Beer consumption in North America and Europe may be falling, but folks in Africa and Latin America are apparently putting back a few more than they used to because the folks at the London-based SABMiller were singing the praises of those two regions to shareholders on Thursday.

Reuters reports that the brewer’s annual earnings actually went up 12 percent (to $5.6 billion in pre-tax profits) and that 70 percent of the SABMiller profits came from “fast-growing emerging markets.” The specific countries in the world beer market that helped boost SABMiller in those regions are Latin America’s Colombia and Peru as well as the African nations of Tanzania and Zambia.Continue reading...

If sport is not your thing but you still want to cheer for the Italians, beer-maker Peroni Nastro Azzurro will be hosting a unique brand campaign around the World Cup just for you.

Starting June 10 and running exclusively during the World Cup, Ilbelgioco.com will feature all things Italian, including interviews, blog posts, podcasts and photos from the brand’s Italian ambassadors, who include 2006 football champion, Fabio Grosso; Michelin star chef, Giorgio Locatelli; celebrity fashion designer, Antonio Berardi; and Italian design heir, Matteo Alessi.

"Il Bel Gioco" means "The Beautiful Game," and as a speciality branding campaign, it's certainly an elegant move on Peroni's part.Continue reading...