Drinks giant Interbew put Northern Ireland’s Bass brewery on the market tonight and warned it will close if a buyer is not found.

Rising mortgage costs and the future direction of house prices will be a major consideration for British investors this week as banks and property-based firms are among those companies due to update the market.

Interbrew has agreed to buy the Munich-based brewers of Germany's Lowenbrau brand in a deal worth €464m.

Interbrew, the Belgian beer giant which makes famous tipples including Stella Artois and Beck’s lager, today said thirsty drinkers helped grow sales by 4.5% in the first half of 2003.

Some of the lesser lights of the London market should get their chance in the spotlight this week as no blue-chip companies are scheduled to report figures. However, economic news will be prominent, with inflation figures due on Tuesday.

Belgian beer giant Interbrew today said annual profits had fallen more than 10% after disposing of its Carling brewery in the UK.

The London market had a robust end to the week today, after being boosted by a strong opening on Wall Street.

Belgian beer giant Interbrew stuck by its full-year targets today despite posting a slide in profits.

SO a certain celebrated hotel in Kerry has acted above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that our esteemed Taoiseach could sip his favoured pint during his much publicised visit to the Kingdom.

Interbrew is taking no further action against five news organisations involved in a legal dispute over leaked documents.

Interbrew is threatening journalists with arrest if they fail to hand over leaked documents.

Alfred Henry "Freddy" Heineken, who helped make his namesake beer one of the world's most popular brands, has died at the age of 78.

Belgian brewing giant Interbrew has sold Carling Brewers to US beer group Adolph Coors in a £1.2bn deal.

The European Commission today fined Belgian beer giant Interbrew £30m for taking part in beer price fixing cartels.

Interbrew plans to buy German brewer Becks for £1.1bn.

Bass plans to change its name to Six Continents after selling off its traditional brewing operations.