Good News for Liquor Licence Holders in South Africa

Liquor Licence - Good news for liquor licence holders is that SAB (now InBev) is to invest $150m in South Africa.   The world’s largest beer producer will bring Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois beer to Africa – via South Africa.   This will increase the number of liquor products which liquor licence holders can offer to the public.   

It should also benefit the beer drinking public as they will be paying less for these beers, which have been imported to date.   This is part of InBev’s campaign to bring low alcohol products to the African market.  On the other hand, one can expect that the growing market of craft beer lovers will pull up their noses at low alcohol beers, such as Budweiser.   One such afficionado described it as follows : "Safer to drink than water in some instances, but that’s about all it’s good for".  There's only one way to know and that's by supporting your local liquor licence outlet and trying it out! 

(Article by LiquorWise, sourced from http://www.fastmoving.co.za)

Liquor Licence Holders in Hospitality Industry

Liquor Laws - The much criticised Liquor Amendment Bill has come under fire again, this time from the hospitality industry.   The thousands of concerned liquor licence holders in the hospitality industry will be pleased by the recent comments of the Fedhasa CEO.   He used words like “unfavourable”, “we need answers”, “un -pragmatic”, “not well thought-out” and “The passing of this bill, as it stands will be monumentally disruptive to the industry”.

The Bill is rumoured to be on the Agenda of the Cabinet’s meeting in August. 

Please watch this space for our next article on this very important proposed liquor law.

(From Bizcommunity Article – 17 May 2017). 

Liquor Global Stats - Surprising

Liquor - Liquor statistics for global markets surprised a lot of people.   We compiled a selection for our South African readers below.   A lot more is available on request.

• China - remains the world’s largest alcoholic liquor market in the world, nearly twice that of the USA.  
• South East Asian - the fastest growing liquor market in the world.
• Europe - features 9 out of the top 10 countries for liquor consumption per person
• Stout  -  is the fastest growing type of beer globally with SA the 6^th largest (our only top 10 position)
• Wine  - market is growing again after 5 years. 
• Gin – Phillipines leads the world, followed by the USA and Nigeria
• Vodka – Since 2002, Russian consumption has halved, while US consumption has doubled - surprised?

Contact LiquorWise for liquor statistics.  If we don’t have it, we’ll find it!

(From a www.bizcommunity.com article – 15 May 2017)

Liquor Board Answers Questions

Liquor Board - The Western Cape Liquor Licensing Tribunal answered pressing questions relating to liquor licence applications at a recent meeting with attorneys and consultants.  Some of the issues highlighted were :

• Training : All managers have to attend a prescribed training course;
• Temporary Applications : The controversial 50 - day application period may still be implemented.   It will mean that applications have to be lodged more than 2 months before the event it is required for.  We'll keep our readers posted;
• New Regulations : The Liquor Authority was hopeful to finalise the new regulations by June 2017.

Contact LiquorWise for more detail on other questions, such as when wine shelves may be moved around in a supermarket. 

LiquorWise will continue to engage with Liquor Licensing Authorities on proposed changes in liquor licensing laws and report on such changes.