just the round-up - The week in drinks

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

Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiCo

US: Pepsi Bottling Group rejects PepsiCo takeover bid

Pepsi Bottling Group has rejected a takeover offer from its parent group, PepsiCo, as "grossly inadequate".

Danone withdraws water brand

FRANCE: Danone pulls Taillefine water

Danone has confirmed that its Taillefine 'nature' bottled water will be withdrawn from sale in order to conform with EU legislation.

Carlsberg Q1 results

DENMARK: Carlsberg maintains FY guidance on positive Q1

Carlsberg has reported a 1% rise in like-for-like sales in the first quarter of 2009 and has reiterated its full-year sales and profits guidance.

Pernod Ricard US appointment

US: Pernod Ricard appoints wine, Champagne chief

Pernod Ricard is set to announce that Lauren Simkin is the new general manager of its wine and Champagne business in the US, as part of a re-organisation of the division's sales team.

Anheuser-Busch InBev and Oriental Brewery

BELGIUM: Anheuser-Busch InBev agrees Oriental Brewery sale to KKR

Anheuser-Busch InBev has finally confirmed that it will sell its South Korean brewing operations to private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) & Co.

A-B InBev Q1 results

BELGIUM: A-B InBev profits up, beats expectations in Q1

Anheuser-Busch InBev has reported an increase in profits and a 4.7% rise in like-for-like sales for the first quarter of 2009.

PepsiAmericas and PepsiCo

US: PepsiAmericas rejects PepsiCo takeover bid

PepsiAmericas has followed in the footsteps of fellow drinks bottler Pepsi Bottling Group in rejecting a takeover bid from parent firm PepsiCo.

SABMiller and African breweries

AFRICA: SABMiller to open more breweries

SABMiller will follow up the launch of a brewery in Southern Sudan by opening another three breweries across Africa in 2009, in recognition of the continent's potential as a beer market.

Scotch whisky exports in 2008

UK: Scotch whisky exports rise, volumes slip in '08 - figures

Scotch whisky exports rose 8% to a record GBP3bn (US$4.5bn) in 2008, but the industry faces a tougher 2009 amid declines in key established and emerging markets, new Scotch Whisky Association figures show.

UK soft drinks sales in '08

UK: Soft drinks sales creep up in 08 - BSDA

Soft drinks sales grew 1%  in value but declined 1.1% in volume in 2008, to stand at GBP13bn (US$19.5bn) and 13,905m litres, the British Soft Drink Association's (BSDA) 2009 UK Soft Drinks Report shows.