According to the research, the top three 'beer cities' are ... Prague Amsterdam Berlin. The least attractive according to the report are ... Bucharest Bratislava Warsaw. The report, entitled Whose Round? , reveals that 20% of 6,000 respondents from 12 cities consider Prague as their top 'beer' city, which is followed by Amsterdam (13%) and Berlin (12%). Bucharest, Bratislava and Warsaw attracted 1% each. The survey also includes a range of other findings, such as when people are enjoying their beer most (on Saturday, 58%), who pays for the beer, the celebrities that Europeans would most like to go for a beer with (Barack Obama and Angelina Jolie) and many more. For example, the report says that, 'The least chivalrous men are to be found in Russia. They expect a date to pay her way.' Source: Popsop

The traditional berries are being sold at the tournament for 22p per fruit this year. The exact same fruit can be brought for a fraction of the price at Asda, and can taken into the tournament as part of a picnic. The class 1 fruits from Kent, which arrive at SW19 at 5.30am, are the same specification and are from some of the same farms as Asda's Extra Special Jubilee strawberries. The only difference is the price. A punnet of 10 fruits will cost £2.25 at Wimbledon, while a 300g punnet (more than four times the size) costs £2.97 at Asda, a 46% saving. This equates to a 69% saving if customers buy two for £4. Standard Elsanta strawberries are also on sale at Wimbledon, and are available at Asda for £1.41 a punnet. Again, the strawberries are bought in from some of the same farmers. Andy Jackson, strawberry buyer at Asda, said: "Our strawberries, which are picked and packed to the same specifications but sold at a fraction of the price, demonstrate just how much the club is ripping off tennis fans. We're encouraging sport-lovers to boycott strawberries and cream at this year's Championships to send a clear message to the organisers in the hope that prices will be dramatically reduced at next year's event." To reassure tennis fans that Asda's strawberries compare on quality and taste, the supermarket will be sampling British strawberries outside tube stations near the All England Club for spectators to enjoy on their way to the Championships. Source: Asda

"We're proud to be the first company in Australia to feature the Carbon Reduction Label, which not only helps us to improve the efficiency of our business, but also provides customers with important information allowing them to make smarter shopping decisions," said Tom Daunt, MD buying, Aldi. "We believe it makes good business sense to protect and promote the environment in everything we do, and the Carbon Reduction Label will help us achieve this." The Carbon Reduction Label informs consumers of the total carbon footprint of a product, from raw materials and manufacturing right through to disposal or recycling of packaging. The Label helps people understand how they can reduce their own carbon footprint and fight climate change. "Independent research conducted for Planet Ark found that 60% of Australians would be more likely to purchase a product displaying the Carbon Reduction Label, and we welcome Aldi to this groundbreaking programme," said Paul Klymenko, research director, Planet Ark. By adopting the Carbon Reduction Label, Aldi joins an international list of major businesses that have committed to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of products. Planet Ark brought the Carbon Reduction Label to Australia in partnership with its originators, the Carbon Trust in the UK. "It's great to see the expansion of the Carbon Reduction Label in Australia with Aldi, a major international retailer," said Euan Murray, carbon footprinting general manager, Carbon Trust UK. "We all want to do our bit to tackle climate change, but consumers can find it confusing to know what to do. The Carbon Reduction Label is a simple way of supporting those brands and companies that have measured their footprints and are actively trying to reduce their impact." The Carbon Reduction Label is now appearing in 19 countries, with labelled products having annual sales of about A$4.5bn. Source: Carbon Trust UK

This is the latest in a string of high-profile sponsorships which has seen Carling become one of the most prolific investors in Scottish sport. As part of the sponsorship deal, Carling will have a major presence at Murrayfield stadium, where the brand will be visible on billboards, LED pitch boards, bars inside and outside the stadium and staff uniforms. Source: Molson Coors

All of the four apps start at €0.79 per download direct to the reveller’s iPhone. With these, users can access daily Oktoberfest news and a 'Wiesn-barometre', to find out which tents they're most likely to find seats in. This app relies on other users to report on how full tents become, in a friendly gesture to those on their way to the Wiesn. Another application helps users count how many drinks they’ve had and publish them straight to social networking site Facebook. And with safety in mind, organisers have also created a blood-alcohol calculator to help visitors get home safe after a long day at the beer tent. “Spending your day at the Oktoberfest, it can always happen that you lose count of how much you drank, and when you're close to being sober again,” the Oktoberfest site says. Source: The Local

Select 55, described by the brewer as a smooth, light golden lager with 55 calories and 1.9g carbohydrates per each 12oz serving is available in 12oz clear crown glass bottles in 6 and 12 packs and 12oz 12 and 18 aluminium can packs. Brewed at Anheuser-Busch's St Louis brewery, Select 55 has been developed to respond to the growing demand among some adult drinkers for lower-calorie alcohol beverages to complement their busy lifestyles. "Select 55 is ideal for adults who want to enjoy beer without feeling guilty about the calories," said Pat McGauley, vice president of innovation, Anheuser-Busch Inc. "Perfect for a variety of occasions, adults will enjoy Select 55 at a double-header baseball game, while grilling on a hot summer day or relaxing at home with friends."

Nestlé is taking this action out of an abundance of caution after being notified that the Food and Drug Administration, together with the Centers for Disease Control, are conducting an investigation into reported E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses that may be related to consumption of raw cookie dough. A number of consumers reporting illness reported consuming raw Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough. While the E. coli strain implicated in this investigation hasn't been detected in the product, Nestlé is still initiating the voluntary recall. Nestlé will continue to cooperate fully with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control in this investigation. No other Nestlé Toll House products are impacted, including already baked Toll House cookies purchased outside the home, all varieties of Nestlé Toll House morsels, chocolate baking bars or cocoa, and Dreyer's and Edy's ice cream products with Nestlé Toll House cookie dough ingredients. Source: Nestlé USA

The ice cream market in west Europe is on the up, with volumes rising at a growing rate. Germany, Italy and the UK are the biggest markets. Combined, they account for over half of the total west European volume. Consumption per person is rising due to a wider variety of products on offer, and producers are attempting to make ice cream an everyday treat. Annual growth in west Europe is forecast to be around 2%, meaning total consumption is expected to top three billion litres by 2012. This is mainly lead by innovation in packaging, indulgence, consumption occasion, and innovative flavours and ingredients. The ice cream market is also buoyant in east Europe, with Russia, Ukraine and Poland being the largest markets in the region. Value is increasing rapidly, particularly in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The ice cream market size is forecast to grow by about 6% year on year to 2012, reaching 1.5 billion litres. North America bucks the trend somewhat with a recent overall decline in consumption of ice cream. Both the weather and concern over obesity have influenced consumption patterns. Zenith International forecasts suggest that the ice cream market will show some recovery in the next few years, with volumes rising year on year by around 0.3%, reaching 5.6 billion litres in 2012. The Middle East The ice cream market in the Middle East is small but expanding, with double-digit growth seen between 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Turkey accounts for over half of the total volume. The ice cream market value is low in comparison to other dairy products in the Middle East, but it's rising along with volumes. Growth is expected in all countries of the Middle East, but is particularly strong in the UAE and Lebanon. The ice cream market is forecast to reach 328 million litres by 2012. Per person consumption follows a similar trend to overall volumes rising from 2.3 litres in 2008 to 2.8 litres in 2012. Ice cream products experienced strong growth in Asia and Australasia, with overall volumes for the region jumping 46% from four billion litres in 2003 to 5.9 billion litres in 2008. China accounts for the majority of volume, with South Korea and Japan showing strong growth. The market value of ice cream in 2007 was €34.5m, up by 9% since 2003, driven by China’s rising volumes (but reducing value per kilo). The growth of the ice cream market in Asia and Australasia is forecast to continue, but with annual growth reducing slowly. Total volumes are expected to reach over seven billion litres by 2012, mainly due to continued growth in China. Per person consumption is forecast to rise to 2.1 litres in 2012, and this increase is present in all countries apart from Australia, which sees a very small decline.

Oasys Water, a Yale University spin-off, is commercialising a technology it calls ‘engineered osmosis’ that uses waste heat from power plant smoke stacks to filter water. "The only real way to significantly reduce the cost is to eliminate the need for lots of electricity," said CEO, Aaron Mandell. Mandell estimates that it currently costs between 90¢ and $1 to turn one cubic metre (or 264 gallons) of sea water into potable drinking water. He says Oasys' technology can lower the cost to 35¢ to 50¢ for the same quantity. The current funding comes amid an active period for venture investment in the water purification sector. Companies that received money in the past six months include WaterHealth International , a producer of contaminated water treatment technology that raised $10m in January; NanoH20 , a developer of membrane materials for water purification, which raised $15m in September; and Quench , a distributor of water purification coolers that secured $26m funding in August. According to consulting firm Lux Research , spending on water treatment products and infrastructure is predicted to rise sharply, jumping from $522bn in 2007 to nearly $1tn by 2020. Researchers forecast that by 2030, the world will use 40% more water than today, and nearly half of the world's population will face severe water stress.

Krieglstein, who will oversee UK marketing for Red Bull drinks, brand and sponsorship activities, has been drafted in to the UK business after five years with Red Bull, first at its German office and then as marketing coach at Red Bull's international headquarters in Austria. It’s understood that Krieglstein is analysing the performance of the Simply Cola brand before committing to further marketing spend. However, a Red Bull spokeswoman denied the cola was in danger of being pulled from the market. The launch of Simply Cola was overseen by Feiler last year. The line was more recently backed by a £1m poster campaign highlighting its natural ingredients. The ads showed a can between two bull-shaped ice sculptures. Source: Marketing Magazine

Headlined by enhanced beverages in bold, new packaging, the leading sports drink is continuing to deliver the scientifically proven hydration and performance benefits that built the brand. “Just like any good athlete, Gatorade is taking it to the next level,” said Sarah Robb O’Hagan, chief marketing officer for Gatorade. “Whether you’re in it for the win, for the thrill or for better health, if your body is moving, Gatorade sees you as an athlete, and we’re inviting you into the brand.” This new Gatorade attitude will be most visible through a total packaging redesign. For example, Gatorade Thirst Quencher will put the letter G front and centre along with the brand’s iconic bolt. For Gatorade, G represents the heart, hustle and soul of athleticism and will become a badge of pride for anyone who sweats, no matter where they’re active. To help differentiate the full range of Gatorade offerings from traditional Gatorade Thirst Quencher, each beverage will convey the attitude of a tough-love coach or personal trainer, through in-your-face names on the label and nutrition benefits inside. The updated beverages will begin rolling out to US stores later this year. Grocery stores will offer the updated beverages in a 32oz single bottle, 20oz eight-pack, and 12oz six-pack. Convenience stores will sell them in a 32oz and 20oz single bottle. Gatorade Tiger Focus will be available at grocery stores in a 32oz single bottle and 16.9oz eight-packs, and at convenience stores in a 32oz and 16.9oz single bottle.

Quality inspectors in Dongguan in the southern province of Guangdong found the latest contaminated biscuits after examining 13 batches of 4,800 boxes for export after neighboring Hong Kong, a "special administrative region" of China, and Singapore reported tainted samples, the China News Service said. Investigations showed the melamine in the biscuits came from milk powder, it added. Tian Wenhua, 66-year-old former general manager of the now bankrupt Sanlu Group, goes on trial on Wednesday along with three other senior executives of the company that was at the heart of the melamine scandal. "(Tian) may face a maximum penalty of death for producing and selling contaminated baby milk food, along with three of her senior managers at the Shijiazhuang Intermediate People's Court," the China Daily said on Wednesday. Source: Reuters