The Academy of Food and Wine Service (AFWS) has launched its 2012 UK Sommelier of the Year competition.

Finlandia has selected the 14th champion of its annual international cocktail competition, the Finlandia Vodka Cup.

Four Roses bourbon has taken over the downstairs bar at Shaker & Company, London, for the month of February.

Jura, The Whyte and Mackay single malt, has teamed up with its coffee industry namesake to create a range of whisky and coffee pairings.

Pernod Ricard’s super premium gin, Beefeater 24, is now available in 50 markets worldwide.

The world’s first pee-controlled video game has been launched, making a splash in south London bar Exhibit.

The World’s 50 Best Bars supplement is now available to view online.

The Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind competition has been been won by David Sinclair of the Gleneagles hotel in Scotland

The Best Baltic Sommelier has been crowned following the Vana Tallinn Grand Prix 2011 in Tartu, Estonia.

The 2011 World’s 50 Best Bars list has been published, in partnership with sponsor Stolichnaya. This year, New York speakeasy PDT (Please Don’t Tell) took the top spot, with London hotel bars The Connaught and the Artesian in second and third place. 

Malta: The Maltese Bartenders’ Guild (MBG) has appointed a new president. Wine and spirits retailer Joseph Farrugia took the post in October.

Stella Artois has crowned its World Draught Master for 2011 following the final of the global competition in Buenos Aires.

Glasgow-based whisky brand Auchentoshan completed the UK leg of The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers two bartenders transatlantic internships.

Shaker BarSchools, the international bartender training company, has moved into bar operating with the opening of a bar in London.

Jack Daniel's has crowned the UK champion of its Tennessee-based Birthday Cocktail Competition 2011.

Scotch whisky brand The Glenrothes is on the look out for would-be distillers in its latest competition, Vinatage Maker 2012.

Czech lager brand Pilsner Urquell has anointed Dubliner Fearghus McCormack as its International Master Bartender 2011.

Japanese whisky brand, Nikka, has named the second finalist of its international cocktail competition, The Nikka Perfect Serve.

French aperitif brand Lillet is looking for entries for its Twisted Vesper Cocktail Competition. 

A sage and onion-take on a Gibson has been named best serve at the inaugural Made in Yorkshire cocktail competition.

Mikey Allan of The Raconteur, has triumphed at Broker’s Gin Cocktail Challenge in Edinburgh, beating off an all-Scottish field of bartenders.

UK consumers anticipate a rise in the number of occasions they will 'eat and drink out' over the next six months, according to a survey by Deloitte.

UK: Glenfiddich has launched the 2011 Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind competition. The aim of the game is to find the “trade’s most passionate malt enthusiasts”.

The winners of the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards have been announced.

Pernod Ricard brand Olmeca has announced a partnership with tequila ambassador and Mexican restaurant-bar owner Tomas Estes.

Funkin, the UK-based purée brand, has added a trade portal to its website to “enhance engagement” with bartenders.

Scotch whisky Auchentoshan is looking for entries to The Auchentoshan Switch, a cocktail competition that offers bartenders transatlantic internships.

Pernod Ricard, with its Olmeca tequila brand, has announced the winner of the Tahona Society Margarita contest.

The Restaurant and Bar Design Awards recognised "excellence" in design and architecture in the global hospitality industry yesterday, at a ceremony in Canary Wharf, London.

UK: Bruno Do Nascimento from The Bar at The Dorchester hotel has won the UK Bartenders’ Guild cocktail competition.

UK bartenders are invited to compete in the Monin Cup Cocktail Competition and the winner will represent the UK at the international finals next year.

UK RumFest is adding a tropical food market to its show this year. The addition of food to the show brings with it a Rum Experience Chef of the Year competition, with a prize of a trip to the Taste Festival in Barbados.

Jamie MacDonald of The Raconteur in Edinburgh has been crowned the UK’s best bartender at the UK final of World Class 2011.

Maker’s Mark is rolling out its Bourbon & Bespoke campaign in the UK.

Kammerling’s Ginseng Spirit is the realisation of Alex Kammerling’s 18-years behind a bar and is the product of five years of development.

G’Vine has announced the winner of its Gin Connoisseur competition. Gegam Ghazaryan of Xandom Bar in Alicante, Spain took the title after a week of challenges including blending gin, aroma exams and speed drink making.  The final took place in G’Vine’s home town of Cognac.

UK bartenders are invited to compete in the Monin Cup Cocktail Competition and the winner will represent the UK at the international finals next year.

US: Tennesseans are to be given the opportunity to sample distilled spirits at restaurants, bars and liquor stores under new legislation, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS). The state is home to Tennessee whiskey brand Jack Daniels.

The cost of wines and spirits is increasing rapidly as tax increases continue to force up prices, according to the latest market report from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Stella Artois’ seven-month quest to find its “draught master” has begun with the launch of the Quality Draught Masters Programme.

The Xanté Company & Peter F Heering have announced the finalists of their Mad Men inspired cocktail competition, which will be part of Manhattan Cocktail Classic (MCC).

Drinks International has announced the category winners of the 18^th annual Cocktail Challenge.

Bacardi has launched True Originals, an online hub for bartenders globally.

Bacardi has crowned the winner of the first Superior Rum Global Legacy Cocktail Competition, in Barcelona.