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Suntory Global Innovation Centre has announced plans to conduct experiments from outer space on the “development of mellowness in alcoholic beverages through the use of a microgravity environment.” The research will be undertaken inside the International Space Station’s Japanese Experiment Module (nicknamed “Kibo”) with cooperation from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Suntory hopes findings will help uncover the underlying mechanisms that result in the “mellowing” of alcohol with age, ...

Fully underway for 2015, the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge has completed its first two regional finals, with winners named in both South and Western Australia. The two heats took place this past week with Joe Sinagra from Bobeche and Roman Tazdhynov from Bibliotheca taking out the WA and SA comps respectively. Both Sinagra and Tazdhynov have now earned spots in the National Final, taking place in Sydney 31 August, where ...

The New South Wales Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) has announced an open “have your say” forum for feedback on the current 10pm take-away liquor sales restriction across rural and regional NSW. The call for opinion opens as the body commences a Government review of the policy. In February 2014, the NSW Government introduced the state-wide 10pm restriction on take-away liquor sales in a measure designed to reduce alcohol-related violence and anti-social ...

St Agnes has launched into the luxury market with the release of two ultra-premium XOs – the XO Imperial 20 Year Old and XO Grand Reserve 40 Year Old. The two XOs will be officially released 8 August, a date which marks the brand’s 90th anniversary. The XOs join the already widely available XO 15 Year Old. Richard Angove of St Agnes Brandy, says the company is excited to raise ...

Following a new agreement with brand owner Roust, Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has confirmed that Russian Standard Vodka will be added to their distribution portfolio. From August 3, the Russian Standard Vodka range (comprising seven SKUs) will further boost CCA’s newly integrated portfolio, which also now holds a range of luxury Japanese whisky brands from Beam Suntory, including Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki. “Today’s discerning consumers are looking for quality and choice and our ...

Yenda-based Australian Beer Company will launch a new, limited edition Boilermaker beer next week; a craft innovation that spent nine months in a think tank before being brewed in collaboration with renowned spirits ambassadors from CCA’s The Exchange team. A unique small-batch beer with only 280 cases produced, Yenda Green Hop has been engineered strictly to be sold as a Boilermaker serve with Highland Park 12-Year-Old Single Malt in a ...

Formed from the spicy sweet flavour combination that has long been a staple of Mexican cuisine, Patrón’s latest SKU, Patrón XO Cafe Incendio, recognises a growing enthusiasm for intense pairings with an innovative fiery-hot chile chocolate liqueur. Still true to a Mexican heritage, Patrón XO Cafe Incendio combines the distinctive flavour of arbol chile with Criollo chocolate, both set to Patrón Silver tequila. Chile de arbol is a small and ...

The Australian Government has negotiated a new labour agreement to provide increased flexibility for hospitality industry workers, adding skilled migration positions for cooks and chefs. Trade waiter positions are also expected to be included in the skilled migration additions following national endorsement of the occupation. The industry labour agreement provides a tailored skilled migration arrangement for employers with specific occupation needs, defining employer obligations and the skills, qualifications and English ...

The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society has announced the launch of the Australian Women in Wine Awards, acknowledging the work of women in the Australian wine industry. The awards - the first of their kind in Australia - will offer four categories to be judged by an Advisory Board made up of some of the industry’s leading female talent, including Jane Thomson - Founder and Managing Director of The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine ...

Hugo’s Lounge, a popular hangout and high-profile King’s Cross stalwart has announced plans to close as early as next week after being placed into voluntary administration. The closing comes after a significant decline in revenue (owner Dave Evans stated as high as 60%), since the tightening of area specific alcohol restrictions from 2012. Further hits levied from 2014 lockout legislation put the company into a cost-saving state, reducing trading hours ...