just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

The top ten stories published on just-drinks last week:

• Comment - Branding - Making Your Vodka Stand Out

One of the more cutthroat sectors in the drinks industry is the vodka category. In recent years, the cocktail boom in markets such as the US has prompted the launches of new vodkas on an almost weekly basis. With so many brands around, James Boulton, creative director of branding development specialists Claessens International, gives his opinon on how you can make your brand stand out from the crowd.

• INDIA: Imported alcohol duty resolution still a way off

The head of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has warned that the thorny issue of imported alcohol duty is no nearer to being resolved.

• AMERICAS: Heineken targets Brazil, Mexico for future growth

Heineken's Americas boss has predicted that the premium beer sector will account for 20% of the beer markets in Brazil and Mexico over the next ten years.

• US: Craft beer sales continue to rise in 2011 - figures

Craft brewing in the US bucked the downward trend for the country's larger brewers last year, according to recent figures.

• UK: FY Scotch whisky exports hit record high

Scotch Whisky exports hit a record GBP4.2bn (US$6.7m) in shipment value last year, up 23% on 2010, latest figures have revealed.

• AUS: SABMiller targets beer growth from Foster's

SABMiller is predicting volume growth of between 1% and 3% in its Australian beer and cider business in the next three to five years, but believes there is a major opportunity to turnaround the recently-acquired Foster's brand. 

• INDIA: Heineken close to gaining United Breweries control? - report

Neither Heineken nor the UB Group have been drawn on speculation suggesting that the Dutch brewer is poised to raise its stake in UB's United Breweries unit.

• IRELAND: William Grant to start construction of Tullamore Dew distillery

William Grant & Sons has finally confirmed that it intends to build a new distillery for its Tullamore Dew whiskey brand in Ireland.

• CHINA: Coca-Cola Co opens biggest China bottling plant

The Coca-Cola Co has opened its biggest bottling plant in China, its 42nd in the country.

• TRAVEL RETAIL: Diageo travel retail head to move on after two years

Diageo has announced a change of MD at its Global Travel and Middle East (GTME) division.