In This Article:
Portfolio changes, factory closures, NPD and celebrity investments (and legal spats) were among the topics on Just Drinks’ news pages that caught your eye throughout the year.
But one company’s woes featured prominently in the list of the top 24 most-read news stories on our site in 2024 – and next year could see the business offload the asset that attracted negative headlines to the group.
Scroll down for a flavour of the stories that shaped the drinks-industry agenda over the last 12 months.
Banks’s to be next Carlsberg UK closure
7 October
Carlsberg’s UK venture Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) is planning to shut Banks’s Brewery in the English Midlands next year.
AB InBev to close US distribution site
20 August
Anheuser-Busch InBev has revealed plans to shut a distribution facility belonging to its US arm Anheuser-Busch, in Medford, Massachusetts.
Lionel Messi, Mark Anthony Brands launch “hydration drink” Más+
5 June
Footballer Lionel Messi has launched a non-alcoholic “hydration drink” brand called Más+.
The beverage is described as having a “balanced blend of electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals”. Más+ comes in four flavours: Miami Punch, Orange d’Or, Berry Copa Crush and Limon Lime League.
Vintage Wine Estates files for bankruptcy
24 July
US wine group Vintage Wine Estates has filed for bankruptcy and is to voluntarily delist its common stock after failing to pay off $60.5m in debt.
Brown-Forman drops diversity and inclusion programmes, leaves LGBTQ equity index
23 August
Brown-Forman has scrapped its diversity and inclusion policies and ended its participation in an LGBTQ corporate equality index.
Thailand approves alcohol tax cuts to boost tourism
3 January
Thailand’s cabinet has approved slashing taxes on wine and spirits in a bid to promote tourism.
Nestlé admits to illegally treating bottled water in France
30 January
Nestlé has admitted to breaching regulations in France in the way it treats bottled mineral water against contamination.
Diageo, PepsiCo join forces for Captain Morgan RTD launch
25 September
Diageo and PepsiCo have partnered to launch an alcoholic RTD drink combining Captain Morgan spiced rum and Pepsi Max.
Treasury Wine Estates to offload commercial portfolio
6 August
Australian wine group Treasury Wine Estates has revealed plans to divest wines sitting under its commercial portfolio.
Heineken touts Europe potential in 2024 as cost pressure “bubble” bursts
15 February
Dutch beer giant Heineken has touted the potential for growth in Europe this year as cost pressures in the region ease.