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"The future isn't to get concerned about monolithic brands like Bacardi and Smirnoff, but to encourage and focus on the innovators" - Interview - Amber Beverage Group CEO Seymour Ferreira 30 Oct 2018

Andy Morton

Amber Beverage Group is a good example of a mid-tier alcohol company. Part of the SPI Group, the company employs around 2,000 across its production sites in the Baltics, Russia, Mexico and the UK. It also distributes global brands including its own Riga Black Balsam and Moskovskaya vodkas across the world. According to CEO Seymour Ferreira, Amber prides itself on having global reach while remaining small enough to be as agile as a start-up. Earlier this month, just-drinks sat down with Ferreira to talk about how to compete with the giants of the industry, the difficulties of finding good distributors and why cannabis and low-alcohol offer attractive growth for the future.

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"We've got to be part of a wider ecosystem to succeed" - Daniel Grubbs, MD of the PepsiCo Ventures Group 18 Sep 2018

Dean Best

PepsiCo is to take its Nutrition Greenhouse accelerator programme to North America after launching the initiative in Europe, where it is in its second year. Dean Best spoke to PepsiCo executive Daniel Grubbs about why the US food and drinks giant is bringing the scheme to its domestic market, what it has learnt so far and why such programmes are important strategically to one of the largest players in the sector.

Accolade Wines offloads Knappstein Winery, mulls Houghton sale 23 Aug 19

Andy Morton

Accolade Wines is considering the sale of another Australian winery after confirming the divestment of Clare Valley's Knappstein Winery.

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Craft Brew Alliance "disappointed" as Anheuser-Busch InBev declines option to buy 23 Aug 19

Andy Morton

Anheuser-Busch InBev has passed on its longstanding option to acquire full control of US craft beer partner Craft Brew Alliance.

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AXA Millesimes returns to Portugal with Quinta do Passadouro Port purchase 22 Aug 19

Olly Wehring

AXA Millésimes, the wine arm of AXA Insurance, has made another vineyard acquisition in Portugal, this time moving for Port and red wine producer Quinta do Passadouro.

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Diageo spends US$27.3m to up stake in United Spirits 22 Aug 19

Andy Morton

Diageo has slightly increased its United Spirits holding, raising its stake in the Indian distiller to 55.2%.

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Greene King follows Fuller, Smith & Turner with UK offload 19 Aug 19

Olly Wehring

Greene King has lined up a near-US$6bn sale to Hong Kong's CK Asset Holdings, fulfilling a prophesy earlier this year that the UK brewer and pub operator would follow Fuller, Smith & Turner with a divestment.

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Treasury Wine Estates on M&A hunt as CEO targets US, Asia 16 Aug 19

Andy Morton

Treasury Wine Estates CEO has promised more vineyard acquisitions as the company bucks sluggish wine trends in the US and aims to become China's biggest supplier of French wine.