just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

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

• JAPAN: Asahi Group to buy Calpis for US$1.5bn

Asahi Group will buy Japanese soft-drinks maker Calpis for JPY120bn (US$1.5bn), the company said today (8 May).

• CHINA: CSDs to grow in spite of challenges - research

Sales of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) in China are forecast to reach around 20.6bn litres by 2016, representing growth of 47% against 2011, according to a recently-published Mintel report.

• just On Call - StarBev deal best use of our money - Molson Coors

Molson Coors' buyout of StarBev was the best deal for shareholders, according to the head of the North American brewer.

• DENMARK: Carlsberg has "scope for improvements" - analyst

Carlsberg has “scope for improvements” in the year ahead, after reporting a significant Q1 loss of DKK76m (US$13.2m), according to analysts.

• UK: The Coca-Cola Co launches McDonald's fruit drink

The Coca-Cola Co has helped create a new McDonald's fruit drink that will launch in the UK next Wednesday (16 May).

• UK: Jack Daniel's Honey set to hit UK

Bacardi Brown-Forman is launching Brown Forman's honey version of its Jack Daniel's whiskey brand in the UK this month –  the first major product innovation for the brand in 14 years.

• US: Appeals court finds for Beam Inc over Diageo in Maker's Mark wax row

Beam Inc has welcomed a ruling by an appeals court in the US upholding its red wax trademark for the Maker's Mark Bourbon brand.

• just On Call - CEDC aims to out-muscle Russian rivals

Russia's vodka market will consolidate, more through smaller players going to the wall than through acquisitions, the head of Central European Distribution Corp (CEDC) has forecast.

• US: Jones Soda gets ready for Summer as Q1 losses flatten out

Jones Soda is gearing up for the key summer selling season by maintaining first-quarter losses versus a year earlier, despite a drop in sales.

• Product Launch - US: Bacardi's D'Ussé Cognac