Glass bottles will not be included in the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for England and Northern Ireland, the government has said. As part of DEFRA’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging consultation summary, the department said some responses raised concerns over glass, in particular the way glass is collected in reverse vending machines, “possibly being crushed and mixed, ultimately resulting in poorer quality glass than…

Mark Anthony Brands International has today announced the first global marketing campaign for its White Claw Hard Seltzer brand, beginning in April 2021. The global “Let’s White Claw” campaign follows a “hugely successful 2020” with launches in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, The Netherlands and Australia and ongoing success in the US. Ireland-based Mark Anthony Brands International developed the White Claw Hard Seltzer brand for launch…

Lidl has announced it is building its first pub, which will also include an in-store off-licence.  The venue will sit alongside the discount supermarket’s Dundonald store, outside Belfast in Northern Ireland.  The pub, which will have a different entrance from the supermarket, will include seating and a bar area and separate toilets. It will also have an off-licence section, where…

Barefoot has launched its most popular white and rose varietals in a can format. Barefoot Pinot Grigio and White Zinfandel are now available in a 25cl slimline can format in Tesco stores. They will be stocked in Morrisons from July 1, priced at £2.50 per can. The launch will be supported by a social media campaign that highlights the benefit of this format. POS material…

Paragon Brands has launched a new distribution partnership for its Dingle Spirits family of brands in the UK. Dingle is among the “new generation” of distilleries in Ireland, having opened its doors in 2012 in southwest Kerry. It became the first privately-owned, purpose-built distillery to open in more than 100 years in Ireland, and it still claims to be one of the only distillers that…

Diageo GB managing director Charles Ireland is leaving the business after a 20-year stay and travel retail boss Dayalan Nayager will replace him. Ireland took over the Smirnoff and Guinness supplier’s UK business in June 2016 following a stint in Africa, and he is now off to “pursue opportunities outside of the business”. Nayager joined Diageo in 2013 as a key accounts manager in Cape…

When We Are Giants has expanded its spirits portfolio with the addition of Knappogue Castle Single Malt Irish Whiskey. The drinks distributor, which was founded in 2009 and is part of the Drinksology Group, is now ready to roll out the Irish whiskey to independent and national wholesalers and online retailers in the UK and Ireland. The three expressions in the Knappogue Castle portfolio include…