Beverage News Archives

Yesterday's announcement that Burlington, Vermont's Magic Hat Brewing Company plans to acquire Seattle's Pyramid Breweries, Inc. via BNET

“Oregon winegrowers lead the nation in sustainable practices, proving high-quality wine need not come at the expense of the environment”

Jim Bernau, founder of Willamette Valley Vineyards, has been presented the first Founder's Award by the organization Low Input Viticulture & Enology. via Statesman Journal

“It was a compelling offer and after numerous board meetings, we decided that this was the best possible outcome”

In 1999, when William Wrigley Jr. took over the reins of the century-old company that bears his name, he aspired to take Wrigley beyond chewing gum to greater heights. via WFMJ-TV Youngstown

“We want companies to be inspired and take back to their places of work, ideas for making a real difference to the environment whether for direct application or future development.”

United Biscuits, Tate & Lyle and Cadbury Schweppes presented their carbon cutting methods at an industry event focused on developing a greener supply chain. via FoodNavigator

“We were asked on Thursday by letter to supply information to the OFT. That is what we are currently working on.”

By BEN GLAZE and EMILY ANDREWS - More by this author Comments The firms which manufacture some of Britain's leading household brands have been contacted by investigators probing price fixing allegations. via Daily Mail

“Pyramid's big sellers are unfiltered wheat beers; Magic Hat makes interesting and funky ales, including a very good IPA.”

Seattle-based Pyramid Breweries, which has its largest brewing facility in Berkeley, has agreed to merge with Magic Hat Brewing, a rapidly-growing East Coast craft brewer in a deal valued at $25 million-$30 ... via Pleasant Hill Record

“Soprole is an example of Fonterra's strategies of leveraging its cow-to-consumer expertise to build profitable businesses, and also securing new sources of fresh milk around the world”

Dairy giant Fonterra says it has bought the final 42 per cent of Chilean dairy company Soprole for US$201.9 million. via The New Zealand Herald

“The Mars family approached us with a compelling all-cash offer.”

Against all odds, the chewing-gum aisle at the grocery store became a hotbed of creativity in recent years, as companies battled to find new ways to sell an immutable product, often by trying new combinations ... via HendersonvilleNews.com

The CEO of UnitedHealth Group Inc. saw his total pay drop 29 percent last year as he went without any new stock awards, according to a company filing on Monday. via Canadian Business Magazine

“Without this deal, it would have ended up being a down day because of the financials”

Reuters NEW YORK - Stocks ended little changed on Monday after the biggest US takeover deal proposed this year helped offset the comments by influential investor Warren Buffett, one of the deal's backers, that ... via ABS-CBN News

“Despite our pricing efforts, earnings did not meet expectations, and the turnaround process in the U.S. is taking longer than we expected”

There was even less fizz than expected in ailing soft drink maker Cott Corp.'s first-quarter financial results, as revenue and volume fell but costs kept rising. via The Globe and Mail

M&M's maker Mars Inc and Berkshire Hathaway Inc were near a deal to buy Wm Wrigley Jr Co , the largest U.S. chewing gum maker, for over $22 billion, according to media reports early on Monday. via WNED.org

Amy Shea of Brand Keys April 23, 2008 Last year, Coca-Cola laid down more than $4 billion to buy Vitaminwater, a startup that, as Daniel Plainview might say, drank Coke's milkshake. via Technology Marketing

“It's a company that's sort of lost its way”

The billionaire investor known for pushing corporations to make changes to boost their stock price has a new challenge: turning around one of the fast-food industry's more notable names and doing it during a ... via KansasCity.com

“The gold medal this past weekend for Mac's Amber Ale is a great credit to our brewing team and the combined craft beer expertise of MacTarnahan's and Pyramid.”

Media Relations Jane Rauckhorst, 415-519-7176 MacTarnahan's Amber Ale won a gold medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup in the Classic English Style Pale Ale category this past weekend, in addition to taking First ... via PR-inside.com

“For the first time, an Indian brand has got into the list of the largest global brands, although it is number 57 and they have valued it at USD 11.4 billion”

Tata, one of India's biggest group of companies on an acquisition spree has emerged as one of the largest global brands, according to a UK-based independent consultancy firm. via Hindustan Times

Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. , the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Latin America and the second-largest Coca-Cola bottler in the world in terms of sales volume, announces results for the first quarter of ... via Market Wire

“We mean it when we say, 'Go Full Throttle or Go Home,'”

Coca-Cola North America announced Friday its Full Throttle brand will take over sponsorship of the National Hot Rod Association's premier professional drag racing series. via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In Berkeley circa 1971, a weekend matinee at the local movie house cost about a buck. via Los Angeles Times

“They're the industry leader. And they've been making a lot of news.”

Last month, beer reporter James Arndorfer broke a story that Anheuser-Busch Cos. via KansasCity.com

PepsiCo Inc., the world's second-largest soft drink maker, said Thursday a big rise in international revenue helped offset higher commodity costs and boost its first-quarter profit by 5 percent. via PR-inside.com

Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market : NYSE Ford Motor Co. via Forbes

Parent company San Miguel Corporation decides to spin off only 5% of its domestic beer subsidiary, while price sensitivity makes it "highly likely" that the price will be fixed at the bottom of the range. via FinanceAsia

“They ran us off the road onto the shoulder”

Members of an outlaw motorcycle gang forced two law enforcement officers off the road at highway speed April 23, according to Eugene police. via KVAL-TV Eugene

Pictured: Mentos madness as 1,300 students set Diet Coke fountain record Comments It is the kind of experiment which gets even older kids excited about science. via Daily Mail

“Central and Eastern Europe continued to drive our growth, reflecting the significant opportunities in these developing and emerging beverage markets”

This week, PepsiAmericas reports profit success following developments in emerging markets, Adnams launches a green beer in the UK, and InnoBev US forum plans to open its doors. via FoodNavigator

PepsiCo Inc said on Thursday quarterly profit rose 5 percent, as strong international results offset weakness in North America related to the weak economy. via Earth Times

Stocks headed for a lower open Thursday after Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. issued lower-than-expected forecasts, stirring concern about the health of the consumer.

The outlooks underscored a worrisome notion that the economy could show a more prolonged slowdown than some had expected.

Wall Street is awaiting quarterly reports from names like ConocoPhillips, Motorola Inc. and PepsiCo Inc. due early Thursday.

Investors awaiting another onslaught of quarterly numbers are also keeping watch for some of the week's most notable economic figures. Among the data, the Commerce Department is expected to report that sales of new homes fell in March and weigh in with findings on sales of durable goods _ big-ticket items like refrigerators, cars and computers. Read more

“We continue to believe that our operating and brand initiatives, coupled with the outstanding marketplace execution generated by our skilled, dedicated work force, will create increasing levels of growth.”

Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. reported its profit fell nearly 50 percent in the first quarter, hurt by softer than expected volume in North America. via Atlanta Business Chronicle

PepsiCo says its first quarter profit rose 5 percent on a big revenue boost in its international division that helped offset higher commodity costs.

The world's second-largest soft drink maker says net income jumped to $1.15 billion, or 70 cents per share, from $1.10 billion, or 65 cents per share.

Thomson Financial says analysts' profit estimates matched the results.

Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc. says revenue climbed 13 percent to $8.33 billion from $7.35 billion. Analysts predicted revenue of $7.97 billion. Read more

April 22, 2008 By Kenneth Hein Dave Burwick has returned to U.S. soil to oversee PepsiCo's global sales, marketing and product development efforts, per a Pepsi rep. via Brandweek

“This is a good move for Cadbury Adams both ethically and financially”

US confectionery firm Cadbury Adams yesterday pledged to stop advertising Bubblicious Gum to children under 12, the last product in its portfolio to come under a nationwide initiative. via NutraIngredients-USA

“PBG's results evidence the challenging U.S. operating environment, but performance in the quarter was perhaps not as bad as some had feared”

NEW YORKPepsi Bottling Group Inc. said Wednesday quarterly profit fell three per cent because of one-time charges, but the results topped Wall Street estimates, sending shares higher. via The Toronto Star

The brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. says its profit slipped 1.3 percent in the first quarter as rising ingredient costs offset rising revenue. via MyFox St. Louis

Steve Reinemund, the former chief executive of PepsiCo Inc. and former head of Plano-based Frito-Lay Inc., will be the new dean of the two business schools at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. Mr. via The Dallas Morning News

This week, Nestle could be set to team up with Japan-based Suntory to distribute green tea drinks in the US and Coca-Cola kicks off production at a new bottling line in Hungary. via NutraIngredients-USA

“It's not surprising, but it means that these jurisdictions should take this data and think about how they approach public education campaigns and enforcement campaigns”

Wisconsin drivers apparently aren't heeding the message of one of America's biggest brewers, located in their own backyard. via Ann Arbor News

- The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics already have an official diamond, an official bakery and even an official job-search website - and now there's an Olympic beer.

The Olympic organizing committee, known as VANOC, has announced that Molson will be the official beer supplier for the Games in a deal worth between $3 million and $15 million.

VANOC CEO John Furlong says the committee is interested in finding as many sponsors as possible, adding that "if you can dream it up" there could be an official Olympic version of it. Read more

“Ironically, due to Brick's success in growing its business, it no longer benefits from the Ontario small brewer tax reduction”

- Brick Brewing Co. Ltd. (TSX: BRB) has reported a full-year loss of $2.6 million, as net revenue declined to $30.3 million from $34.8 million and the independent brewer suffered a heavy tax increase.

Brick said Tuesday the net loss its fourth quarter ended Jan. 31 was $1.1 million, compared with a year-ago loss of $1 million, as revenue net of production taxes and distribution fees slumped 17 per cent to $6.3 million from $7.5 million, on a 14 per cent decline in volumes.

The year's $2.6-million loss, 12 cents per share, compared with prior-year earnings of $127,000, one cent per share, largely because of increased production taxes. Read more

“People are looking at (earnings) outlooks. They are worried about the economy. I think you need to see outlooks pick up, and that will help the market come back”

Stocks fell on Tuesday, after disappointing outlooks from microchip maker Texas Instruments Inc and health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc heightened concerns about the health of the economy. via Earth Times

“These financial results are not acceptable for a company with our capabilities and potential”

UnitedHealth said Tuesday that diminishing investment income and declining membership cut first-quarter profits to "unacceptable" levels, and the insurer slashed its full-year profit outlook. via StarTribune

“If she delivers this speech, she will lose.”

By the time Hillary Clinton's campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle finally packed up her lovely corner office with its fresh blue carpet and mini-fridge full of Diet Coke, her exit must have come as a ... via National Post

Soft drink bottler Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. has tapped Pamela O. Kimmet as the company's senior vice president of human resources. via Atlanta Business Chronicle

The Pepsi Bottling Group today announced that it will webcast its first quarter 2008 earnings conference call with financial analysts and investors on Wednesday, April 23 at 11:00 a.m. EDT. via Business Wire

Back in 1998, I bought 1,000 shares of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters for about $4 per share. via TulsaWorld.com - Business

“We've got our customers, and that's it”

Every bottle of Twig's soda sold puts a little more money into Dan Hartwig's pocket. via Green Bay Press-Gazette

“Looking into the second half of the year, we are confident that we that we have the right strategies in place”

April 16, 2008 By Todd Wasserman Coca-Cola executives today told analysts that although the market in the U.S. continues to be slow, they felt they had a winning formula for the rest of the year. via Technology Marketing

Last year, local liquor giant Bacardi threw its hat into the music-event ring with the first edition of B-Live , an all-day, rum-fueled shebang at Bayfront Park's ampitheater. via Miami New Times

Senomyx Inc., which develops ingredients and additives for the food and beverage industry, said Friday it has signed a two-year contract extension with Coca-Cola Co. via Fulton County Daily Report

Colorado's New Belgium Brewing Company plans to offer its flagship Fat Tire Amber Ale this summer from something other than the tap or glass bottles: aluminum cans. via KRDO-TV Colorado Springs

“It is a good program. It does let you get free tickets.”

It's practically a sport in Detroit to complain about Northwest Airlines. But compared with Northwest, what's the customer experience on Delta, which will become Detroit's main air carrier if the merger between ... via Detroit Free Press

“The fact is, it is precedent that presidential candidates release their returns. When you don't, it looks like you've got something to hide.”

Republican presidential candidate John McCain released his two most recent tax returns Friday, but they don't provide a full picture of his wealth because they don't include his wife's income. via Sacramento Bee

“If you look at some of the companies that had good quarters, they're doing half or more business abroad”

The dollar's plunge might be preventing Americans from taking that European vacation this summer, but it could be the very thing saving their 401 s from buckling. via Canadian Business Magazine

Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE Wells Fargo & Co., up $1.20 at $29.01 The country's fifth largest bank posted an 11 ... via The Post-Standard

“In comparison to other what you might call luxury goods, that's a pretty good deal.”

Dan Kopman is chief operating officer for a microbrewery with an intensely local focus. via KMOV-TV Saint Louis

“The trick is not whether or not you come out with a new bottle and they sell out, but rather now that people have bought them what they will do.”

April 16, 2008 By Eric Newman Beverage heavyweights Coca-Cola and Starbucks are reaching back into the memory banks to drive some consumer engagement with the introduction of limited-time-only, vintage designs ... via Brandweek

Oil prices continued surging to new highs Wednesday, topping US$114 a barrel, setting up another strong day for the Canadian dollar and oil and gas stocks. via The Toronto Star

“I remain optimistic about the progress we are making and committed to continued improvement in the execution of our strategies”

This week, Coca-Cola and SABMiller expect further profit ahead after recording sales improvements, while Cadbury Schweppes moves nearer to its beverage-arm demerger. via FoodNavigator

“Staying the course on strategy does not mean that no important adjustments need to be made.”

- The new interim chief executive of Cott Corp. (TSX:BCB) says he will focus on bottled water, new products and cost reductions to turn around the troubled company and "restore credibility."

Director David Gibbons, who replaced Brent Willis on March 24, said he is committed to the company's strategy of trying to strengthen the carbonated soft-drink business and working with suppliers to reduce costs in the face of soaring commodity prices.

"We're making progress but we still do have a long way to go," Gibbons said at the company's annual meeting. Read more

San Miguel Brewery yesterday kicked off the international roadshow for its initial public offering, which may raise between $148 million and $410 million. via BusinessWeek

Shares of telecom equipment companies climbed Wednesday morning as solid a first-quarter report and outlook from chip maker Intel Corp. via Forbes

“The fact that their foreign brands and premium portfolio is growing is, I think, a reflection of their commitment to establishing themselves as more of a premium option, which I think they really need to do”

Miller Brewing Co.'s sales volume rose 3.1 percent in the past fiscal year, and the company's parent says it's wooing more drinkers to try its pricier brews. via Green Bay Press-Gazette

“They have helped out the market and are a real driver.”

Wall Street rallied Wednesday after better-than-expected quarterly results from JPMorgan Chase and two other Dow Jones industrials raised investors' hopes that companies and the economy are indeed recovering from the protracted global credit crisis. The Dow rose more than 250 points as investors shrugged off any concerns about oil passing $115 a barrel for the first time.

A market anxious about corporate earnings and their effect on the economy was relieved after JPMorgan Chase & Co., Coca-Cola Co. and Intel Corp. all topped first-quarter projections. The three companies are among dozens posting quarterly results Wednesday. Read more

“We have begun 2008 successfully, with another solid quarter consistent with our overriding objective of creating long-term sustainable growth”

The Coca-Cola Co. said Wednesday acquisitions, growth in its key carbonated beverage brands and success overseas helped boost its first-quarter profit by 19 percent on a 21 percent increase in sales. The results beat Wall Street expectations, and its shares rose more than 2 percent in premarket trading.

The world's biggest beverage company said its profit was $1.50 billion, or 64 cents a share, in the three-month period ending March 28. That compared to a profit of $1.26 billion, or 54 cents a share, a year earlier. Read more

“When you see a tech bellwether, a consumer products bellwether and a big financial all clocking in with good numbers, it makes you a bit of a believer”

By Jennifer Coogan Reuters Wednesday, April 16, 2008; 10:16 AM NEW YORK - Stocks rose on Wednesday after Intel Corp , JPMorgan Chase & Co and other blue chips posted quarterly results that reassured investors ... via Washington Post

“In recovering input costs, we would expect price rises to hurt volumes as the year develops”

Price increases and favorable currency shifts helped SABMiller PLC offset the impact of higher costs and slowing volume growth in the past fiscal year, the maker of Miller Lite and Pilsner Urquell beer said ... via Fort Worth Star-Telegram

“Because inflation (in China) has been running at reasonably high rates, the brewers have all decided to take price (increases) in order to recover inflation and input costs”

Global brewer SABMiller said annual results would be at the upper end of its expectations as price increases and favourable currency moves offset higher costs and slowing volume growth. via Reuters UK

The Missouri Supreme Court has rejected class-action certification for a lawsuit claiming consumers were mislead about the sweeteners used in some Diet Coke products. via The Macon Telegraph

American Airlines pilots plan two demonstrations in St. Louis Tuesday as part of a nationwide effort to draw attention to the airline's safety practices. via CW11 St. Louis KPLR-TV News

Coca-Cola Co. , the world's largest soft-drink maker, may say first-quarter profit rose on increased sales of juices in Latin America and Russia and no- calorie Coca-Cola Zero in Japan. via Bloomberg Business News

Posted by Allan Brettman, The Oregonian April 14, 2008 16:07PM Papa Murphy's International, the take-and-bake pizza chain based in Vancouver, is expected to announce Tuesday that Ann Stone has been hired as ... via OregonLive.com

“Tell your papa that we won't rest until we see [the union leaders] quartered in pieces.”

By John Sweeney Last Sept. 27, 16-year-old Andres Damian Florez Rodriguez was on his way home from school when he was forced into a van by three armed men. via The Washington Post

The Johnson City Senior Citizens Center is sponsoring two out-of-state trips: * On May 16 to the Winterthur Estate, home of the DuPonts, and Longwood Gardens. via Press & Sun-Bulletin

Anheuser-Busch is going "extreme." The nation's largest brewer is taking a cue from craft brewers and is creating an extreme beer of its own. via WUSA9

“We are delighted that the FSA has put its duty to the consumer first in their decision to recommend an EU ban. We will be keeping a close eye on industry to see what the effect of the voluntary ban has.”