Drinks giant Diageo will be launching Chinese Baijiu white spirit Shui Jing Fang to the UK after buying the drink's largest shareholder.
The 600 year old drink will be available in four variations, starting at £115.43 for a 500ml bottle with 61% ABV strength.
Originally consumed by royalty and the upper classes, Baijui is consumed as fine wine, in small 5ml cups, slightly warmed or at room temperature, to heighten flavours of Chinese food. ~ 9 Jul
The Knutsford based Living Ventures group have announced plans to open a London branch of The Oast House, with potential locations in the capital or Edinburgh also being mooted for a second Australasia.
The company are also set to open a second Alchemist just off Piccadilly Gardens and hope to bring Manchester its first Michelin Star with Manchester House, a new fine dining restaurant next to The Oast House, with chef Aiden Byrne rumoured to be lined up. ~ 5 July
Dutch premium lager, Grolsch, which is brewed in the UK by Molson Coors, is set to be revitalised in bars from 2nd July.
Together with new style glassware, the famous 275ml green bottle will be replaced with a larger 330ml version following research that says drinkers of world lagers were more likely to buy the bigger bottles.
Drinkers will also be glad to learn that the price per milliliter will also be less with the new bottles. ~ 5 Jul
Premium drinks importer Drinks21 have released Ice Cognac to the UK bar trade.
Produced by French distiller ABK6, the brandy is specifically designed to be served over ice cubes, its fruity flavours highlighted when in contact with the cold water from the ice, giving hints of lemon sorbet and mint.
Interestingly though, like with Champagne, brandy should only be called 'Cognac' if made in the Cognac region of France. ABK6 are actually located near Grenoble, some eight hours away. ~ 3 Jul
Motorists in France now have to carry two breathalyser kits in their vehicles after new laws came into force on 1st July aimed at reducing drink-drive related deaths.
British motorists heading to the Continent have a four-month grace period but anyone failing to produce a breathalyser after November 1st will receive an €11 fine.
The French drink-driving limit is 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - substantially less than the UK limit of 80mg. ~ 1 July
After the council, with advice from police, revoked the licence of Bar Code in the former Aqua unit near Deansgate Locks, a new application has been submitted to re-open the club. ~ 20th July 2012
MediaCityUK in Salford Quays has its first outdoor bar, just in time for the double-side Olympics screening, in the form of the pop-up Dock Bar, operated by Mancunian events specialists Fluid Bars. ~ 17th July 2012
A new cocktail bar, Liquorice, is set to replace Destino's on Pall Mall, off King Street, on 13th July . ~ 6th July
Replacing the excellent but incredibly short-lived Sole soul bar, hidden away in the Northern Quarter, comes Solita bar and grill. ~ 6th July
Former Living Ventures director Paul Newman and chef David Mooney, who also own The Lord Binning in Kelsall, have spent £250,000 in transforming The Red Cow in Knutsford into the Old Sessions House. ~ 5th July
The latest in a growing line of bars to be shut down by police following violence, Sugar Buddhaon Deansgate Locks, has been handed back its licence by the council on agreement that it employs a new Designated Premises Supervisor and a different security firm. ~ 4th July 2012
21 branch Bristol chain, Loungers are set to open in Liverpool this year with two Manchester branches following shortly after. The informal food led cafe bars are similar in concept to Simple or The Banyan Tree. ~ 2nd July
