Global Drinks Intel Magazine – October 2026

In the October issue of Global Drinks Intel magazine:

• We spend some time in the on-premise this month, starting off in Europe, where the channel is showing signs of an upturn, although costs continue to rise, consumers have tightened their spend and premiumisation is coming under intense pressure
• There’s also a look at how the on-premise should be leveraged by alcohol-free beverage brands to capitalise on the rising thirst for moderation among consumers
• These straitened times bode well for bulk spirits, an area of our industry that, despite its ‘cheaper’ reputation, is becoming a much more important part of the growth puzzle
• We head to Germany for this issue’s market focus, with the country’s drinkers evolving their habits, resulting in beer, wine and spirits all struggling to maintain their shares of throat
• Speaking of Germany, there’s a preview of the Bar Convent Berlin trade show, which returns to the country’s capital on Monday 12 October for three days
• Our interview pages feature editor Olly Wehring’s one-to-ones with Wine GB CEO Nicola Bates, the co-founder & CEO of alcohol-free beer brand Bero, John Herman, and Joel Matticks, the export promotions manager at the Distilled Spirits Council of the US

All this, plus our regular round-up of the latest alcohol news stories and brand owner marketing activities, as well as the most recent product launches in spirits, backed by commentary from drinks marketing expert Chris Tyas and on-premise data whizz Charlie Mitchell.