Cans, Cacti and clever combinations

Ardagh strikes an $8.5 billion spinoff deal

Ardagh, the glass and metal packaging group that makes the aluminum cans used by White Claw and other beverage giants, is creating a spinoff business called Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP), valued at $8.5 billion. The deal, which was announced Tuesday, is a bet on the continued growth of the can business. Ardagh plans to retain an 80% stake in AMP.

Travis Scott announces launch date for his hard seltzer brand

Travis Scott announced the creation of his own hard seltzer brand in partnership with Anheuser-Busch back in December. Cacti, a 7% ABV agave-spiked seltzer, appears to be heading for a March 15 launch. "CACTI is something I'm really proud of and have put a ton of work into," said Scott in a December interview.

Dark and hoppy, a rare combination

Brewing a beer to be both dark and hoppy is a challenge that few brewers take on. Why? As a beer gets darker, using hops effectively becomes more difficult. A darker beer means a roastier beer, which affects all of the other ingredients involved in brewing, from the water down to the yeast. Dive into the nuts and bolts of concocting a distinctive, hop-forward black beer.

Meijer's forthcoming small format seeks hyperlocal products

Meijer is opening its fourth small-format store, Rivertown Market in Detroit, and it's searching for hyperlocal products to fill the shelves. Specifically, the grocer is hoping to find 2,000 locally produced items and has invited local businesses to submit their offerings for consideration. "We want to help local businesses succeed," said Marcus Reliford, a Detroit native and Rivertown Market store manager.

TODAY'S NEWS

Ardagh strikes an $8.5 billion spinoff deal

Travis Scott announces launch date for his hard seltzer brand

Dark and hoppy, a rare combination

Meijer's forthcoming small format seeks hyperlocal products

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