BrewDog has become the latest producer to release a larger format in time for the festive season. The brewer said its flagship Punk IPA is now available in a six-litre keg. The keg, which carries an RRP of £41.90, is compatible with the PerfectDraft machine – a home draught dispenser. Manchester brewer Joseph Holt has also released a range of mini-kegs, as it looks to…

Wine and spirits agency Vindependents has created a France-based warehouse and distribution company as it looks to tackle increased shipping times, paperwork and costs associated with Brexit. The French company, called Groupage Europe, works with a French haulier who collects pallets from all over Europe and delivers to Vindependents’ bonded warehouse in South-West France. Vindependents said goods from Europe had been taking “up to six…

Six new grape varieties have been approved in the Bordeaux region. The announcement, by the Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualite (INAO), a division of France’s Ministry of Agriculture, represents the culmination of a decade of research by wine scientists and growers of Bordeaux to address the impact of climate change. The four red and two white approved varieties are well-adapted to alleviate…

A Scottish gin producer has created a full augmented reality (AR) experience within each of its six core range bottles. McQueen Gin, based in Callander, Scotland, has launched what it describes as “the World’s coolest labels”, which come to life to create an immersive gin experience for customers. By scanning the label via the dedicated McQueen Gin app, each bottle showcases “the hidden inner secrets”…

Social gatherings of more than six people will be banned in England from September 14. The steep rise in coronavirus cases in the UK has led to a government announcement making it illegal for groups to meet socially indoors or outdoors, and places such as bars, restaurants and cafes. It will not apply to schools, workplaces or Covid-secure weddings, funerals and organised team sports. There…

The Australian wine sector had a difficult start to 2020 with bushfires followed by the challenges posed by coronavirus, but Majestic Wine is seeing growing evidence that its customers are rallying round to support the nation’s wine producers. In the fourth in this series focusing on Majestic’s 2020 range review, DRN caught up with wine buyer Beth Pearce MW, to find out why she decided…

The UK may have spent the whole of April 2020 in lockdown but the spectacular weather throughout the month, alongside early signs of interest in Majestic Wine’s revamped wine ranges, helped drive sales of the retailer’s rosé wines. Rosé is one of the five key categories Majestic decided to concentrate on for its range review in 2020 and the retailer expects sales to increase further…