Christmas has come early for stout fans, as Porterhouse Brew Co introduces the fourth and final generation of its award-winning Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Around the Clock.

After a three-year pandemic-induced absence this year's LVA Conference took place recently in Dublin's Westbury Hotel.

At this time of year pubs would normally be at their busiest in the run-in to the Festive Season. But what's in store for this year? All we can be sure of is that there will be plenty of Christmas product out there to tempt the consumer - and that the unseasonal staging of the World Cup can only operate to the further advantage of both the on- & off-trade. We take a look at the Christmas drinks market.

The latest round of energy price increases leads many in the trade to believe that their business will become increasingly unsustainable as we move into 2023 - especially when added to soaring commodity costs and wage demands.

As supplier price rises continue to make their presence felt following their own input cost increases, it seems inevitable that the on-trade is going to have to follow suit and put up prices across the counter.