James Bayley

As Renegade Rum Distillery searches for a new owner, those overseeing its sale argue that its greatest asset lies less in its story than in what it can become: a state-of-the-art plant with room to grow, built on relationships that could transform the fortunes of a small island developing state.

Tiger Beer is approaching the end of almost a century of brewing in Singapore, with around 130 production roles set to disappear as Heineken shifts large-scale production to Malaysia and Vietnam. Employees who have spent decades making the national beer say the change is bittersweet, but insist the brand's identity will survive the move.

Treasury Wine Estates has reported a sharp fall in annual profit and scrapped its dividend as excess stock and weaker demand continued to weigh heavily on its US business. Penfolds provided a brighter spot, with strong growth in China helping to offset deteriorating performance in the Americas.

Monster Beverage's energy drink sales jumped more than 21% in the second quarter, even as revenue from its beer, hard seltzer and flavoured malt drinks business fell 15%. The divergence offers a striking snapshot of two drinks categories heading in very different directions within the same company, just as energy drinks face greater regulatory scrutiny.

Former Accolade Wines CEO and Treasury Wine Estates COO Robert Foye says TWE has made “real progress” on the value-creation agenda he put to the board earlier this year, but argues that the company must now prove its restructuring can translate into stronger earnings, returns and commercial performance.

Diageo has taken its dispute with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to court, challenging a prohibition order against one of its popular rum brands. The drinks group argues that the regulator failed to follow due legal process and maintains that it has fully complied with Indian law.

The pace of UK brewery closures has fallen dramatically in 2026, with net losses averaging less than one brewery a week compared with almost three a week last year. SIBA says the figures offer tentative encouragement, although profitability, taxation and access to pubs remain serious concerns for independent brewers.

Former Accolade Wines CEO and Treasury Wine Estates COO Robert Foye says TWE has made “real progress” on the value-creation agenda he put to the board earlier this year, but argues that the company must now prove its restructuring can translate into stronger earnings, returns and commercial performance.

US wine imports fell sharply in both volume and value during the first half of 2026, according to analysis of customs data by the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Organisation (OIVE).

Almost every sitting at KFC and La Vieille Ferme’s forthcoming London wine bar has sold out ahead of its August bank holiday opening, with only a handful of late-evening tickets still to be released.