The academy, which has just added two new short courses to its training programme, will continue as a distinct section within the IBD. It will focus on developing beer education and appreciation for workers in the brewing, retailing and hospitality sectors, and promoting beer to consumers and the media. IBD director Simon Jackson is to join the Beer Academy’s board to help the organisation move…

A spokesman said the end of the £1 million-plus sponsorship – which includes credits around films on Channel Four , FilmFour and the broadcaster’s online film show, Movierush – does not mean the brand is giving up its alliance with film. “It is important that a brand like Stella Artois remains at the cutting edge of marketing activity and doesn’t stand still. “Our Channel Four…

Marketing Week reported the brewer is to spend £25 million launching the beer in the UK and other European markets. Fayrouz is already an established brand in Egypt, and is halal-compliant because its production process does not include alcohol fermentation, as in some other low and non-alcoholic beers, such as Kaliber. A Heineken spokesman told OLN: “There are no plans to launch Fayrouz in the…

Bock is a dark lager first brewed in Munich, and the beers were traditionally brewed to commemorate special occasions. Cains’ Double Bock is made with Munich malt and Saaz and Hallertau hops, and comes in 50cl bottles. Joint managing director Ajmail Dusanj said: “As bock takes longer to mature than most lagers its arrival was often timed to commemorate something special. We thought it would…

s Two regional campaigns will make their debut at the annual New Zealand trade tasting – Central Otago Pinot Noir and Gimblett Gravels, from Hawkes Bay. Central Otago is New Zealand’s highest winegrowing region and the closest it comes to a continental climate, and COPN hopes to take the UK by storm with its spicy, cherry-scented Pinot Noirs. The organisation is hosting many wineries and…

Arthur O’Connor fills a newly-created position as head of winemaking, responsible for innovation, development and research across the group. O’Connor, who has experience working in wineries in California and Australia, said: “I’m passionate about making wines which express their regionality and have a generosity of flavour.” Jordi Ratera steps into the role of technical director, succeeding Juan José de Castro, who held the position for…

T he judges, including Oz Clarke and Jancis Robinson MW, will blind taste 480 Argentinian wines during the three-day competition at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Mendoza, Argentina. It is hoped the awards, which start on Feb 19, will have a double purpose, both raising awareness of Argentinian wines and educating winemakers about the UK market. Wines of Argentina UK director James Forbes said: “In…