Hospitality business advisory firm Quantaco has published its quarterly Hospitality Industry Update for January to March 2024, and it highlights increased weekly sales in food, beverage and gaming, but also inconsistency in trading. The report’s industry performance metrics are based on the median aggregator and not the average, Quantaco says the median is a better midpoint measure for cases where a small number of outliers could drastically skew the average. Quantaco says that total weekly sales increased by one per cent, in comparison to the same quarter last year, while weekly sales in food ..read more

Capi has launched its new website, aiming to benefit both consumers and wholesalers with improved user experience and greater accessibility. Capi worked with graphic designer Thomas Williams and Australian web developer Zann St Pierre on the website. It includes new features such as streamlined navigation, improved access to product information, and an easy directory of Capi product retailers. Capi Marketing Manager, Lucy Deitz, spoke positively about Williams’s and St Pierre’s work. “The collaboration with Thomas Williams and Zann St Pierre has been instrumental in realising our vision for a ..read more

Four Pillars has released its Whisky Barrel Gin in collaboration with Lark Distillery, the first in a series of limited-edition gins aged in whisky barrels. Four Pillars Co-Founder and Distiller Cameron Mackenzie has been experimenting with barrel aged gin since the distillery began in 2013 and has set aside a handful of high quality barrels for future projects. This first release comprises only 2000 bottles and has been five years in the making, beginning with aging Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin in Sherry and Apera barrels. Following conversations with Lark’s Head Distiller Chris Thomson and a lo ..read more

CBCo Brewing is celebrating its 20th year of operation, and The Shout spoke to CEO Lawrence Dowd about the quality beer and conscious business planning that has been key to the brewery’s success. CBCo Brewing started in 2004 as a microbrewery in Margaret River, of which Dowd was a small investor from the beginning. In 2008, the original owners came up against some economic difficulties, at which time Dowd took financial control of the brewery. “Starting as a microbrewery, we’ve seen it all. In the beginning, if we sold 10 kegs in a week, we thought it was great. Eventually, you ..read more

James Boag Brewery is thrilled to announce that St George 3.5 will be rolling out in bottle shops across Tasmania, following its successful launch in the on-premise. St George 3.5 was initially introduced at select Tasmanian venues in the summer months, and the growing demand for mid-strength beer means the first new brew from Boag’s since 2018 is now in over 90 venues. John Burchill, Lion’s Tasmanian State Sales Manager, expressed his enthusiasm for the overwhelming positive reception, stating, “We are so pleased to see the release of St George 3.5 resonate with so many Tasmanians. “Lion is p ..read more

The Victorian Government has outlined new legislation which will enhance the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission’s (VGCCC) powers to keep Crown Melbourne accountable and responsible. Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne announced the new legislation in the wake of the VGCCC’s recent decision that Crown is suitable to hold the Melbourne Casino Licence. In announcing its decision, the VGCCC indicated Crown will have to follow its Melbourne Transformation Plan, which includes more than 100 actions focused on integrity, reducing gambling harm and improving c ..read more

On International Women’s Day every year, the voices and stories of women across the world are celebrated, as we address the issues that cause gender inequality and diversity. But despite these issues remaining, such voices and stories take a backseat once the day is done. We think it’s worth doing the opposite and actively challenging the issues that create these gaps in our industry. So, we’ve launched this weekly series, Wednesday Women, where we’ll profile the stories of the inspiring women in this great and wide industry. Today we speak with Emma Cookson, The Whisky List’s Whisky Spec ..read more

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has invested in the installation of a $1m canopy at its Penfolds Koonunga Hill vineyard in the Barossa Valley as a means of protecting its luxury grapes from the impact of the changing climate. The new enclosed nylon vineyard canopy protects the 14-hectare planting of luxury grapes, which was first planted in 2008 and produces Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for some of Penfold’s best-known wines including Grange, Bin 707, St Henri Shiraz, and Red Winemaking Trial Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz. Anthony Catanzariti, TWE’s Director of Wine and Grape Sourcing, spo ..read more

Since its launch in November 2021, independently owned beer brand Better Beer has maintained a rapid growth trajectory, recently hitting $100m in revenue in just 30 months of operation. Speaking about the success of the brand, which is second to Coopers Brewery in branded beer sales volume as an independent operator, Better Beer CEO Nick Cogger says that there were a lot of doubters when the brand first launched. “The common feedback was this would be here today, gone tomorrow, but we knew the brand was strong and almost three years in our store growth rate maintains 20-30 per cent up on PCP ..read more

In celebration of the second year of its partnership with the McLaren Formula 1 Racing Team, Jack Daniel’s has unveiled the McLaren Racing 2024 Limited Edition collector’s bottle featuring a custom label. Exclusive to Australia and select Formula 1 race markets around the world, the new bottle design puts a unique twist on the classic Old No. 7 logo, incorporating McLaren’s iconic papaya orange alongside racing stripes, giving a nod to the new race season. Emily Nget, Brand Manager at Jack Daniel’s Australia, says that the new release gives Jack Daniel’s and McLaren fans another reason to cele ..read more