Molson Coors (UK & Ireland) UK’s biggest brewer is aiming to make Carling a 2 billion pint brand. To this end it has revealed a £7.3m investment package which includes new positioning for the brand “Refreshingly and Brilliantly British” as well as a new product Carling Chrome, which will launch in August. Mark Hunter, Chief Executive, Molson Coors (UK & Ireland) comments, “The industry is under great strain, but if beer can meet consumers’ needs and become more relevant it will help stimulate growth again.”
The launch of Carling Chrome, a new premium lager, ‘is latest innovation in the Carling family. It will be a crisp lager, with an 4.8% ABV. Brewed using a precision brewing process the new beer has a lower level of bitterness and the ideal level of carbonation in order to deliver all the subtle flavours created by the yeast during fermentation, delivering a light and refreshing lager. Chris McDonough, Marketing Director, Molson Coors (UK & Ireland), added, “The Carling rebrand will be delivered according to a five point plan, which will include new communications, a new premium visual identity, innovative new packaging, innovative new products and a long term vision & strategy.”
The rebrand will also see Carling being sold in an engaging, new and differentiated packaging format. Alongside Caffrey’s and Coors Light, Carling will be available in a new aluminium bottle, creating a smooth drinking experience, cold sensation, a stylish look and environmental benefits. The aluminium bottle will be supported as part of a National TV campaign breaking in September.
A Glasgow lap-dancing bar owned by Brightcrew Ltd, has won a landmark legal battle that could see the power of Scotland’s Licensing Boards dramatically eroded.
Two years ago Glasgow City Licensing Board refused a licence to the Spearmint Rhino club in Drury Street, because they said it flouted its ‘no nudity’ policy. Two dancers had apparently stripped naked in front of patrons. The board’s ruling linked the code on nudity to the granting of licences for adult entertainment licences or “premises licences” and that is what was successfully challenged through the courts, by Brightcrew. They argued that the law related only to the sale of alcohol and could not be used to deal with other issues. Now one of Scotland licensing lawyers, Stephen McGowan, a Director of Licensing and Gambling at Lindsays, has said that this ruling could have implications for licensing boards around the country.
He says “The real exposition here is a much wider issue for licensing boards in terms of what matters they can seek to control through their policy; and in what conditions they can attach to a licence, which are not expressly linked to the sale of alcohol.”
He suggests that the case could represent a dramatic erosion of the powers of Scottish licensing boards. Until now, it has been the case that licensing boards have put controls in place for matters other than the sale of alcohol, where those matters occur on a licensed premises, including adult entertainment, but also other activities.
Says McGowan, “If the decision stands, it will require licensing boards to rethink their approach to the licensing objectives entirely; as well as review their policy statements to ensure that their “essential function”, which is the control of the sale of alcohol is given primacy, with no attempts at regulating other matters or activities which, while they may occur on licensed premises, are unconnected to the sale of alcohol”. A spokesman for the licensing board said:“We are considering the terms of the decision”
Belhaven Brewery, one of Scotland’s oldest breweries, has launched an new permanent cask ale Belhaven IPA.
Belhaven’s Head Brewer George Howell says: “Belhaven IPA, our new cask ale is an exciting new development for us. Consumers are buying in to the fresh, natural and crafted nature of cask ale. As cask is one thing drinkers cannot get at home, it gives the pub an excellent way to attract more people down to their local”.
Belhaven IPA is a 3.8% ABV golden ale, brewed using the finest Scottish grown malted barley and hopped using a unique triple blend of hops, which combine to produce its characteristic floral aroma and clean crisp citrus flavour.
Cask ale in Scotland is experiencing a renaissance, outperforming the market, with MAT volume growth of 17%*. Golden ale in particular is attracting a lot of attention from consumers, with MAT volume growth of 19%*.
For more information on ‘Belhaven IPA’ or the rest of the Belhaven range contact your usual Belhaven representative.
Castle Leisure Group (CLG), the Stirling-based pub group owned by brothers Paul and Stephen Smith, has gone under.
The group which was established in 1981 operates venues in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Stirling, Dumbarton and Dunfermline. These include the City and Sportsters units as well as two units the group purchased last year after Dark Star went into administration – The Collective in Dunfermline and The Clipper in Dumbarton. It’s understood that LT Pub Management will continue to operate the group until a buyer can be found.
The demise of the group will be a blow to Heineken UK, who invested some £25m behind the group in 2005.
Brugal, the Caribbean’s number one selling rum, is launching Brugal Blanco Especial (40% ABV), a new class of white rum that has been taking the Caribbean by storm.
In contrast to other white rums on the market, Brugal Blanco Especial is made from golden rum that has been double distilled and then triple filtered to create one of the cleanest and purest rums ever produced. This exciting new addition to the Brugal family, which is distributed by Maxxium UK, will be available nationwide from August.
The Brugal Maestros Roneros have drawn on five generations of experience to create the first white rum ever produced by the Brugal family.
Independent testing has shown that when consumers blind taste Brugal Blanco Especial against the leading white rum brand, the overall preference after tasting is 68% in favour of Brugal *.
Brugal Blanco Especial gives bars the opportunity to encourage their consumers to trade up to a premium spirit in their favourite cocktails. The recommended serve is the Santa Smash. Take 25ml of Brugal Blanco Especial, muddle with fresh mint, lime quarters and sugar, shake and strain over crushed ice, top up with lemonade and then garnish with a mint sprig.
Emma Heath, marketing controller at Maxxium UK commented; “There are over four million white rum drinkers in the UK and we wanted to give bartenders and consumers alike the opportunity to trade up to a premium and less mainstream alternative to other white rums on the market. Brugal Blanco Especial will perfectly complement our existing golden rum range and support the premium positioning of the Brugal portfolio.”
For more information on Brugal please contact Maxxium UK Customer Services on 01786 430 500. (*) Tested by Eureka Ranch in Prince Edward Island n: 100; August 2010
Publicans across the UK will be able to offer drinkers a new measure of beer – 2/3rds of a pint – from October 1 this year.
The measure is popular in some parts of the world, including Australia, because it is less likely to grow warm in the sun.
The 2/3 pint will be allowed across the UK as a result of the The Weights and Measures (Specified Quantities) (Unwrapped Bread and Intoxicating Liquor) Order 2011 which comes into force on 1 October 2011. Leading licensing solicitor Stephen McGowan, Director of Licensing and Gambling at Lindsays said:
“The 1st October 2011 is set to be an interesting date for the licensed trade in Scotland. As well as the 2/3 pint, it is the date on which various new licence conditions come into force, including the mandatory “Challenge 25” condition which requires all licensed premises to ID persons who look under 25.” The 2/3 pint measure, whilst unknown in the UK, is common in other parts of the world such as Australia. Stephen added: “In hotter climates the 2/3 pint is popular because it is less likely to lose its chill in the sun – whether such logic applies in the sun-drenched beer gardens of Scotland is of course another story.”
The 2/3 pint will not be mandatory but instead a matter of individual choice for premises across the UK as to whether they decide to start stocking up on new glassware. However, McGowan, who is also a council member for trade body BII Scotland, expressed some reservations: “Whilst I have no quarrel with the lofty aim of reducing alcohol harm in Scotland, my concern is that vast majority of social drinkers will not drink less overall but just order more 2/3 pints as they are consumed quicker. I suppose that there is every possibility that the 2/3 pint could penetrate the zeitgeist in Scotland but I am not currently convinced.”
The 2/3 pint is one of a handful of changes to weights and measures law. Other changes include:
• the legalisation of wine “samples”, allowing wine to sold in quantities under 75ml,
• an update of the measures for fortified wine which will only be allowed in measures of 50ml and 70ml.
Maxxium UK is giving Maker’s Mark an extra push this summer with the launch of a new marketing campaign, Bourbon & Bespoke. The promotion, which kicks off nationwide in the on-trade this month, encourages consumers to order a Maker’s Mark drink in participating bars, for a chance to win the £5,000 ‘hand-picked’ style allowance, as well as other customised prizes.
Maxxium UK’s marketing controller for imported whiskeys, Eileen Livingston says “Maker’s Mark is the authentic, handcrafted premium bourbon, made using traditional production techniques with each bottle being hand-dipped in the signature red wax. Our new campaign aims to communicate this handcrafted message in a way that will appeal to and connect with our target consumer.”
Maker’s Mark aims to dominate Edinburgh throughout July with an array of high-profile activity. Bourbon & Bespoke nights in a number of bars will invite consumers to experience a unique quiz with interactive challenges and sample Maker’s Mark cocktails, while discovering the brand’s heritage and handcrafted qualities. Additional sampling will take place at busy locations in Edinburgh including Waverly station. The brand will also utilise posters – 6 sheet, 48
sheet and kiosk posters to ensure high visibility across the city.
For the first time, the brand is also investing heavily in social media, including facebook and advertisingon the Funny or Die website in July and on Spotify in August. A partnership with Top Table offers complimentary bourbon tastings at top restaurants.
Eileen Livingston says: “Through this integrated campaign we will raise awareness of the handcrafted credentials of Maker’s Mark and take the brand to the next level.
“The Bourbon & Bespoke events allow us to engage with consumers for a significant amount of time, giving them a memorable experience that will create talkability and encourage word of mouth advocacy.
“Maker’s Mark is bucking the trend for US Whiskey in Scotland with annual volume growth of 20%, in a category which has declined by 8.4%, so we are confident that our activity in Edinburgh will build further loyalty with our consumers and the trade alike, as we are continuing to do across the UK.”
Budweiser draught is re-launching from this month with a new 4.3% ABV. It will be supported by the roll-out of new fonts and point of sale with the new countermounts, T-bars and glassware using ‘Crisp Cold’ as a refreshment descriptor.
The iconic Budweiser Bow Tie will be the focal design with the brands “Grab Some Buds” tagline.
Iain Newell, Budweiser European Marketing Director, comments, “The focus on Budweiser draught comes at a time when the brand is in a position of strength. Equity and consumer affinity scores are at a high in the UK with the values of the brand being understood and appreciated. The continued investment in Budweiser is taking the brand on an upward journey and we believe the growth that Budweiser has experienced over the last year in the off-trade can be capitalised on for the on trade. Budweiser has the right format for the right occasion and clearly fulfils a consumer need. Moreover, the clean, crisp taste of Budweiser on draught is a concept we know our consumers and customers want. We will be driving distribution and aim to increase our presence in outlets with the heroic visual identity and new ABV; Budweiser Draught when served at the perfect temperature delivers ultimate refreshment ”
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The launch of Carling Chrome, a new premium lager, ‘is latest innovation in the Carling family. It will be a crisp lager, with an 4.8% ABV. Brewed using a precision brewing process the new beer has a lower level of bitterness and the ideal level of carbonation in order to deliver all the subtle flavours created by the yeast during fermentation, delivering a light and refreshing lager. Chris McDonough, Marketing Director, Molson Coors (UK & Ireland), added, “The Carling rebrand will be delivered according to a five point plan, which will include new communications, a new premium visual identity, innovative new packaging, innovative new products and a long term vision & strategy.”
Two years ago Glasgow City Licensing Board refused a licence to the Spearmint Rhino club in Drury Street, because they said it flouted its ‘no nudity’ policy. Two dancers had apparently stripped naked in front of patrons. The board’s ruling linked the code on nudity to the granting of licences for adult entertainment licences or “premises licences” and that is what was successfully challenged through the courts, by Brightcrew. They argued that the law related only to the sale of alcohol and could not be used to deal with other issues. Now one of Scotland licensing lawyers, Stephen McGowan, a Director of Licensing and Gambling at Lindsays, has said that this ruling could have implications for licensing boards around the country.
Belhaven Brewery, one of Scotland’s oldest breweries, has launched an new permanent cask ale Belhaven IPA. 
The group which was established in 1981 operates venues in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Stirling, Dumbarton and Dunfermline. These include the City and Sportsters units as well as two units the group purchased last year after Dark Star went into administration – The Collective in Dunfermline and The Clipper in Dumbarton. It’s understood that LT Pub Management will continue to operate the group until a buyer can be found.
The measure is popular in some parts of the world, including Australia, because it is less likely to grow warm in the sun.