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beer stories: news
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BEER NEWS - May 2007
Carlsberg's deep pockets
Carlsberg's announcement that it intends to modify its share structure will leave the giant Danish brewer with plenty of cash in the bank, giving it significant clout in terms of possible acquisitions. Though the company's management
have denied this is the purpose of the move, Just Drinks reports that The Carlsberg Foundation will reduce its 51.3% holding of share capital
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to 25%, thus freeing as much as US$8.5bn.
London-based broker Cazenove stated: "This is a highly significant move which, in our view, is primarily designed to allow Carlsberg to merge with, or bid for, Scottish & Newcastle in due course."
Carlsberg and Scottish & Newcastle already have a joint venture in the Baltic brewery in Russia.
Beer Passion in Antwerp
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From the 22nd to 24th June Antwerp is transformed as the annual beer festival comes to the city. Ferry line DFDS Seaways is offering a special 'Beer Passion City Cruise Break' that takes in the festival.
One of Antwerp�s largest squares, the Groenplaats is transformed for the weekend as thousands descend on the city for a chance to taste over 150 different varieties of beer, enjoy the live music
and soak up the relaxed atmosphere. The Beer Passion four night city cruise break to Antwerp departs Newcastle upon Tyne on the 21st June 2006. Prices start from �169 per person and include two nights onboard ship,
two night at the Alfa de Keyser or Alfa Empire Hotel in the centre of Antwerp on a bed and breakfast basis, coach transfers from ship to hotel and return. Entrance to the Beer Festival is free.
Book online at www.dfds.co.uk or call 08704 333 222.
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Bateman's bottles up
Echoing a trend to more premium bottled beer consumption at home, Batemans, the Lincolnshire based brewer and retailer, has seen sales of its bottled beer range increase by 24 per cent during 2006 and is on track
to see a similar percentage increase during 2007. The success of the range is attributed to a number of reasons which include a new livery, raising the profile with consumers through a joint initiative with Marks and Spencer
and the launch of a new seasonal ale brand - Autumn Fall - during 2006.
Batemans XXXB (Triple XB) was introduced to many new consumers last year through its
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inclusion in Marks & Spencers Cook! Beef Pie range, with the brewer's flagship ale incorporated within its sauce and featured on the packaging. XXXB also picked up the Gold medal in the Premium Ale category of the British Bottled Beer Institute.
Stuart Bateman, managing director of Batemans says: "In a highly competitive market, we are delighted with the 24 per cent increase in sales through major multiples. It demonstrates that consumers are remaining loyal to beers
they enjoy and long may it continue."
...and more Brakspear in bottle
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Brakspear Bitter has just been launched in bottle, and is listed in J Sainsbury stores nationwide from the end of April. At a quaffable 3.4% abv, Brakspear Bitter is being touted as suiyable for supping with
fish and chips, Ploughmans lunch, and mature English cheeses. As with the cask version, the bottle brewing recipe uses Fuggles and Goldings hops and the original Brakspear yeast, as well as the
'double-dropped' fermentation system which starts in a round vessel for 12 to 24 hours, before the brew is dropped into square vessels below to enhance the normal fermentation profile. Jeremy Moss, Head Brewer,
comments "I am thrilled that the complex flavours, which are the hallmark of Brakspear Bitter, have been preserved so well in this bottle."
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Etalon Weissbier
Rated four stars by Roger in his review, the Ukranian wheat beer Etalon is now available
in bottle throughout the Wetherspoon retail estate of 660 pubs. Steve Holt, managing director of importer, Vertical Drinks says:
"Weissbier Etalon is an opaque, deep golden colour which comes from the special yeast. This yeast is also responsible for the exceptionally creamy head. It is, I believe, one of the finest Bavarian-style wheat beers in the world.
Etalon has been very popular through Tesco and now Wetherspoon gives us our first significant on-trade presence. We are confident that once their customers try this impressive beer they will keep coming back for more."
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Flavours of Faversham
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Taste the finest Kent produce at the Flavours of Faversham Food and Drink Festival, to be held on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 June 2007.
The festival, which runs from 10am to 4pm each day, showcases local producers including Faversham brewers Shepherd Neame, who play a central role in the festivities.
The brewery's Visitor Centre will be open for brewery tours and tutored tastings, matching five ales and lagers with local food specially chosen to complement the distinctive flavour of each beer.
A marquee outside the Visitor Centre will host a beer and sausage challenge, tutored beer tastings and a variety of talks and demonstrations. Food fans can also take the Flavours of Faversham Trail around the town.
To book a brewery tour and food-tasting session, which costs �12.50. To learn more about the Flavours of Faversham Festival.
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