InBev’s takeover of Anheuser turned the company into the world’s largest brewer with revenues of some $9.3bn in that quarter – a 3.7% increase in profits. Annual profits rose from $1.9bn in 2008 to $4.6bn in 2009.

The group announced in January that 800 jobs across Europe would be cut. As well as being the largest brewer in the world, they lead the market in the US and Brazil.

SIBA (The Society of Independent Brewers) is reporting a growth in sales of some 4% even in spite of the recession. Although the overall beer market in the UK declined by some 4.2% in 2009, local brewer’s volume sales were actually up by 3.75%. This was helped by 12% more pubs now sourcing their beers from independent breweries.

SIBA’s chief executive Julian Grocock said: “Over 60% of our members were founded after 2000, so the current recession is the most severe they have traded through. That the vast majority managed a sales uplift last year and are anticipating the same in 2010 speaks volumes about the resilience and resourcefulness of the UK’s quality independent brewers. The UK’s local brewing industry, though rooted in tradition, is a relatively young one. Most of our members are younger than SIBA itself, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Our success through the past few, exceptionally tough years, however, surely demonstrates that local ales are no passing fad, but a permanent asset that can offer a much-needed boost to the nation’s troubled pub trade.”

You can get more information directly from SIBA

The title was held briefly by the Germans when brewer Schorschbrau released the 40% ‘Schorschbock’. Previous to that Brewdog held the title with teh 32% ‘Tactical Nuclear Penguin’.

Brewdog MD James Watt said : “Beer has a terrible reputation in Britain, it’s ignorant to assume that a beer can’t be enjoyed responsibly like a nice dram or a glass of fine wine. A beer like Sink the Bismarck should be enjoyed in spirit sized measures. It is important that you be careful with this beer and show it the same amount of sceptical, tentative respect you would show an international chess superstar, clown or gypsy.”

You can get more info on Sink the Bismark at Brewdog.com

The brewery will be built in Blandford St Mary and construction is scheduled to begin in October.

Hall & Woodhouse Vice-Chairman, Mark Woodhouse commented : “Hall & Woodhouse has been brewing Badger ales for over 225 years and this exciting new development ensures we will be doing so for many more generations to come. I believe an investment of this magnitude also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to brewing and to the continued growth of our premium bottled and cask ales. It also ensures that we continue brewing the high quality and innovative flavoured ales for which we have such an enviable reputation.”

Hall & Woodhouse Website

The theft occurred on the A1 close to Foston, and the pallets contained packs of 500ml Jagermeister bottles. These bottles should be recognisable as they are not the size which is in general distribution.

It has been reported that some of the stolen stock has already been offered to retailers in the Greenford area.

Anyone with information, or who has been offered 500ml bottles of Jagermeister are asked to contact Cellar Trends on 01283 217703, or contact PC Meldrum of Lincolnshire Police on 01476 402222.

You can now browse details of Beer Festivals from across the UK.
Registered members can comment on beer or cider festivals they have visited, and festival representatives are able to add and edit their details for free.

Extra features and tweaks will be added over the coming weeks and we expect it to become a welcome tool for the many beer festival organisers around the country.

You can find the new festival section here : Beer Festivals

The match will be aired in 3D in just nine pubs around the UK, located in Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh and London. The main roll out will begin in April when hundreds of other pubs get access to the channel. The wider public will be able to view 3D content via their Sky+HD boxes later in the year.

The new 3D content will be available as a free add-on for existing sky+HD customers, but 3D glasses are required to get the full effect.

The 2010 World Cup is also to be filmed in 3D, ushering in a new era in mainstream television viewing.

The Baileys brand will also be subject to a new £1million advertising campaign starting March 8th and spanning Valentines Day, Mothers day and Easter.

Plans were being discussed which would have seen the pub demolished and replaced with flats. A campaign against the plans drew popular support, with a petition gaining 1800 names and a facebook page dedicated to the cause summoning almost 4000 members.

Greene King Pub Partners have released a press release in which MD David Elliot says :” We have looked at the scheme put forward by the developers. Having spoken to our licensees, Hayley and Steve and other interested parties, we have decided not to support this application at this current time. The Portland Arms is a vibrant and valuable pub and will remain open for the foreseeable future. We’d like to thank everyone who has been in touch in relation to the Portland, both for and against the proposals. It shows that, contrary to media interest, pubs are still very much in the hearts and minds of the British public.”

The hearing will be held on Friday 22nd January at 2pm and will involve lawyers from both CAMRA and the OFT as well as several appeal panel members. The public are also free to attend the hearing which will take place at the Appeal Tribunal building in Holburn, London. This hearing will merely discuss how the appeal will proceed and could float a timetable.