Melbourne/London: SAB Miller said it would keep talking to Foster’s Group after Australia’s largest brewer rejected the global giant’s A$9.5 billion (€6.9bn) cash takeover offer as too low.

HEINEKEN has marginally upgraded its full-year profit forecast for 2009on the back of a more stable-than-expected third quarter.

STRONG sales of Beamish, Coors and speciality beer brands helped Heineken Ireland increase its turnover by 35% to €211 million in the first half of the year.

A CORK publican has called time on a Kerry hostelry’s claims to have the cheapest pints in the country.

Brewer and winemaker Fosters Group Ltd has reported an 88% fall in its annual profits but declined to provide guidance for the 2009 fiscal year while the Australian company conducts a strategic review of its troubled wine operations.

A MANAGEMENT buyout at the Beamish & Crawford brewery in Cork could be the final resolution to concerns raised by the Irish Competition Authority to Heineken’s proposed €10.5 partial billion takeover of Scottish & Newcastle.

BEAMISH & CRAWFORD, which froze its draught prices last year due to falling demand in the pubs, had a reasonable first-half in a declining market, a spokeswoman said.

Beamish and Crawford has extended a freeze on its wholesale prices in an effort to take more business away from Diageo.

United States brewer Coors today unveiled plans to launch a lower-alcohol version of the lager in time for Christmas.

Brewing giant Foster’s today said that higher annual profits from sales of beer overseas had been eroded by a sharp drop in US wine trade.

THE Government last night warned brewers and publicans they will do serious damage to the tourism industry if they go ahead with a combined 15 cent hike in the price of a pint.

An economic slowdown, extra taxes and higher insurance and staff costs made 2003 a difficult year, says David Clerkin.

EU regulators today approved brewer Scottish & Newcastle’s purchase of cider producer HP Bulmers Holdings.

WORKERS in Beamish & Crawford’s new €7m bottling plant looking for a €170 pay rise are voting this week on a Labour Court recommended increase of €77 a week.

BEAMISH & Crawford is investing €7million to replace its bottling facility which packages its own stout brand name plus Miller Genuine Draft, Fosters and Carling for the Irish and Northern Irish market.