just the Round-Up - The week in drinks

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

• US: Beam Inc offloads budget brands to Luxco for US$65m

Beam Inc has agreed to sell a group of its “economy” spirit brands to Luxco for around US$65m.

• GLOBAL: Majors tighten grip on global spirits sector - research

The world's largest spirits groups are continuing to increase their share of the global spirits market, a new report from Euromonitor International has found.

• AUS: Barossa Valley Estate calls in receivers

Barossa Valley Estate (BVE) has appointed receivers to take control of its assets, with the winery set to go up for sale.

• GLOBAL: SABMiller Q3 sales rise but rain dampens China

SABMiller has posted a jump in third-quarter sales despite bad weather in China that saw its volumes in the country dip.

• US: Craft brewery M&A to rise - Goose Island founder

The founder of Goose Island has voiced his surprise at the lack of M&A activity in the US craft beer sector and admitted he had “mixed emotions” about quitting the company he set up.

• INDIA: Diageo to bring United Spirits stability, but risks remain - analyst

Diageo will bring “much-needed” financial prudence to United Spirits Ltd (USL) by ending a “vicious” cycle of volume focus, high working capital and low profitability, an analyst has predicted. 

• US: New York lawmaker warns against fighting energy drinks firms

A New York state legislator overseeing a proposed energy drinks crackdown says he wants to work with the industry and not fight “tooth and nail” with companies.

• GLOBAL: Coca-Cola Co to "mobilise" behind anti-obesity drive - CEO

The head of the Coca-Cola Co wants to use his company's marketing might to drive home anti-obesity education.

• US: Crown Imports to attract brands put off by Anheuser-Busch InBev - analyst

Crown Imports can become a “master” distributor under Constellation Brands, offering access to the US market for international brands not wanting to use Anheuser-Busch InBev, an analyst has said.

• CHINA: Wholesaler sent to prison over "fake" Scotch whisky

A wholesaler in China has been given a four-year prison sentence for selling “fake” Scotch whisky in the country's first case centered on the term 'Scotch'.