Alcohol Beverages Australia (ABA) has dismissed calls for plain packaging for alcohol, which have been made in response to a new study on the effectiveness of graphic anti-alcohol advertisements. The report showed that advertisements warning of an increased risk in cancer when consuming alcohol were rated most effective in deterring alcohol consumption. However, ABA Executive Director Fergus Taylor s...

The Drinks Industry Show returns for its second year at the iconic waterfront venue Crystal Palace, Luna Park Sydney 26th – 27th June 2017. This year, the theme is Innovation, and every facet of the show reflects this. 

Over 20 Australian speakers will present as part of the program and will share their knowledge, discuss the future of the industry, provide skills development and insight into the latest ...

The 'Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular' (GABS) was co-founded in 2011 by Steve Jaffares and Guy Greenstone, the pair also behind The Local Taphouse beer temples and Stomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall.    The simple idea of inviting Australia’s most exciting craft breweries to brew and release a brand new beer at one mass event has grown to become an annual highlight on the indus...

New Sydney craft brewery Philter has just launched, founded by ex-sales and marketing team member for Lion and Beam Suntory, Stefan Constantoula, along with friend and fellow Marrickville local, Mick Neil. Helming the brewery is Sam Füss, renowned in the industry as one of Australia’s first female brewers. Sam brings to Philter over 16 years of experience, including Head Brewer positions at ...

The World Association of Wine Writers and Journalists (WAWWJ) has awarded Taylors Wines ‘2016 Wine of the Year’ for its 2012 Taylors St Andrews Shiraz. First founded in 1996, WAWWJ represents 80 countries, consisting of 13,500 wine journalists, judges and bloggers. The World Ranking Wines and Spirits (WRWS) is commissioned and evaluated by the WAWWJ every year to develop an internation...

Jim Beam has been announced as the first Official Spirit of the AFL. The deal is a huge win for Coca-Cola Amatil. Last year’s Toyota AFL Premiership Season alone drew a total of 6,306,336 attendees and reached a gross cumulative television audience of 18,368,505. The new partnership will be supported by a $7 million marketing campaign throughout the 2017 Finals Series. This will include ev...

  Consumer goods consultancy and drinks association Corporate Partner, Real World Marketing, has announced the launch of the Australian Grocery Academy, a training program designed to build the skills and capabilities of FMCG suppliers and manufacturers. Created in partnership with the Australian Food and Grocery Council, the Academy aims to boost the skillset of the next generation of commerci...

Oatley Fine Wine Merchants (OFWM) has welcomed Pikes and Josef Chromy Wines to its portfolio of family-owned wineries. Fine Wine Partners had previously distributed the brands, but that agreement changed when Accolade Wines bought the Australian wine business, owned by Lion, late last year. Founded in 1984, Pikes is a wholly family-owned company producing wines out of the Clare Valley in South...

The New South Wales Wine Industry Association (NSWWIA)  has welcomed Angus Barnes as Acting Executive Officer following the announcement of Stuart McGrath-Kerr's retirement. McGrath-Kerr held the role of Executive Officer for the past 20 years, overseeing great change and growth in the state’s wine industry. His contributions included the creation of the NSW Wine brand and raising its p...

Hope McMurdy has announced she is stepping down as General Manager of the drinks association. Hope made the decision earlier this month after being diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. Hope successfully fought breast cancer in 2015 and was appointed to the role of GM in January, 2016. "the drinks association team sends our thoughts and best wishes to Hope as she tackles this challenge w...