MILES PLATTING is the disengaged founder of naming rights company Lingua Franca, which matches corporate sponsors with cash-strapped towns.

Anheuser-Busch InBev has formally informed EU anti-trust regulators of its plan to sell SABMiller’s premium European brands to try to secure approval for its $100bn-plus (€876m) takeover of the London-based brewer.

Ever shared a beer with a German friend, only for them to be shocked you didn’t stare lovingly into their eyes?

Shares in Guinness maker Diageo built up a head today as investors responded to reports that Brazil’s richest man was preparing a bid for the British drinks maker.

Heineken has rebuffed a takeover approach from SABMiller.

With the annual feast of tennis at SW19 upon us, a set of videos illuminating behind the scenes of Wimbledon have been released.

A football fan was jailed for 16 weeks today after he admitted attacking a goalkeeper during a televised football match.

A football fan has admitted attacking a goalkeeper after running onto the pitch during a televised football match.

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s biggest brewer, hasreported an unexpected decline in second-quarter volume and lower profit as sales fell in the US and Europe.

The world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev, today said its net profit in the fourth quarter nearly doubled compared to the same period a year earlier thanks to strong global growth of its Budweiser and Stella Artois brands.

MAGNERS cider significantly outperformed its British peers, last month, upping its market share by more than 4% in the process.

Heineken sold less beer and cider in the UK in the first half of the year as economic weakness and low consumer confidence hit sales.

The world’s biggest brewer AB InBev today said its newly-launched Stella Artois Cidre had helped offset a 16% decline in beer volumes in the UK.

Stella Artois and Budweiser brewing giant AB InBev today toasted a World Cup boost from thirsty football fans as UK beer volumes rose by almost a fifth between April and June.

Tesco faces investors at its annual general meeting later today amid mounting pressure on the UK’s biggest supermarket.

Global brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev today looked forward to a World Cup boost and said it had shrugged off record beer duty hikes to outperform the UK market.

Supplies of Belgium’s favourite beers like Stella Artois and Leffe could start drying up next week.

Supplies of Belgium’s favourite beers such as Stella Artois and Leffe could start drying up next week.

IRISH drinks group C&C could use its newly cemented strategic agreement with industry giant, Anheuser Busch-InBev (ABI) to boost its Magners cider brand in international markets, over the long-term.

C&C has set September 25 as the date for the EGM, at which the group’s shareholders will vote on its proposed acquisition of Tennent’s Lager and the other assets within the Irish, Northern Irish and Scottish division of the Anheuser Busch-InBev brewing giant.

WHEN C&C appointed John Dunsmore, the former boss of Scottish and Newcastle, as its new head, sceptics wanted to know how he and other S&N executives appointed with him would adapt to their new-found roles at the head of Ireland’s struggling cider group.

IRISH drinks group C&C is to buy the Irish, Northern Irish and Scottish divisions of Anheuser Busch-InBev for £180 million (nearly €205m), in a move that should significantly boost group revenue.

Scotland's best-selling lager, Tennent's, was today snapped up by C&C in a deal worth £180m (€204.4m).

Drinks group C&C is to acquire the Irish, Northern Irish and Scottish businesses of Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI), including the Tennent’s brands, for £180m (€205m), the company announced this morning.

A 24-year-old Dublin man has gone on trial for the murder of a Wexford man in a Rosslare caravan park on Easter Sunday morning two years ago.

Stella Artois brewer InBev today reported a further drop in UK sales volumes, but said it had increased market share as the wider industry suffered sharper falls.

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch today agreed a US$52bn (€32.7bn) takeover bid from Stella Artois maker InBev.

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch was today mulling a US$47bn (€30.4bn) approach from Stella Artois maker InBev to create the world’s biggest beer company.

Bid speculation sent brewer SABMiller surging today amid investor hopes of an approach from Stella Artois maker InBev.

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch is planning a defence as speculation grows over a takeover approach from rival and Stella Artois firm InBev, according to reports today.

Brewer SABMiller today said soaring demand for its Polish beer brands in the UK had contributed to a 14% hike in half-year earnings.

Stella Artois brewer InBev reported disappointing third quarter figures today after dismal summer weather dented sales in Europe.

The firm behind Stella Artois was criticised by the UK advertising watchdog today for implying one family had brewed the lager for the past 600 years.

Stella Artois brewer InBev said today that beer sales plummeted during the sweltering summer as drinkers turned their backs on the “reassuringly expensive” lager.

Beer giant InBev today said the UK remained its most challenging market in western Europe, despite sales of Stella Artois recovering over the summer.

Scotland's largest independent regional brewer Belhaven is being taken over by Greene King in a £187m (€275.7m) deal, it was announced today.

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

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

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.