just-drinks authors and correspondents

Biography

Andy Morton started out in journalism in Glasgow, where he wrestled in mashed potato and wrote about Highland cows.

Tiring of the high-brow, he travelled the world working as an itinerant sub-editor in cities including Taipei, Sydney and Shanghai. While in Hanoi, he brought to the world's attention the Scottish-Vietnamese fusion dish dog haggis.

He is now back in the UK with just-drinks after four years in Chengdu, China.

Articles by Andy Morton

Rising barley, aluminium costs put global brewers on alert for price increases - analyst 17 August 2018

A drinks industry analyst has warned that global brewers could be forced to raise prices next year amid ballooning costs for barley and aluminium.

---

The Coca-Cola Co to retake control of Philippines operations as FEMSA retreats 17 August 2018

The Coca-Cola Co is to take back the management of its bottling operations in the Philippines, after Coca-Cola FEMSA announced its decision to sell its majority stake.

---

Asahi hits back at Australian water extraction claim 17 August 2018

Asahi has countered accusations that it is irresponsibly sourcing water from underneath a rural Australian town.

---

Welch’s Global Ingredients Group turns grape juice into cost-effective wine filler 17 August 2018

Welch’s Global Ingredients Group, a supplier to the grape juice industry, has expanded into wine with an ingredient it claims will save wineries money.

---

Heineken faces tough battle in China's growing super-premium tier - analysis 16 August 2018

Heineken is unlikely to tackle Anheuser-Busch InBev's Budweiser brand head-on in China following the Dutch brewer's deal with CR Beer, an analyst has forecast. However, the group will be forced to fight for share in China's super-premium tier as international brewers increasingly flock to the growing end of the market.

---

Belvoir Fruit Farms adds COO to management team 16 August 2018

UK-based soft drinks producer Belvoir Fruit Farms has appointed a COO for the first time as it continues to grow its management team.

---

Portuguese Cork Association unveils first US TV ad - video 16 August 2018

The Portuguese Cork Association has launched its first US TV ad as the industry continues to rebound after deadly fires last year.

---

Bacardi's Aberfeldy Madeira Casks range - Product Launch 16 August 2018

Bacardi has launched two new Aberfeldy whiskies finished in Madeira casks.

---

Global Brands' VK Watermelon - Product Launch 16 August 2018

Global Brands has added a Watermelon flavour to its VK range after a public vote.

---

Lagunitas - the US brewery that wants to infect Heineken - Focus 15 August 2018

Ask Tony Magee, the founder of Heineken's Californian craft brewer, Lagunitas Brewing Co, about the relationship his company has with the global brewer and he'll tell you: "We are trying to infect them with our thinking."