I was on holiday last week, so I'm back today to an inbox bulging with opportunity. Before I start replying to my admirers, however, I've been scanning the just-drinks site to catch up on what I've missed.

It would appear to have all kicked off in Ukraine in my absence: The long-running saga of Nemiroff's attempts to find a suitor has taken a bizarre turn, with the majority of shareholders blockading its own company's facilities. With just-drinks' coverage of the situation including a quote from a shareholder's mother, this is one story I'm very keen to get my teeth into.

Meanwhile, in the brewing world, rumblings from Brazil last week helped raise my other eyebrow. That Diageo has backed away from making a move for Schincariol, the number two brewer in the country, wasn't the surprise; more, that any multinational would be remotely interested in the company. With Anheuser-Busch InBev's AmBev unit holding a vice-like grip on the Brazilian beer market, there can't be much incentive for the likes of Heineken and SABMiller to buy Schincariol. Add to this the fact that Schincariol operates at the lower value level, and one has to ask oneself who would want to play the volumes game in such a market.

Still, it's nice to see the wheels still go round while I'm away.

Features-wise last week, Chris Losh found himself agreeing with a Frenchman, Richard Corbett considered what the soft drinks industry has learnt from the economic downturn, and Ben Cooper asked if 18-year-old Alaskan Soldiers should be able to enjoy a cold beer.

With content this colourful, maybe I should go away more often.

Until next time...

Olly Wehring
Managing Editor
Web: http://www.just-drinks.com
Email: editor@just-drinks.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/just_drinks