just the round-up - The week in drinks

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

United Spirits and Whyte & Mackay

INDIA: United Spirits mulling Whyte & Mackay sale?

Whyte & Mackay has declined to comment on reports that it could be sold by its parent company in the coming months.

Innocent to sell off stake?

UK: Innocent Drinks looking for potential bidders

UK smoothie group Innocent Drinks has said it is scouting for potential bidders for a minority stake in its company.

Australian RTD tax

AUSTRALIA: Senate to debate RTD drinks tax

Australia's 70% take hike on ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, or 'alcopops', hangs in the balance as the country's Senate prepares for a key vote on the issue.

Brown-Forman results

US: Nine-month profit creeps up at "cautious" Brown-Forman

Brown-Forman has posted a slight lift in net profit for the first nine months of its fiscal year, despite slowing sales in its third quarter.

Boston Beer Company results

US: Boston Beer sees product recall hammer FY profits

The Boston Beer Company has posted a marked drop in profits for 2008, thanks in part to a product recall in April last year.

Portman Group orders Baby rebrand

UK: Portman forces Alcohol Brand's 'Baby' drinks to re-brand

Two UK drinks containing vodka are being forced to re-brand following a complaint under the Portman Group's code of practice.

Minimum price for alcohol hits glitch

UK: Scottish alcohol plans face delay

Plans to restrict alcoholic drinks sales in Scotland, including the introduction of minimum pricing, cannot be implemented without fresh legislation, opposition parties have warned.

Anheuser-Busch InBev's divestment needs

BELGIUM: Anheuser-Busch InBev eases pressure for disposals

Anheuser-Busch InBev is no longer under pressure to sell assets in 2009, due to progress on cost savings and a strong cash flow, analysts believe.

Asahi Breweries and Cadbury Australia

AUS: Asahi Breweries gets Cadbury Australia buy okay

Asahi Breweries has secured a binding agreement to acquire Cadbury's soft drinks business in Australia.

SABMiller unit continues Chinese buys

CHINA: SABMiller CR Snow buys brewery

SABMiller's Chinese joint venture, China Resources Snow Breweries, is to buy a brewery in the country's Shandong province for around US$42m.