Just the round-up – The week in drinks

The top ten most visited stories on just-drinks this week:

Anheuser-Busch

US: Anheuser-Busch sees 2007 US volumes rise

Anheuser-Busch has reported a lift in shipment volumes in the US for 2007.

Bottled water in the US

US: Chicago hit by bottled water tax lawsuit

A raft of trade associations have filed a lawsuit against the city of Chicago over the recent introduction of a "disconcerting" tax on bottled water.

Brown-Forman, Wray & Nephew, Distell

US: Brown-Forman calls time on W&N, Distell US bunk-ups

Brown-Forman has confirmed the termination of two marketing agreements in the US.

Constellation Brands

US: Constellation sees Q3 profits climb

Constellation Brands has posted a healthy lift in quarter three net income, despite a marked drop in reported net sales.

William Grant & Sons

US: William Grant & Sons appoints marketing exec

William Grant & Sons has recruited a new senior vice president of marketing for its US subsidiary.

Beam Global UK, Diageo

UK: Beam Global UK hires ex-Diageo exec

Beam Global UK has hired a former Diageo manager as its new sales director.

Cognac

FRANCE: Cognac demand leads to regulation change

Viniflhor has announced the final figures for the new replantation in advance scheme for Cognac growers, introduced last October.

Carlsberg, Heineken, Scottish & Newcastle

UK: GBP8.00 "a starting point" for Carlsberg, Heineken - S&N

Whilst Scottish & Newcastle has said that it is still not prepared to talk to the Carlsberg/Heineken consortium regarding its prospective takeover, the UK brewer has set a "starting point" for potential negotiations.

Cadbury Schweppes

UK: Cadbury Schweppes cools Australian unit sale rumours - report

Cadbury Schweppes has silenced rumours it may sell its Australian and New Zealand drinks business, according to reports.

Constellation Wines

US: Constellation Wines unveils new structure

Constellation Brands has integrated its recent Fortune Brands wine acquisitions into a new sales and marketing structure for its combined portfolio.

This weeks features:

Analysis - S&N takes its fight to Stockholm

This week is proving an eventful one in the battle for control of Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), with the UK brewer today making its official submission to the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, which will consider if Carlsberg's involvement in the bid breaches its Shareholder Agreement with S&N governing its joint venture, Baltic Beverages Holding (BBH). Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the consortium to increase its GBP7.50 per share offer, and an improved bid could be on the table by the end of the week. Ben Cooper reports.

The Losh Cause - Predictive text for 2008

just-drinks wine pundit Chris Losh turns clairvoyant to predict the big stories of 2008. Will our Nostradamus of the Spittoon be proved right? There is only one way to find out. Keep reading just-drinks!