Geoff Percival Drinks group C&C has prematurely pulled the plug on its US distribution deal with brewer Pabst, firmly putting paid to any near-term sale of the Irish cider-maker’s American operations.

Executive pay levels at Irish drinks group C&C fell nearly 15% in its last financial year, to just over €2.2m, after management missed yearly performance targets resulting in non-payment of bonuses.

C&C Group expects to post a 10.4% reduction in operating profits when it publishes its latest annual results in May.