The Drinks Association’s James Phillips provides expert insights from research solutions from CGA and NIQ in the on- and off-premise and online. Some occasions are shifting to home The latest data indicates that some consumers are switching occasions from pubs and bars to off-premise channels. This is a partly a result of rising costs, with NIQ’s Consumer Outlook Survey finding that half (51%) of consumers fitted the ‘cautious’ segment of people who are not severely affected financially, but who are watching their spending closely, while another 19% are ‘strugglers’ who experience financial in ..read more

A recent ‘Burden of Proof’ study – summarising and evaluating the evidence on alcohol consumption’s effects on coronary artery disease (ischemic heart disease) – has been published in the journal Nature Communications. The study has found that there is a reduced heart disease risk with low to moderate drinking. This study pooled estimates of 122 observational studies published between 1970 and January 2021, and found a J-shaped relationship which shows that consumption of up to about 50g a day is associated with lower risk of coronary artery disease morbidity and mortality, and heart attack de ..read more

The 2024 New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 30 winners have been announced. The Supreme Winner title – ranked the overall winner – went to Desperate Glory – Oud Bruin from 8 Wired in Warkworth. The Belgian Amber Ale took nearly three years to make from brew day to podium and sets the flavour bar high. “This is a traditional ale – think dates, brown sugar and sweet spice, that was aged in bourbon barrels and then blended with Chinese Keemun tea, adding vanilla, cherry, light floral and cocoa characters in as well,” says Chair of Judges, Michael Donaldson. Champion Cider went to Nelson’s Pec ..read more

Yeastie Boys founder Stu McKinlay has announced that he will be stepping away from the business. McKinlay, who has been based in England for a few years, will remain a major shareholder and non-executive director. “I’m leaving the day-to-day running of Yeastie Boys, soon,” McKinlay posted on social media. “I’ll be sticking around as a significant shareholder and non-executive director … I’ll reflect on the last decade when the time is right but for those of you who worked with me in my past life as a business, systems, and data analyst… I’ll be looking for some work in that space. “Give me a s ..read more

The Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) were held on May 17th in Melbourne, with 26 Kiwi brews awarded a Gold Medal. The event is the world’s largest beer competition, with 3,000 entries from 400 exhibitors across 21 countries. Garage Project Brewery picked up 15 AIBA awards, including Champion Large International Brewery, and Champion International Beer for its Chance, Luck & Magic 2021. Chance, Luck & Magic also won a trophy in the Belgian & French Ale category and Garage Project’s other Gold Medal-winning beers include Pernicious Weed, Pickle Beer and White Mischief. “W ..read more

World Whisky Day is an annual, global day of whisky, which invites everyone to try a dram on the third Saturday in May. The international event is a toast to the rich history, diverse flavours, and global impact of whisky and for the on-premise, embracing World Whisky Day is an opportunity to engage your customers and showcase your whisky selection. Here’s how to leverage World Whisky Day in your on-premise: Showcase diversity World Whisky Day celebrates the global diversity of whisky, from Scotch in Scotland to bourbon in the United States, and everything in between. Use this occasion to high ..read more

WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) has announced that a record number of graduates have achieved their WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines, including one from New Zealand. WSET held its annual graduation ceremony and prize reception last week at the Guildhall in London where 695 new graduates were honoured – the highest number since WSET’s first cohort of diploma graduates in 1969. Graduates from 20 countries worldwide, who studied with 36 different WSET course providers, took part in the hybrid ceremony, which was hosted by WSET’s CEO, Michelle Brampton. “Successfully completing this demandin ..read more

The wine industry is building up to the Young Viticulturist of the Year competition season. Now in its 19th year, this programme helps grow New Zealand’s future viticultural leaders with many previous contestant now holding senior titles in the wine industry. “This competition gave me a great platform to grow my own career and I’m keen to help many more Young Viticulturists flourish and progress their careers in an industry I’m passionate about,” says Matt Fox, newly appointed Chair of the NZ Young Viticulturist National Committee. Fox was the 2013 national winner and is now the Viticulturist ..read more

Entries opened this week for the 2024 New Zealand Beer Awards. In its 18th year, the New Zealand Beer Awards – managed by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand – recognises excellence in beer, as well as other accolades across New Zealand’s brewing industry. The competition is open to commercial brewers of all production sizes in New Zealand, and the Champion International Brewery Trophy is open to entries from commercial brewers outside of New Zealand. Entrants compete for champion brewery trophies, industry awards, beer style trophies and the top awards of Champion New Zealand Brewing Company and ..read more

May 13 is World Cocktail Day and it’s the perfect opportunity to use this much-loved drink to get patrons through your venue’s doors. For more on the day’s history, click here. And here are some creative cocktail recipes to serve in your venue this Friday from Mike Egan, co-owner of Monsoon Poon in Wellington… Calcutta Crush 45ml Tequila 20ml Limoncello 30ml lime juice 30ml grapefruit juice 10ml yuzu 15ml chopping board nectar 1 dash of salt 1 dash of orange bitters Garnish: sprig of mint and lemon wheels Add all the ingredients into Boston shaker, fill with ice and shake. Strain over fresh ..read more