• just-drinks home
• Companies

Constellation Brands

---

A new report from US-based sustainability non-profit Ceres, which assesses the performance of 613 US-based publicly-traded corporations on a comprehensive range of sustainability criteria, reveals food and drinks to be among the most progressive and highest-achieving sectors. However, the research does not reflect well on the drinks sector specifically.

---

In late-March, Constellation Brands reported its results for the 12 months to the end of February. Sales in fiscal-2018 came in 7% up on the corresponding period a year earlier, as a healthy final quarter gave the period a flourish. Here, just-drinks takes a closer look at the company's performance in the 12-month period on a by-category basis.

---

Our analyst returns! Ian Shackleton is back to give us his monthly consideration of the latest developments in the drinks industry from an investor's perspective. This month, Ian turns his attention to the saga at Conviviality, the possibility of the Coca-Cola system venturing into alcohol and tells us why Pernod Ricard makes him feel all warm and fuzzy.

---

It is not your imagination: Light beer is getting lighter. Although the top light brands, such as Bud Light, Coors Light and Miller Lite, have seen their sales erode for nearly a decade in the US, the success of Anheuser-Busch InBev's Michelob Ultra variant has given the industry hope. Subsequently, a new wave of innovators seeking to establish a new ultra-light premium beer niche has been born.

Earlier today, Australian private equity group CHAMP announced the divestment of Accolade Wines to The Carlyle Group for AUD1bn (US$768m). The news marks the end of CHAMP's association in wine, which started in 2011 when it bought 80% of Constellation Brands' Australian and UK wine operations for AUD290m (then-US$290m). Having spoken to CHAMP CEO John Haddock at the time of the purchase, it seemed only right for just-drinks to grab him for one final chat, to find out what CHAMP is passing over, why they're selling and what wine lessons the group learnt over the last seven years.

---

At ProWein 2014, Andy Morton sat down with Constellation's international general manager Philip Kingston to talk about its expanding global ambitions including a new tie-up in China for its Robert Mondavi brand.

Constellation Brands' San Diego brewery, Ballast Point, has launched its first nationally-distributed beer to be based on a cocktail recipe.

---

Anheuser-Busch InBev's Corona Mexican beer has overtaken Skol to retake its crown as Latin America's most valuable brand.

---

Accolade Wines finally has a new owner, with Australian private equity group CHAMP and Constellation Brands securing a sale of the company to The Carlyle Group.

---

Constellation Brands is testing several new products as it looks to take advantage of emerging drinks trends in the US. 

---

Constellation Brands has maintained its half-year performance throughout the full 12 months of fiscal-2018, with sales in the year rising by mid-single-digits.

---

Anheuser-Busch InBev's Bud Light bore the brunt of accelerating volume declines in US mainstream lager last year, new analysis has shown.

---

Constellation Brands is to increase capacity at the Obregon Brewery in Mexico with a near US$1bn investment.

---

Constellation Brands COO Bill Newlands has been handed the dual role of company president, replacing CEO Rob Sands in the post.

---

Companies including The Coca-Cola Co, PepsiCo, Heineken and Constellation Brands have joined forces to urge US President Donald Trump not to restrict aluminium imports to the country.

---

Constellation Brands CEO Rob Sands has called the recent legalisation of recreational cannabis in California a "non-event" that won't affect beer sales in the state.

---

Constellation Brands has bought into Kentucky-based craft spirits producer Copper & Kings American Brandy Co.

---

A return to single-digit growth for its beer operations has failed to stop Constellation Brands from delivering yet another set of strong quarterly results.

---

The trend for craft beer in cans has transferred from the US to the UK, new Nielsen research has revealed, with the booming format now accounting for a quarter of the market.

---

Cannabis products company Puration has said it will have a psychoactive cannabis beverage ready to launch in Canada for the expected legalisation of recreational marijuana next July.

---

Constellation Brands has agreed to purchase a near-10% stake in Canada-based medicinal cannabis company Canopy Growth Corp. 

---

Constellation Brands has appointed Jim Bourdeau to the role of executive vice president and general counsel, as the previous incumbent prepares to retire.

---

Constellation Brands is to partner with mixed martial arts organisation Ultimate Fighting Championship to drive US sales for the group's Modelo Especial beer brand.

---

Constellation Brands is to give a US nation-wide launch to its new low-calorie, low-carbohydrate Corona beer.

---

Constellation Brand has launched a new Ballast Point beer with a lower abv that previous releases from the San Diego brewery.

---

A good performance in the second quarter has helped drive Constellation Brands' sales to new heights in its fiscal first-half of 2018.

---

Constellation Brands is rolling out new Corona Extra bottles in the US, featuring some of the world's best-known boxers.

---

Constellation Brands has acquired Florida-based Funky Buddha Brewery as the firm looks to "lead the high-end beer segment" in US. 

Earlier this week, Constellation Brands released the latest results of its 'Project Genome' wine consumer study in North America. The company also issued this infographic of its findings.

---

Constellation Brands CEO Rob Sands appears a happy man right now. His company took full control of Grupo Modelo's US beer business in the US earlier this year and now the holiday season is just round the corner, when sales should soar.