just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

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

• IRELAND: New Irish whiskey distillery to start production this week

A new whiskey distillery in Ireland - the first in 47 years - is set to officially start production this week.

• US: Craft beers cut into premium rivals' on-trade sales - study

Craft beers are taking sales from premium and import beers in the US on-trade, a new study claims.

• FRANCE: Cognac keeps Rémy Cointreau riding high in H1

Rémy Cointreau has reported a major increase in first-half net profits driven by Cognac sales in the US and China.

• US: Brown-Forman still keen to buy despite US$850m dividend pay-out

Brown-Forman has lined up a special dividend payment to the tune of around US$850m, but maintains it still has enough capital to make “strategic acquisitions”.

• UK: Government consults on GBP0.45 minimum price

The UK Government has launched a consultation on plans to set a minimum alcohol price of GBP0.45 per unit.

• US: Spirits sector sees "squeezed middle" in on-trade sales

The "super premium" and "value" end of the US spirits market have grabbed on-trade sales in the US from an underperforming middle, a new study claims.

• DENMARK/MYANMAR: Carlsberg eyes entry into Myanmar

Carlsberg has confirmed it is “considering various options” for Myanmar following reports it is planning to build a brewery and establish joint-ventures in the country.

• US: FDA says no evidence to suggest energy drink ingredients unsafe

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has partly rejected health concerns raised by two senators over energy drinks, saying there is no evidence to suggest taurine and guarana are dangerous.

• EUROPE: European Commission warns against minimum pricing plans

The European Commission (EC) has urged the Scottish and UK Governments to abandon their plans for a minimum price as the measure is “disproportionate” and will be an obstacle to trade.

• AUS: Accolade Wines CEO exits

Accolade Wines has announced that CEO Troy Christensen is leaving the company today (30 November) by "mutual agreement".