2008 November

Famous Grouse producer Edrington has won the UK distribution rights to Stolichnaya vodka.

Brothers Drinks will be running an outdoor advertising campaign in the lead up to Christmas.

Leicester Londis owner Raj Aggarwal has been named My Shop is Your Shop retailer of the year at the Federation of Wholesale Distributors' annual dinner.

The Co-op has introduced four new port products into its own-brand range in time for Christmas.

Chancellor Alistair Darling has cut the duty hike on spirits he announced on Monday from 8% to 4% in response to lobbying from the Scotch whisky industry.

Retailers could see a major cut in the fees they have to pay for playing background music after a landmark legal victory in the High Court.

A Tiger beer ad featuring a ladyboy has been banned after readers of the London free papers it appeared in complained that it was offensive.

Palatium, the German wine brand created by ZGM, is hoping for a sales boost as a result of its link with the TV show Gordon Ramsay’s Cookalong.

Kent is following in the footsteps of St Neots in Cambridgeshire with the launch of a new Community Alcohol Partnership designed to tackle under-age drinking.

Alcohol tax is to be hiked by a massive 8% from next Monday (Dec 1), Chancellor Alistair Darling has revealed in his pre-Budget report.

Cobra Beer has confirmed that it is investigating a sale of the business as an option for new investment.

Rémy Martin has launched its first ever radio ad campaign in a festive push.

Coors hopes independents will be able to claim a slice of the Christmas action on Carling with a new price-marked multipack.

Cross-Channel imports of alcohol and cigarettes are expected to be severely curtailed following a ruling by the European Parliament.

Belgium-based brewer Inbev has finalised its $52bn (£35bn) takeover of the US's Anheuser-Busch to create the world's largest brewer.

Harpers has been acquired by Off Licence News publisher William Reed Business Media (WRBM).

Chris Sorek has been appointed as chief executive of the Drinkaware Trust, the independent body that provides information on responsible drinking.

Thresher Group is offering consumers 40% off in an online voucher they can redeem in shops.

Pernod Ricard UK is to host a series of consumer film events to support Jameson Irish whiskey.

Three Barrels is attempting to simplify the language of brandy in its Christmas marketing push.

Cobra Beer has teamed up with Thresher in a Facebook promotion that gives users of the social networking site the chance to buy Cobra vouchers for their friends.

Blackpool is considering a new policy which will effectively ban any new off-licences in four parts of the Lancashire resort.

Glenfiddich is being backed by a £1 million marketing blitz this Christmas.

Reh Kendermann is giving Black Tower customers the chance to win a holiday in Tenerife or one of 500 DVD goody bags in a festive neck collar promotion.

Glenfiddich is being backed by a £1 million marketing blitz this Christmas.

Heineken has launched an online and mobile phone responsible drinking campaign called Know The Signs – the first of its kind in the drinks market, according to the brand.

A rising star in the microbrewing world has called for the Portman Group to be scrapped, alleging that it is holding back smaller brewers.

Bruichladdich distillery is rolling out five new whisky releases this festive season.

Heavyweight marketing campaigns for First Drinks Brands' two best selling liqueur brands get under way this month.

If it's all about the credit crunch this Christmas, celebrations could be muted. But Natasha Hughes has some suggestions that will help put the sparkle back into

the festive season for bubbly lover