Diageo's investment in alcohol-free spirit maker Seedlip shows how big firms want to reach non-drinkers.
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Jill Treanor
Business reporter, BBC News
Alcohol industry
Remy Cointreau boss to leave the business
undefinedFrench spirits group Remy Cointreau said chief executive Valerie Chapoulaud-Floquet will step down by the end of the year for personal reasons.
Ms Chapoulaud-Floquet, 56, will continue her job until the arrival of a successor, the French cognac maker said.
She has been in charge of the maker of the cognac maker since September 2014.
American rappers have made Cognac cool again
For many, the word 'cognac' brings up an image of an older person drinking an amber-coloured liquid from an expensive piece of glassware, with classical music playing softly in the background. The reality is rather different. Cognac - brandy specifically from the Cognac region of France - has become more popular with American hip hop and rap fans than practically anyone else on the planet. The BBC's Elizabeth Hotson reports. (Photo: Rapper Busta Rhymes performs at the 15th Anniversary of Pass the Courvoisier at Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Credit: Moses Robinson/WireImage/Getty Images)
James Williams
BBC Wales Brexit correspondent
The Portuguese government says the charge would have "direct implications" on free trade.
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David Deans
BBC News
Plans have been held up after an EU member state - Portugal - intervened.
Read moreClare almost died from drinking too much alcohol and thinks labelling should be clearer.
Once considered a poor man's tipple, Sri Lankan spirit arrack is now a hip drink around the world.
Read moreProfits climb at pub chain despite 'political uncertainty'
Britain’s largest pub company EI Group said this morning that despite “unprecedented political uncertainty” boozers have continued to support local pubs.
The company's pre-tax profit for the six months to the end of March bubbled up to £59m from £57m a year ago.
It pocketed £332.7m in the period by flogging 348 commercial properties.
It runs more than 4,400 pubs across the country.
Its shares climbed almost 6% on the news.
Stock spends on Czech and Italian booze businesses
Drinks business Stock Spirits has splashed out €7.3m on Bartida, a Czech Republic premium spirits business.
The acquisitive alcohol firm also confirmed its agreement to pay €23.5m for Italian grappa business Distillerie Franciacorta, which had previously been announced in January.
The company said it made a profit of €5.8m in the six months to the end of March, reversing a loss of €1.4m in the previous year.
"The acquisitions in Italy and the Czech Republic are a clear sign that we are committed to delivering growth both inorganically and organically," said chief executive Mirek Stachowicz.
A happy workplace culture means better productivity, says former Saracens rugby player turned beer boss Alistair Hargreaves.