’ has opened in Midrand. What’s all the excitement about? HPP technology, long and slow to take off, has become a game-changer for the food and beverage industry and is gaining rapid momentum worldwide.
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red espresso, the innovators behind South Africa’s popular rooibos red cappuccino, have added a new item to the premium gourmet beverage market with the launch of instant red cappuccino.
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A professiosnal three-day symposium, Food Forum 2017, offers delegates the opportunity to learn and gain CPD credits as Africa’s Big 7 expo goes international in Jo'burg this June.
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Distell has added a new variant to its popular Hunter’scider brand, the leading one in Africa, which it has dubbed "an innovative new hybrid category breaker, for those who want to discover something different".
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Distell's 40-year old wine brand, Autumn Harves Crackling, a semi-sweet perlé wine positioned on the lower end of the wine scale, is now available in cans.
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Middle-class consumers who may be trying to drink their woes away are the main growth driver of South Africa's alcoholic drinks market. And craft beer is quickly becoming their tipple of choice.
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Government has so weakened its proposed tax on sugary drinks that it might not be enough to encourage consumers to switch to healthier drinks, say health activists.
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In what is surely a take on the old favourite, brandy and ginger ale, Distell has launched Klipdrift Ngqo, a new ready-to-drink beverage designed to satisfy South Africa’s 'thirst for refreshment and flavour'.
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Heineken South Africa has signed a deal with Stellenbosch-based brewery, Stellenbrau, making it part of the global brewing concern.
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G&T lovers rejoice! The Fitch & Leedes brand, known for its range of authentic mixers, has a new variant, South Africa's first pink tonic.
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Pierre Jourdan Popsicles, the never-been-done-before in South Africa wine popsicles, hit shelves in South Africa in September 2016 and have since garnered upwards of R1-million in sales.
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The US monster SABMiller created by acquiring Millers and then merging it with Molson Coors is now set to attack the former SAB in its home market in alliance with arch-enemy Heineken.
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In an independent report released by the International Wine and Spirit Research (IWSR) end 2016, Distell's wine brand, 4th STREET, has been rated as the top growth brand internationally and positioned 29th overall in the world.
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The Beverage Association of SA (BevSA) has welcomed the Treasury’s revised plans for a tax on sugary drinks. The plans are open for comment until March 31.
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Treasury has watered down its proposed tax on sugary drinks – now at around 11% rather than the proposed 20% – and pure fruit juices are not yet included.
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When Dave Evans, founder of the artisanal bakery chain, Vovo Telo, noticed that a local iced tea brand BOS was outselling Coca-Cola at his stores, his interest was piqued. A look at the success and marketing of BOS, SA's fastest-growing soft drink...