On just-drinks last week:

• The Coca-Cola Co came out fighting against obesity in the US. Only a few days after launching a TV ad that gives details of its healthier alternatives in the country, CEO Muhtar Kent highlighted his and his company’s commitment to playing a major part in the anti-obesity dialogue. Here’s hoping the nation’s legislators allow Coca-Cola its place at the table.
• In a just-drinks exclusive, the founder of craft brewer Goose Island, bought two years ago by Anheuser-Busch InBev, told us that he was surprised that the global brewers hadn’t been more active in the sub-category. “ I would have thought there would have been more (consolidation) already,”John Hall said.
• A report from Euromonitor claimed that strength in emerging markets is not the only way for the world’s spirits producers to generate growth in the future. "Geographic breadth is more important than whether the market is a mature or emerging one," the research claims.
• Australia’s wine producers continue to struggle, with Barossa Valley Estate the latest to hit the fan. With receivers calling at the South Australian company so soon after Casella posted a worrying set of numbers, here’s hoping these are blips rather than a trend.
• The third part of Euromonitor’s preview of 2013 went live last week. Click here to read the company’s take on the prospects for the spirits category in the year ahead. The fourth and fifth parts of Euromonitor’s management briefing, covering beer and wine, will be with you before the month is out.
• Finally, we welcome back two just-drinks stalwarts: First up, we have Larry Nelson, beer commentator extraordinaire and publisher of Brewers’ Guardian. Also back in the fold is our former deputy editor, Chris Mercer, who will be looking at the white spirits world once a month. Gentlemen, it’s good to have you back.

Until next time...

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