Southern Comfort has officially launched its most sought-after event of the year, Southern Comfort Mardi Gras.

With rugby’s Six Nations having begun last weekend, research from market analyst CGA shows the huge potential of sporting occasions to boost drinks sales in pubs and bars across the Island of Ireland.

Eighth Irish Whiskey Awards held in Powerscourt Distillery, Enniskerry.

It comes as no surprise to hear that the pandemic has had a profound impact on hospitality venues across the globe - for the Irish market has felt these effects more than most. But from its surveys market analyst CGA has been able to provide some insight into how the pandemic will have affected consumers' alcohol purchasing trends going forward. Phillip Montgomery, CGA's UK & Ireland Director of Client Services, outlines some of these to Pat Nolan.

Always under pressure from their big brother lager, the market for stouts and ales has taken to broadening its appeal by innovating and even food pairing. As a result of innovations from both international and small craft brewers, today a variety of ales and stouts are available to the on-trade. We take a look at some of the stouts and ales in this increasingly competitive market.

Sales of wine saw the biggest loss in spend during the month of December with shoppers moving their spend mainly into spirits.