November 25, 2025: EU-US trade talks, Campari to sell Averna, Braulio and Zedda Piras, and other news
EU and US meetings, Campari to offload three famous Italian brands, Roseisle Maltings paused, AB in Bev to buy US RTD producer, Brown-Forman new Baltic partner, Australian spirits and more...
The Spirits Post is an international press review about the spirits industry brought to you by Eugenia Torelli, an Italian spirits journalist and judge. If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, you can subscribe here to receive it directly in your inbox:
Good morning everyone!
I’ve been a bit inconsistent lately, having joined the Falstaff Italia editorial team a few weeks ago. It’s taking some time to adapt to the new workload. Thank you for your patience.
Here is a quick press review featuring the most significant pieces of news I’ve found in the media recently.
EU-US trade talks relaunched yesterday
After a two-month pause, the EU-US trade negotiations started again yesterday in Brussels. The US appears to be hinging the lowering of import tariffs on aluminium and steel on the EU adopting a “balanced approach” to digital rules. Whisk(e)y doesn’t seem to be explicitly mentioned at the moment.
You can read the news by Philip Blenkinsop in Reuters:
US demands ‘balanced’ EU digital rules before it cuts steel tariffs
If you’d like to watch the complete press briefing, you can find it in DWS News’s Youtube channel:
…and here is SpiritsEurope’s press release on the talks:
Campari seeks to sell Averna, Braulio and Zedda Piras
According to market whispers, Campari is seeking buyers for three of its historic Italian liqueur brands: Averna, Braulio, and Zedda Piras. This operation is in line with the company’s ongoing strategy to divest minor brands and focus on more profitable core assets. These three brands generate a combined annual revenue of €80 million.
The news was reported by Francesco Bertolino e Daniela Polizzi for Corriere della Sera
Campari mette sul mercato tre amari storici italiani: in vendita Averna, Braulio e mirto Zedda Piras
Diageo pauses Roseisle Maltings
The multinational group Diageo has decided to halt operations at its malting facilities in Roseisle, Speyside, Scotland, until at least next June. The decision was made in order to “balance capacity against current demand.”
You can read Henry Mathieu’s article in Global Drinks Intel:
AB InBev nears acquisition of US RTD producer
According to The Wall Street Journal, beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is in negotiations to buy the US-based RTD producer BeatBox Beverages. The value of the deal is reported to be around $700 million.
You can read the news in Laura Cooper, Ben Dummett and Lauren Thomas’es article in The Wall Street Journal (subscription required):
Anheuser-Busch InBev Nears $700 Million Deal for Party Punch Maker BeatBox
or in Henry Mathieu’s article in Global Drinks Intel:
Brown-Forman appoints Liviko as exclusive Baltic Partner
Global firm Brown-Forman has appointed Liviko as its exclusive representative across all Baltic countries.
News by Eleanor Yates in Drinks International:
Something to read
Making whisky and sugar beet spirits in Australia
Ross Shaw is a farmer growing crops and running livestock in Victoria, Australia. He recently started distilling spirits from cereals and sugar beet.
Faith Tabalujan tells his story in ABC News Australia:
Victorian farmer crafts unique spirits from sugar beet and red wheat
That’s all for today!
I’ll see you soon ;)
Don’t forget to send me your comments and thoughts: