Beverage
Beer Companies, DOJ in Resolution Talks
February 21, 2013 12:14 pm | News | CommentsThe U.S. Department of Justice is talking with beer makers Anheuser-Busch InBev and Grupo Modelo about potentially resolving a legal challenge to their $20.1 billion deal. The beer companies and the government are asking the court for a stay of all litigation proceedings until March 19. There is no guarantee a resolution will be found.
La. Brewery Expanding Operations
February 21, 2013 9:37 am | News | CommentsWhat started years ago as a love of brewing beer and sharing it with friends and family has blossomed into a profitable multistate beer business for a family in St. Martin Parish. The Knott brothers of Arnaudville, Karlos, Byron and Dorsey, and their families on Monday officially welcomed visitors to Bayou Teche Brewing's new facility.
Smucker Cuts Coffee Prices
February 20, 2013 9:36 am | News | CommentsJ.M. Smucker Co. is lowering the price for most of its packaged coffee products sold in the U.S. an average of 6 percent, as the price of unroasted coffee beans continues to drop. The food producer said Tuesday that the reduced prices are mostly for items sold under the Folgers and Dunkin' Donuts brands.
Maker’s Mark to Restore Alcohol Content of Whiskey
February 19, 2013 12:21 pm | by BRETT BARROUQUERE,Associated Press | News | CommentsAfter backlash from customers, the producer of Maker's Mark bourbon is reversing a decision to cut the amount of alcohol in bottles of its famous whiskey. Rob Samuels, Maker's Mark's chief operating officer, said Sunday that it is restoring the alcohol volume of its product to its historic level of 45 percent, or 90 proof. Last week, it said it was lowering the amount to 42 percent, or 84 proof, because of a supply shortage.
Bar Drinks to Charity
February 15, 2013 10:30 am | by JUAN A. LOZANO,Associated Press | News | CommentsCall it benevolence through beer, donating via daiquiri or generosity by gin and tonic. A new Houston bar is offering its customers not just a relaxed atmosphere with good drinks and food, but a pledge that 100 percent of its profits will be donated to a different local charity or social cause each month.
Photo of the Day: Cheers to Charity
February 15, 2013 10:22 am | News | CommentsIn this Jan. 16, 2013 photo, Mike Criss, manager of the Original OKRA Charity Saloon, mixes a drink at the bar in Houston. The new downtown bar is offering its customers a relaxed atmosphere with good drinks and food and a pledge that 100 percent of its profits after costs will be donated to a different local charity or social cause each month.
Molson Coors 4Q Profit Falls 65 Percent
February 15, 2013 10:03 am | News | CommentsMolson Coors Brewing Co. said Thursday its fourth-quarter net income dropped 65 percent, hurt by a higher tax rate and tough comparisons to an exceptionally strong year-ago period. For the quarter ended Dec. 29, Molson Coors earned $60 million, or 33 cents per share, down from $173.2 million, or 95 cents per share, in the same quarter the year before.
PepsiCo 4Q Tops Street Expectations
February 15, 2013 9:58 am | News | CommentsPepsiCo's net income rose 17 percent in the fourth quarter as it raised prices and sold more of its snacks and drinks around the world. The company's earnings and revenue beat analysts' estimates. It also provided an annual earnings outlook in line with Wall Street expectations and raised its quarterly dividend by 5.6 percent.
Dr Pepper Snapple 4Q Boosted by Higher Prices
February 15, 2013 9:39 am | News | CommentsDr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter net income edged up 2 percent, bolstered by higher prices. But its performance missed Wall Street's expectations, and its 2013 earnings forecast fell short of analysts' estimates. The soft drink company's stock dropped more than 5 percent in morning trading.
Death by Soda?
February 14, 2013 4:31 pm | Videos | CommentsA coroner in New Zealand has named excessive consumption of Coca-Cola as a "substantial factor" contributing to the heart attack that killed 31-year-old Natasha Harris. The country's food and beverage industry association says it will not consider placing warning labels on soda containers.
Corona-Bud Revise Deal to Appease Regulators
February 14, 2013 12:38 pm | News | CommentsAnheuser-Bush InBev changed the terms of its proposed $20.1 billion acquisition of Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo Thursday in an attempt to push through a deal that federal regulators say will kill competition. AB InBev is willing to sell Modelo's Piedras Negras brewery and give perpetual rights for Corona and the Modelo brands in the U.S. to Constellation for $2.9 billion, the company said Thursday.
Monster Changes Label to Qualify as Drink
February 14, 2013 12:31 pm | by CANDICE CHOI,AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsMonster Beverage Corp. is changing the labeling on its cans so that its energy drinks will no longer be considered dietary supplements, a move that changes the federal guidelines the drinks must follow. Monster's CEO told the industry tracker Beverage Digest that the cans will now list "Nutrition Facts" rather than "Supplement Facts," as well as disclosing caffeine content.
Hawaii Lawmakers Consider Taxing Sugary Drinks
February 14, 2013 9:46 am | by ANITA HOFSCHNEIDER,Associated Press | News | CommentsThe state Senate judiciary committee has pushed forward a proposal to add a fee to sugary beverages in Hawaii. The judiciary committee's vote Tuesday came just a day after the Senate health committee approved the same bill. Gov. Neil Abercrombie says the fee is an important way to fight obesity.
Daily Sound Bite: Maker's Mark to Make Less-Boozy Booze
February 13, 2013 12:56 pm | News | CommentsDemand for bourbon with the iconic melted wax seal has soared, more than doubling in the last seven years. The brand has already cut back on overseas shipments and adjusted its distribution model, but now it's running into ingredients shortages. The solution? Water it down.
Gov’t Requires Four Loko to Change Packaging
February 13, 2013 12:40 pm | by JENNIFER C. KERR,Associated Press | News | CommentsThe makers of a popular carbonated alcoholic drink guzzled on college campuses are going to be changing the look of its Four Loko cans to settle the government's charges of deceptive marketing. The Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday that Chicago-based Phusion Projects will be required to put an "alcohol facts panel" on the back of flavored malt beverage cans containing more than two servings of alcohol.
Coroner Wants Health Warnings on Soft Drinks
February 13, 2013 12:38 pm | by NICK PERRY,Associated Press | News | CommentsA New Zealand food industry association on Wednesday rejected a coroner's call to add health warnings to soft-drink labels following the 2010 death of a woman who drank about 2 gallons of Coca-Cola a day. Coroner David Crerar issued a final report Tuesday into the death of 31-year-old Natasha Harris, concluding that the mother of eight died from a heart attack.
Kraft Considers Expanding Illinois Plant
February 13, 2013 9:46 am | News | CommentsKraft Foods is weighing whether to spend $40 million to expand a southwestern Illinois plant if the city and state provide about $400,000 to widen a road in front of the site. The Suburban Journals of Greater St. Louis reports that the move would add 30 jobs to the 660,000-square-foot plant and warehouse. The facilities now have more than 400 workers. The plant produces Capri Sun and Kool-Aid beverages.
Maker’s Mark Cutting Alcohol Content
February 13, 2013 9:40 am | by BRUCE SCHREINER,Associated Press | News | CommentsThe producer of Maker's Mark bourbon is cutting — likely permanently — the amount of alcohol in each bottle to stretch every drop of the famous Kentucky whiskey. The alcohol volume is being lowered from its historic level of 45 percent to 42 percent — or 90 proof to 84 proof.
Coca-Cola’s Profit Rises on Growth Overseas
February 12, 2013 12:33 pm | by CANDICE CHOI,AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsCoca-Cola says its profit rose 13 percent in the fourth quarter as growth in emerging markets offset a decline in Europe and a modest performance in the U.S. The Atlanta-based company said global sales volume rose 3 percent, driven by gains in countries such as Russia and Turkey. Volume in Europe fell by 5 percent.
Consumer Trends: Global Wine Industry Outlook
February 12, 2013 12:00 pm | News | CommentsRabobank has published a new research report on the global wine industry, predicting that sparkling wine will continue to shift downmarket in economies that are struggling, and credits a weak Euro and emerging market growth for supporting suppliers in markets outside of Europe and the U.S.
World-Class Brewery Fears Fracking Will Ruin Product
February 12, 2013 9:36 am | Videos | CommentsIn Cooperstown, NY, the CEO of Brewery Ommegang is proud of what his company brews, and he notes a great deal of the company's success is made possible by good quality water. As fracking in the region continues, he fears the process may harm his most valuable ingredient.
Mountain Dew Introduces Breakfast Drink
February 11, 2013 12:29 pm | by CANDICE CHOI,AP Food Industry Writer | News | CommentsIf you don't like coffee or tea, Mountain Dew has a new breakfast drink that might perk you up. PepsiCo Inc. is rolling out a new drink called Kickstart this month that has Mountain Dew flavor but is made with 5 percent juice and Vitamins B and C, along with an extra jolt of caffeine.
Consumer Trends: Healthy Beverage Trends
February 11, 2013 12:00 pm | News | CommentsWhat's the future of the beverage industry? According to Healthy Beverage Expo, the future is nutritious and functional beverages made from high quality ingredients and pure water, marked by an undeniable accountability for the effects of processing, packaging and distribution.
Guatemala Declares National Coffee Emergency
February 11, 2013 9:47 am | by SONIA PEREZ,Associated Press | News | CommentsGuatemala's president declared a national emergency Friday over the spread of coffee rust, saying the fungus that has hit other Central American countries is affecting 70 percent of this nation's crop. President Otto Molina Perez ordered the release of more than $14 million to aid coffee growers.
Constellation and Crown File Motion in InBev Case
February 11, 2013 9:41 am | News | CommentsConstellation Brands Inc. and Crown Imports filed a motion Friday to ensure that their interests are represented in the government's case against beer maker Anheuser-Busch InBev's proposed acquisition of Grupo Modelo. The Justice Department says the AB InBev and Modelo deal would reduce competition by bringing two of the most popular beer brands — Budweiser and Corona — under one owner.
