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Kirin Brewery Co.

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Ian Shackleton, just-drinks' resident analyst, returns this month with a headache from Heineken. He also considers the prospects for growth in the tricky Chinese market and surveys the dangers facing PepsiCo that its next CEO will have to deal with from day one.

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In mid-February, Heineken released its results for 2017. The brewer posted a 5% increase in sales for the 12 months, on a 3% lift in volumes. Here, drinks industry commentator Richard Siddle considers Heineken's performance over the last five years.

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Our 2018 category previews continue. Here, beer industry commentator Stephen Beaumont shares his predictions on how the brewing world will weather the year ahead.

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On the surface, it looks pretty clear-cut. Give it a scratch, though, and there could be a little more to FEMSA’s Heineken stake sale than first meets the eye.

In November, just-drinks grabbed some time with the CEO of the drinks industry-funded International Alliance for Responsible Drinking, Henry Ashworth. The first part of our resultant interview, which can be found here, saw Ashworth explain what the organisation does and how it defines success. Here, in part two, we discuss IARD's relationship with the World Health Organisation and tackle the thorny issue of pricing as a tool in responsible drinking's arsenal.

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Jorge Grosse has been CEO of González Byass since mid-2006. Earlier this year, just-drink editor Olly Wehring met him in London to discuss Sherry, casks and the firm's moves to diversify its portfolio.

Brooklyn Brewery has announced another change of partner in Australia, with Coopers Brewery making way for Lion-owned Little Creatures.

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Japan's Kirin Holdings is to sell the dairy and drinks division of Lion, its Australia-based food and beverage subsidiary.

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Kirin Holdings has confirmed the launch of a "strategic review" of its Lion Dairy & Drinks division in Oceania.

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Japanese brewer Kirin's Australian unit Lion has launched its first new James Boag's beer for a decade.

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Kirin's Australian subsidiary, Lion, has expanded its craft beer operations in Asia. 

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Kirin's Australian unit has made an investment in a kombucha brand.

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Kirin’s domestic and overseas beer units dropped back last year as the Japanese company crawled to a slight sales rise.

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The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking has released its fourth annual Producers’ Commitments progress report.

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Kirin's Australian unit Lion has sold its stake in warehousing and distribution company BevChain. 

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Japan's domestic beer shipments fell to a record low for the fifth first-half-year in a row, as all three segments of the category declined amid tax changes, according to local reports.

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Kirin Breweries' Australian unit, Lion, has hit back at claims its XXXX Brewery in Milton, Queensland is to close. 

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Carlsberg is to launch a range of small-batch beers in Lithuania through a fresh tie-up with Brooklyn Brewery.

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Kirin Breweries' Australian unit, Lion, is offering start-ups in the country AUD50,000 (US$38,000) to help uncover the next disruptive innovation in beer.

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Strong sales for non-alcoholic beer in Japan have prompted brewers to up production, according to a local report.

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Kirin's Australian craft beer brand, Little Creatures, is continuing its global expansion with a new distribution deal for the UK.

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Kirin's Australasian subsidiary, Lion, is to take its Little Creatures brand into China for the first time.

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Kirin Holdings is set to acquire a second brewer in Myanmar through a joint-venture with Myanma Economic Holdings, its partner in the Myanmar Brewery division.

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Heineken has successfully completed its recently-confirmed discussions with Kirin Holdings, with the European brewer set to acquire Kirin's Brazilian operations for almost half the price the Japanese firm paid in 2011.

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Kirin Holdings is on the hunt for "investment opportunities" across South-East Asia as it posted a lift in full-year sales and a return to profit in 2016.

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Domestic beer volumes in Japan fell by 3% last year as shipments from all five major brewers declined, according to local reports.

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Heineken has confirmed that it is in "ongoing" discussions with Kirin Holdings over the possible acquisition of the Japanese group's Brazilian brewing operations.

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Kirin's Australasian subsidiary, Lion, has said its decision to use disgraced former cyclist Lance Armstrong in a marketing campaign was to "highlight that actions have consequences".