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AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - An industry group representing Dutch bars sued Heineken NV and two other brewers on Monday, seeking damages for alleged price fixing that the EU says kept beer prices artificially high for years.
Spokesman Anthony van der Klis of the Horeca association–which also represents hotels, restaurants and caterers–declined to say whether it would seek more or less than the 219 million (US$310 million) that Heineken was forced to pay the EU in April. Heineken denies price-fixing and is appealing the fine.

The suit also names Grolsch NV and Bavaria NV, which were fined smaller amounts by the EU and are also appealing,

“We tried to reach a settlement before moving to a lawsuit, but (the brewers) didn’t want to talk seriously to us,” Van der Klis said.

A fourth brewer, InBev SA, was exempted from EU fines because it blew the whistle on several European beer cartels after regulators caught it fixing prices in Belgium. Klis said the Dutch association was in talks with InBev over a settlement.
Heineken spokeswoman Vivi Hollert said it was company policy not to comment. The suit had been widely expected: EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes directly invited the association to seek damages at the time she levied the fines,

“The management of these companies at the very highest level participated in this cartel … knowing that this behavior was illegal,” Kroes said then. “Instead of respecting the law, they instead covered their tracks.
The companies coordinated prices for beer that customers buy in bars and the beer they buy from supermarkets, even for cheaper ‘no brand’ private label beers,” the EU’s executive arm said in the April decision.

Executives used code names to refer to secret meetings held in hotels and restaurants, the EU said. Under European law, executives are not personally liable for taking part in a cartel. Heineken’s first half earnings fell by 30 percent to 302 million (US$413 million) due to the fine. Chief Executive Jean-Francois van Boxmeer–who did not lead the company at the time the alleged price-fixing occurred in 1996-1999–acknowledged in August that the company had held meetings with its competitors.

“But we contest that led to any pricing agreements,” he said.

He predicted appeals of the EU fine would last until 2010, and said he doubted any civil suits would be successful in the interim. Van der Klis of the Horeca association said it was also seeking to force the brewers to lower their current prices,

“It’s incredible that it costs more for bars, who are wholesale buyers, to purchase beer than it does for consumers in the supermarket,” he said.

Asked why the bars do not simply buy their beer in a supermarket, he replied,

“Some do.” But he added that did not make sense in terms of logic or logistics, and that many bars are bound by contract to purchase their beer directly from Heineken. “They’re afraid of being cut off completely if they violate those terms,” he said.

At bars in Amsterdam, a 33 centiliter (11.2 ounce) glass of Heineken from the tap usually costs around 2.00 (US$2.40). A 30 centiliter (10.1 ounce) bottle costs around 0.50 (US$0.70) when purchased in a crate of 24 at the supermarket.

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Popularity: 11% [?]

Israel Beer Breweries, Carlsberg beer’s producer in Israel, recalled on Sunday evening all the 330ml beer bottles with an expiry date of September 11, 2008 for fear they may contain glass shards due to a malfunction at the factory in charge of producing the glass bottles.

The company informed the Health Ministry on the matter and reported that it planned to recall the bottles. The ministry asked the public to exercise caution when consuming the beer. The company believes that only a small number of bottles may contain the suspected glass shards.

“Out of public responsibility, Israel Beer Breweries is operating as quickly and possible and in coordination with the Health Ministry to remove these products from the selves,” the company said in a statement.

The company called on consumers who purchased such bottles to return them to the stores or call customer service at 1-800-338-844 in order to return the product and receive a different one in return.

The company added that it,

“apologizes for the discomfort caused to the public, and thanks its consumers for their understanding and cooperation.”

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Popularity: 11% [?]

Iron City beer is flowing again in Pittsburgh. The new Iron City Brewing Company (ICB) has opened its doors at 3340 Liberty Ave. New owners Unified Growth Partners have given the management team a face lift as well as providing hefty financial backing (the brewery is also rebuilding its pasteurizer, cleaning the Ober Haus and replacing equipment). Formerly called Pittsburgh Brewing Company, ICB has adopted the name the brewery was originally founded under in 1861.

ICB is investing $4.1 million in capital improvements,

“A major project is to modernize with a new automated keg filling system. Also, we’re moving from a 1950’s coal fired boiler to a gas boiler. It’s a tremendous savings, and will be more of a green facility,” says Tim Hickman, ICB’s new president. “There’s a lot of plant maintenance—a laundry list of little things.”

After running at half production for eight months, ICB has resumed full operations with 102 employees,

“We’d love to recall close to 148 employees,” adds Hickman, who says the brewery’s goal is to sell 327,000 barrels in 2008, which would be a thirty-percent increase over 2006.

To promote its now legendary Iron City and Augustiner products, the folks at Unified Growth Partners are also stepping up their branding efforts,

“We want to get into the craft brew market in 2008,” adds Hickman, who says brew master Mike Carota has been with ICB for 31 years. “We’re looking at our packaging to make sure it comes from recycled products.”

The 146-year old brewery boasts a number of noteable beer industry firsts,  from reportedly* brewing the first American lager (*this has been debated), to introducing the first twist-off cap, snap top can and aluminum bottle.

“We’d love to make it a destination place for folks from out of town,” adds Hickman, who says the brewery is open for tours.

Popularity: 17% [?]

It appears that the thieves who made off with two tractor-trailers of Moosehead beer from a warehouse in Mississauga, Ont., who we reported about on Wednesday, prefer bottles to cans. Police recovered the two trailers on Friday (after they went missing on Sept 19th); however, while one trailer with 70,000 cans of Moosehead Lager appears to have been untouched, 44,000 bottles were cleaned out of the second trailer. No arrests have yet been made.

A company spokesman advises Moosehead drinkers to stock up, because it could be next week before their beer supply is replenished.

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Popularity: 9% [?]

Heineken USA President Andy Thomas has resigned, citing differences with the Dutch parent of the U.S. importer of beer brands such as Heineken Lager, Tecate and Dos Equis. Thomas told the press,

“This decision has been difficult for me… However, it has gradually become apparent that the company and I do not share exactly the same perspectives on the business. We have therefore mutually and amicably concluded that this is the best way forward. I know that Heineken USA will continue to enjoy success and I look forward to starting a new stage in my career.”

Thomas will be replaced as president by Don Blaustein, the company’s current senior VP of sales.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Thieves made off with more than 110,000 bottles and cans of Moosehead beer from a Toronto-area transport facility in the second heist to target the brewer in three years, the company said Wednesday. 

Moosehead reported that the theft took place early Wednesday morning at a plant in Mississauga, Ont. Early reports indicate the thieves stole two tractors from a nearby trucking compound and then hitched them to trailers containing 70,000 cans and 44,000 bottles of beer, the brewery said. Moosehead estimates the retail value of the beer at about $200,000 ($197,005 US Dollars).

Well, at least the beer bandits had half-way decent taste…

Popularity: 11% [?]

(press release) World’s First Online Consumer Guide To Quality Drinks And Service

NEW YORK, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ — In an innovative industry collaboration, Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks business with hallmark brands including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, J&B, Cuervo, Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, announced today that it has joined with Zagat Survey, the world’s leading provider of consumer survey-based content, to launch drinkwell(TM) (www.idrinkwell.com), the first online resource guide to restaurants that are dedicated to serving the highest quality drinks and drink service.

“When people go out they often start the evening with cocktails, and that experience — good or bad — can set the mood for the entire night,” said Steve Wallet, vice president of Channel Marketing for Diageo. “At Diageo our leadership and knowledge in the area of spirits, beer and wine is second to none. drinkwell(TM) combines Diageo’s expertise with Zagat’s, and the industry’s foremost mixologists, to create a one-of-a-kind online resource for consumers seeking a complete quality dining and drinks experience.”

Visitors to www.idrinkwell.com will have free access to the ratings that Zagat surveyors have given to the hundreds of drinkwell(TM) establishments across the country, based on the quality of drinks, service, atmosphere and cost.

“Eating is only one part of the consumer experience when visiting a restaurant,” said Tim Zagat, Co-chair and CEO of Zagat Survey. “The creation of drinkwell(TM) gives consumers a new way to make informed decisions about where to find the best drinks and service.”

drinkwell(TM) has partnered with several world-renowned beverage experts including Dale DeGroff, Steve Olson, Paul Pacult, Dave Wondrich and Doug Frost, to develop the drinkwell(TM) Academy Staff Training Program for participating establishments. drinkwell(TM) — accredited establishments are identified by a special black and brushed metal plaque, in the same way the burgundy Zagat Survey decal denotes a Zagat-rated restaurant.

Inaugural drinkwell(TM) establishments are currently located in the following markets and will be nationwide by the end of 2007:

*Atlanta*Minneapolis/St. Paul*Chicago*New York City*Cincinnati*Philadelphia*Cleveland*San Diego*Dallas/Fort Worth*San Francisco/Bay Area*Houston*South Florida*Long Island*Westchester/Hudson Valley*Los Angeles/Southern California

drinkwell(TM) reminds you to please drink responsibly. Diageo is a founding member and major supporter of The Century Council, an organization funded by the country’s leading distillers committed to developing programs to combat drunk driving and underage drinking. For more information, please visit www.centurycouncil.org.

About Zagat Survey, LLC

Known as the “wildly popular” “burgundy bible”, Zagat Survey is the world’s leading provider of consumer survey based content about where to eat, drink, stay and play. With more than 300,000 surveyors worldwide, Zagat Survey rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment categories and is lauded as the “most up-to-date,” “comprehensive” and “reliable” guide ever published. Zagat content is available to consumers wherever and whenever they need it: in book format, on ZAGAT.com, via mobile devices with ZAGAT.mobi and ZAGAT TO GO for smartphones. For more information, visit ZAGAT.com.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business. With its global vision, and local marketing focus, Diageo brings to consumers an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across the spirits, wine and beer categories including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, J&B, Cuervo, Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo trades in some 180 countries around the world and is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit www.diageo.com.

Contact:

Zsoka McDonald, Diageo
203-229-4730
Zsoka.Mcdonald@diageo.com

Elizabeth Tierney
Taylor, for Diageo
212-714-1280
ltierney@taylorpr.com

Popularity: 18% [?]

Cuban lager Bucanero has been launched in the UK under the name Cubanero Fuerte.

The classic lager was rebranded for the UK market by UK beer importer Pierhead Purchasing because of copyright issues over the original name.

Pierhead, which imported the beer in response to the growing popularity of Cuba as a holiday destination for the British, will sell Cubanero Fuerte (5.4% abv) in 33cl  (11.16 oz) bottles. 

Michael Cook, Pierhead’s director of imported beer said:

“Cubanero is one of the only Cuban beers available in the UK and offers a unique drinking experience. As Southern and Central American brands are flourishing, authentic beers from the Caribbean, like Cubanero Fuerte, have the character and quality to enjoy similar growth.”

Popularity: 12% [?]

“If there is one thing a brewer loves more than great beer - it is great food and great beer. For us exploring beer flavors and food combinations has been a long held passion. So we can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 20th anniversary than by launching our new Brewmaster’s Dinner menu at our Pub. We have been doing Brewmaster dinners for over 15 years and now the completion of our new kitchen and the very enthusiastic involvement of our brewers and chef enables us to celebrate the marriage of food and beer in our own way,” said Irene Firmat, Full Sail’s CEO & Founder.

Full Sail Brewing Co. in Hood River, OR is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a complete line of Brewmaster’s Dinners at their pub in Hood River,

Every Thursday night Full Sail will present a Brewmaster’s menu that takes you through four different courses with a special beer pairing. The menu will change based on the seasonality of the ingredients and the release of the brewery’s seasonal and reserve programs.

The Brewmaster’s Dinners will begin on Full Sail’s 20th Anniversary date, Thursday, September 27, 2007, and continue every Thursday evening. The cost of the dinner including beer is $20 per person. The menu will be served from 4:00PM to 8:00PM. Quantities are limited. (Full Sail’s regular menu will also be available.) For more information about the dinners call the Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub at 541-386-2247 or visit their website, www.fullsailbrewing.com

Popularity: 14% [?]

Cobra Beer, founded by entrepreneur Lord Karan Bilimoria, is planning a major expansion in India with the acquisition of an existing brewery and the building of a new one. Lord Bilimoria told media on Sunday,

“Talks are currently at an advanced stage for acquisition of the brewery and once acquisition process is over we will upgrade it to our specifications,” 

The UK-based Cobra Beer, which has an annual turnover of 126 million pounds (about 253 million USD) and is exporting to 50 countries worldwide, started its operations in Rajasthan at the Shivalika Brewery in January 2005.

Popularity: 7% [?]