James Beeson
James is The Grocer’s drinks editor. He writes about NPD, M&A, government legislation, marketing campaigns and new hires within alcohol, soft drinks, packaged water and hot beverages.
Before joining The Grocer in 2023, James was the deputy editor at Just Drinks. He began his career in journalism at The Morning Advertiser in 2017, and has also freelanced for titles including The Brewers Journal, Brewer & Distiller International and Ferment magazine.
His drink of choice is a French Negroni with a splash of PX Sherry.
Contact info
- Tel:
- 01293 610305
- Email:
- james.beeson@thegrocer.co.uk
NewsPortman Group hails ‘near universal’ adherence to booze marketing rules
Only 5% of products assessed were deemed in breach of marketing guidelines
NewsDry January trend fades with low & no-alcohol sales growth in ‘noticeable slowdown’
Value sales of low & no-alcohol beers climbed just 2.8% year on year to £17.1m in the four weeks to 24 January 2026
NewsKeystone Brewing creditors owed £15m prior to pre-pack sale
Keystone was sold last month to Saltaire Brewing for £4.1m
NewsCo-op commercial director departs for soft drinks challenger Hip Pop
The new hire is also a director at UK deposit management organisation Exchange for Change
NewsSt Austell Brewery ups stake in Cornish peer Harbour Brewing
St Austell has purchased shares sold by long-standing Harbour investor Rick Rowse
NewsWales hikes minimum unit pricing by 30% in bid to tackle alcohol harm
A review of the 50p per unit threshold for MUP in Wales found increasing the threshold would lead to further reductions in alcohol consumption and harm
NewsPepsiCo to cut Doritos and Lay’s prices following consumer backlash
The snacks and beverage maker said ‘extensive consumer feedback around affordability limitations’ was behind the move
NewsTenzing adds Natural Energy+ to tap growing functional demand
Natural Energy+ had been ‘created to meet growing consumer demand for targeted, functional benefits’, Tenzing said
NewsGrind eyes shift to profitability as grocery listings perk up sales
Net sales from Grind’s roastery business grew by 30% to £20.8m
NewsAussie whisky brand Starward reacquired by founder as Distill Ventures exits
Vitale sold a 30% stake to Diageo-backed incubator Distill Ventures in 2015
NewsWaitrose backs independent beer campaign with online and in-store activity
It comes after Waitrose handed listings to independent brewers including The Kernel last year
NewsSpirits ‘treated like a cash cow’ say suppliers as another duty hike takes effect
An inflated-linked duty rise from next month is set to reinforce the UK’s position as the country with the highest rate of excise duty in the G7
NewsHoly in £10m push to shake up UK soft drinks category
The brand will this year set up a dedicated UK-based operations team in London
NewsRemedy brings Sodaly prebiotic soda line to UK shoppers
The drinks were ‘already a bestseller’ in Australia, said Remedy
NewsThe Whisky Exchange MD: category facing ‘moment of correction’
Tennent said btand owners had a responsibility to “clear the stock that is out there”.
Comment & OpinionWhy Absolut Tabasco could be this year’s hottest brand collab
The NPD is one of Absolut brand owner Pernod Ricard’s big bets for 2026 and is launching across 50-plus global markets from next month
NewsChapel Down hails ‘generational shift into English sparkling’ as sales swell
Millennials were now flocking to English sparkling wine, Chapel Down CEO James Pennefather said
NewsNaked Wine toasts ‘pleasing’ peak trading period
Revenues declined organically by 19% year on year, but average order value and revenue per member were both up
NewsNearly one in four adults avoiding booze, NHS survey shows
Across all age cohorts, some 24% of adults surveyed said they had not drunk alcohol in the previous year
NewsAbsolut and Tabasco team up to launch spicy vodka
The NPD brought together ‘two titans of flavours,’ said Absolut