Inside Rounton Coffee: ‘Getting beans to Britain is anything but easy’
Food Manufacture takes a behind-the-scenes look at independent roaster Rounton Coffee and what it takes to source and produce its Great Taste award winning products.
Beverages
Paper‑based bottles at scale are drawing closer
Fibre-based bottles are edging closer to a mainstream reality, with a cross industry collective including PulPac, PA Consulting and Diageo leading the way.
Harviestoun kicks off brewery expansion with six-figure investment
Independent craft brewer Harviestoun has begun the first phase of a strategic investment programme centred around its Alva brewery.
Matcha mania: The latest wave of green tea NPD
Brands race to innovate as matcha continues to gain ground in UK and US markets, with new launches from Alpro and Forest Feast among others.
The hands that pick the tea should share in its prosperity
Tea is one of the world’s most widely consumed beverages, connecting millions of consumers to tea gardens across Asia and Africa. Yet the majority female skilled workforce behind it often remains invisible.
Keurig Dr Pepper appoints Rafael Oliveira as CEO of new coffee giant
The announcement comes as Keurig Dr Pepper completes the acquisition of JDE Peet’s
The latest drinks NPDs creating a buzz ahead of summer
Our latest new product round-up includes new launches from Tropicana, Bio&Me, and Carlsberg Britvic.
AG Barr looks forward to strong 2026 after major acquisitions
Drinks manufacturer AG Barr is hailing a period of ‘strong financial delivery and strategic progress’ with the release of its full-year results.
Nestlé gearing up to sell 50% stake in water business
The FMCG giant has marched ahead with a deal to sell a large stake in its water business which includes brands such as Perrier and San Pellegrino.
Fever-Tree profits hit by UK EPR and US Molson Coors transition
The premium drinks brand has seen its UK revenue fall as a result of costs associated with Extended Producer Responsibility and disruption from the US arm’s partnership with Molson Coors.
Experts dispel fruit juice myths with new research
A new study has revealed that 100% orange juice moderates blood sugar rises, prompting experts to highlight different between natural vs added sugars.
New product development
New beverage launches: Grey Goose Prada, Stoli RTD, Faccia and more…
Brands across alcohol, non‑alcohol and functional hydration are rolling out premium innovations, collaborations and reformulations that tap into fashion crossovers, natural ingredients and elevated at‑home drinking trends
BrewDog and Innis & Gunn: What next for the UK’s embattled craft beer darlings?
Financial experts have their say on what the future holds for BrewDog and Innis & Gunn as both firms are picked up in rescue deals.
Budweiser to announce new UK business unit president
The news comes as the chief executive officer of Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I transitions into a new leadership role within AB InBev.
Over 100 jobs to be cut as Tennent’s owner buys Innis & Gunn out of administration
Tennent’s owner C&C Group has bought Scottish craft beer firm Innis & Gunn out of administration, with more than 100 jobs now set to be lost.
Inside BrewDog’s downfall
Following a long-winded downturn of events, with the departure of both founders, closures, and mounting debt, BrewDog was sold earlier this week for just £33 million. Food Manufacture examines what led to its collapse.
How Diageo will push its premium power - without the premium price tag
Forget all the noise about alcohol-free and GLP-1 drugs: the fundamental problem for spirits is people have less money to spend, says Diageo CEO Dave Lewis
Heineken hires Mars Petcare chief information officer
Heineken has appointed Romain Apert as its new chief digital and technology officer.
Brewdog sold for £33M, with over 480 to lose jobs
Cannabis and wellness giant Tilray Brands has purchased Brewdog following a period of financial strain for the Scottish drinks firm.
Molson Coors to close Sharp’s Brewery and slash 200 UK jobs
Canadian-American brewing giant Molson Coors is set to shutter Sharp’s Brewery in Cornwall by the end of the year, putting 200 jobs at risk.
Denmark’s Royal Unibrew considers Brewdog acquisition
Danish brewing powerhouse Royal Unibrew is reportedly mulling over a bid to acquire all, or part of Brewdog’s operations.
Carling revives ‘Black Label’ for UK market
Carling is set to resurrect its iconic ‘Black Label’ brand, re-launching it on the UK market since for the first time since withdrawing it in 1997.
Brewdog workers to protest in Aberdeen city centre over ‘poor treatment’ amid ongoing sale saga
The protest comes as the ailing firm looks to secure a much-needed buyer this week, after it was put up for sale earlier this month following a period of repeated financial hardships.
Ribena owner to invest £25M into ‘cutting edge’ new tech at Gloucestershire site
International drinks giant Suntory is set to invest £25 million into a new manufacturing line at its Coleford factory in Gloucestershire.
Heineken launches Cruzcampo ‘Sevilla Orange’ on UK market ahead of summer
Brewing giant Heineken is set to launch a new variant of its Cruzcampo beer, expanding its British portfolio.
James Watt pledges £10M in last-ditch Brewdog rescue attempt
Brewdog’s former CEO and co-founder James Watt is set to pour £10 million of his own money into the business as part of a rescue bid.
Double pour: Why did AG Barr snap up Fentimans and Frobishers?
Earlier this month, AG Barr purchased two adult soft drinks brands for a combined total of £51 million. But what’s driven the double acquisition?
Fanta launches new flavour for the UK market
Coca-Cola-owned soft drink brand Fanta is set to launch a new flavour to complement its existing UK portfolio.
Vimto unveils fan’s edition drink to boost impulse buys
The drinks company has unveiled plans to launch a new limited-edition Vimto range this spring, co-created with the soft drink’s fans.
What’s next for plant-based functional beverages?
The plant-based beverage market has come a long way in just a few years. What began as a category largely focused on catering for dairy avoiders and protein seekers has matured into something far more nuanced, writes Linnaea Peterse, dairy food category...
Scottish brewery seeks £250K to boost expansion
Loch Lomond Brewery has launched a new crowdfunding campaign on CrowdCube in a bid to support the next stage of its expansion.
Why can’t Coca-Cola sell Costa?
Experts have their say on why Coke is struggling to shift a jewel of UK hospitality.
Brewdog put up for sale amid financial woes
Popular Scottish craft beer brand Brewdog has been put up for sale, with advisers called in last week to help find potential buyers.
PepsiCo to move into new £850M UK head office
PepsiCo’s UK branch has moved hundreds of head office staff into a new £850 million town centre office development.
What’s driving Finsbury’s bento cake push?
Last month saw Finsbury Food Group release its cake-only bento box – inspired by South Korean bento cakes which have gained traction thanks to their visual appeal on social media.
Carlsberg results bolstered by Britvic
Carlsberg has reported strong growth in its 2025 financial statement, driven by the acquisition of Britvic.
AG Barr snaps up Fentimans and Frobishers for £51M
The IRN-BRU manufacturer has acquired soft drinks and mixers brand, Fentimans, alongside Frobishers Juices Ltd, the premium natural fruit juices and soft drinks brand.
Diageo completes sale of its coffee-cream liqueur brand
Last year saw the international drinks company agreeing the sale of Sheridan’s to Casa Redondo for an undisclosed sum.
Twinings expands sparkling tea range with new peach flavour
Tea giant Twinings has unveiled a new addition to its Sparkling Tea Range, with Revive – Peach hitting shelves from today.
Monster Energy adds new ‘Viking Berry’ flavour to its ‘Juiced’ line-up
Energy drink brand Monster is ‘juicing up’ its offering with the launch of its new ‘Viking Berry’ flavour
Beyond Meat ventures into drinks market with high-protein range
Plant-based meat alternatives brand Beyond Meat is expanding into the drinks market with the launch of a protein beverage line in the US.
AG Barr chairman leaves for Hilton Foods CEO role
AG Barr’s non-executive chairman and director Mark Allen has left the Scottish beverage giant to focus on righting the Hilton Foods ship.
YouTuber claims to have ‘discovered’ Coca-Cola’s secret formula after painstaking research
Science YouTuber Labcoatz claims to have ‘perfectly’ reformulated the secret Coca-Cola recipe after a year of testing.
Heineken boss to depart
The drinks giant CEO is set to leave Heineken following a “challenging quarter”.
Devon drinks producer names new MD
Premium beverage producer LBW Drinks Ltd has appointed a new managing director following James Lambert’s departure.
Budweiser owner reacquires 49.9% stake in its US metal container plants for $3BN
Drinks giant AB InBev has exercised its right to repurchase a minority stake in the plants from a consortium of institutional investors.
Small Beer co-founder: Pioneering a category, not just a product
In Food Manufacture’s latest podcast, Bethan Grylls is joined by Felix James, the co-founder of Small Beer - a brewery leading the way in mid-strength beer production.
Campari Group sells Italian liqueur brands for £88m
Campari Group has agreed to sell its Italian liqueur brands Amaro Averna and Zedda Piras to Illva Saronno, the owner of Disaronno and Tia Maria, for €100m (£88m).
Hey Rachel, leave our milkshakes alone!
Following the expansion of the ‘sugar tax’ announced in the Budget, Mike Bagshaw, owner and founder of specialist flavour house I.T.S., argues that government needs to put more focus onto technology providers and their impact on health - and give the...
Drinks manufacturer Hydrate saved from administration
A total of 30 jobs have been saved following Sky Drinks Group’s acquisition of Hydrate Drinks Group which fell into administration.