Led by the brewers of the world, last week was all about the numbers on just-drinks.

Two of the five biggest multi-national brewers posted their latest results, with Heineken taking the opportunity to announce a drive for EUR500m (US$660m) in cost savings over the next three years. Then, on Thursday, Molson Coors posted its full-year numbers, followed closely by MillerCoors' digits.

This last set of results prompted our deputy editor, Chris Mercer, to suggest that, when it comes to the US, the larger beer brands need to recalibrate their expectations. “Shouldn't we be hearing a bit more humility from certain sections of the North American beer industry,” he asks, “given the ongoing floundering of key brands?”

Speaking of the US, the wine grape growers of California will be toasting last year's production figures, also released last week. While a record average price of US$634 per tonne of Californian wine grapes gave the growers reason to be cheerful, I doubt wine producers will be as happy: Wine is probably the hardest drinks category in which to pass on price, so good luck with that, folks.

Back to the numbers, and Dr Pepper Snapple Group were the latest soft drinks company to release their FY results, while Pernod Ricard represented the spirits companies, with its figures dropping on Thursday.

Until next time...

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