just the round-up - The week in drinks

See the top ten stories published on just-drinks this week.

A-B InBev

BELGIUM: A-B InBev Eastern Europe sale still on

Private equity group CVC Capital Partners still intends to acquire Anheuser-Busch');return false;" href="/factsheet.aspx?id=3">Anheuser-Busch InBev brewing assets in Eastern Europe, just-drinks understands.

Alcohol UK

Comment: Minimum pricing for alcohol

Minimum pricing for alcohol is dividing both the drinks trade and the politicians, but last week's damning response from the Office of Fair Trading could mean the policy never sees the light of day.

Diageo

UK: Diageo trials mid-strength Guinness

Diageo is trialling a mid-strength version of its Guinness beer in the UK, in response to calls for drinks with a lower alcohol content.

Beer, Europe

just the facts - Europe's beer industry

Read the key facts on the European beer industry, following a report published this week by Ernst & Young and Brewers of Europe.

Foster's Group

AUS: Foster's freezes exec pay, CEO secures bonus

Foster's has frozen basic wages for senior management for the next 12 months, with CEO Ian Johnston taking home a AUS$1m (US$858,000) bonus in the group's most recent fiscal year, according to the company's annual report.

France, alcohol

FRANCE: Alcohol co's await internet ad ban lift

A ban on alcoholic drinks promotion on the internet in France remains in force, because a new law to legalise adverts and drinks websites has not been signed off.

Lion Nathan, Kirin Holdings

AUS: Lion Nathan shareholders back Kirin takeover

Shareholders in Lion Nathan, Australia's largest brewer, have formally given their blessing to a takeover of the group by Japan's Kirin Holdings.

UK, Alcohol

UK: Alcohol debate becoming polarised - trade chief

Campaign groups seeking ever greater extremes are distorting the debate over how to tackle excess drinking in the UK, the head of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association has warned.

Soft drinks

US: Soft drinks obesity tax call

US researchers and health advocates have called for heavier tax on sugary soft drinks in an effort to curb consumption and raise funds for new health programmes.

Red Bull

SWEDEN: Red Bull slams energy drink sales ban

Red Bull has criticised two Swedish retail chains after they announced a plan to ban energy drinks sales to children under the age of 15, citing health concerns.