Coke firms on plan for NZ beer

Days after announcing its re-entry into the Australian premium beer market, Coca-Cola Amatil has firmed on its beer plans for New Zealand.

Last week, CCA announced it would lend Australian Beer Company $A46 million to acquire and expand a brewery in New South Wales, a precursor to a joint venture with family-owned winemaker Casella group.

CCA is under a restraint of trade in Australia until December next year after selling its interest in Pacific Beverages to joint-venture partner British beer giant SABMiller.

Sally Loane, CCA's Sydney-based director of media and public affairs, says the restraint does not cover New Zealand.

Coke has distribution agreements with Grupo Modelo, Carlsberg and Molson Coors for Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Pacific Islands, with some Molson Coors brands – Coors Light, Carling, Caffrey's and Cobra – to be distributed to New Zealand.

"Hopefully, this side of Christmas," Ms Loane told NBR ONLINE.

"There's all sorts of distribution details and things that we've nailed down. The beers are definitely on their way. I just can't give you a date, unfortunately, as to when they might arrive."

Carling is Britain's best-selling lager and Caffrey's is a British ale, while Coors Light has its origins in Colorado, United States, and Cobra is an Indian lager brand.

Ms Loane says: "There will also be opportunities for export from Fiji into New Zealand of Fiji Bitter and Bounty Rum when we complete the acquisition of the Fiji brewery and distillery from Foster's."

CCA says its agreement with Casella, which is behind the Yellow Tail export wine brand, will give it enough manufacturing capacity to cater for 15% of Australia's premium beer market.

Pacific Beverages manufactures Bluetongue beers, and distributes brands such as Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Miller Geniune Draft, Miller Chill, Grolsch and Pilsner Urquell into New Zealand.

CCA's share price (ASX: CCL) rose after last week's premium beer announcement, but the gains were lost in a 1.8% drop on Friday, as the stock closed at $13.75, 5 cents lower than it started the week.

The share price has risen steadily from about $11.50 at the start of the year.