Latest news with #Beefeater
Forbes
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
How To Choose The Right Gin For Every Kind Of Drink
Expert barman is making cocktail at night club. getty Gin is one of the most versatile spirits out there. It can be bracing and juniper-heavy, light and floral, or even rich and malty. But not all gin is created equal, and if you've ever wondered why one gin makes a great martini while another works better in a Tom Collins, it all comes down to style. To make sense of the gin world—and to help you avoid putting the wrong gin in the wrong cocktail—here's a practical guide to the different types of gin and where they shine. London Dry isn't necessarily made in London (though it can be). The term refers to a production style that results in a crisp, juniper-forward gin with no added sweeteners. This is the most common style of gin and the one you'll find in classics like Tanqueray, Beefeater, and Bombay Sapphire. Best for: London Dry is a workhorse. If you're building a home bar and can only have one gin, this is the one to start with. Plymouth Gin is actually a protected designation, meaning it can only be made in Plymouth, England. It's similar to London Dry but has a softer, earthier profile with less of a juniper punch. That makes it a great option for people who like gin but don't necessarily want it to dominate their drink. Best for: Think of Old Tom as the missing link between London Dry and Genever (which we'll get to in a second). It's slightly sweeter than London Dry, with a richer texture. If you ever find a gin cocktail from the 19th century that calls for 'gin,' chances are it was referring to Old Tom. Best for: Before gin was gin, it was Genever. This Dutch spirit is maltier and has a more whiskey-like character due to its grain-forward base. While it still has juniper, it's not as dominant as in other styles. Best for: If you love whiskey but are curious about gin, Genever is the perfect gateway bottle. Sometimes called 'contemporary gin' or 'modern gin,' this is a broad category for gins that step away from the traditional juniper-heavy profile. Brands like Hendrick's (with its cucumber and rose) or The Botanist (with its 22 botanicals) fall into this category. Best for: New Western gins are fun because they push the boundaries. They can be citrus-forward, floral, or even spice-heavy, making them great for experimentation. Take a gin, put it in a barrel, and suddenly, you've got something entirely different. Barrel-aged gin picks up flavors from the wood, adding warmth and depth. This style is great for people who like whiskey but want to try gin. Best for: Brands like Barr Hill Tom Cat and Citadelle Réserve have made this category more popular, and if you haven't tried it yet, it's worth exploring. Expert barman is making cocktail at night club. getty Here's the quick version: Gin is one of those spirits that rewards exploration. If you're a gin and tonic drinker, try switching up your gin to see how the flavors change. If you love martinis, experiment with different styles to find your favorite balance. And if you're not sure where to start, just grab a London Dry and go from there. It's hard to go wrong when the drink in your hand is crisp, refreshing, and packed with flavor.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Premier Inn owner Whitbread suffers 'challenging' UK market
Premier Inn's parent company's UK sales have plunged as the group faces a 'challenging' domestic market and undergoes an overhaul of its restaurants. Whitbread, which also owns the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre brands, saw total turnover fall 4 per cent in the 13 weeks ending 29 May. Revenues in the UK dropped by 5 per cent, with food and beverage sales slumping by 16 per cent as the group continued to convert several branded restaurants into hotels. UK accommodation sales also dipped 2 per cent, although Whitbread said Premier Inn outperformed the wider midscale and economy (M&E) hotel market across both London and the regions. In the former territory, accommodation revenues exceeded the M&E market by 3.9 percentage points, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) was 2.4 percentage points higher. Meanwhile, Whitbread's German business, which represents a much smaller share of its trade, saw turnover climb by 16 per cent on a local currency basis. The FTSE 100 firm expects its German division to become profitable this financial year. Dominic Paul, chief executive of Whitbread, said: 'In the UK, we continue to outperform against a challenging market backdrop, with the strength of our brand and commercial programme continuing to drive total accommodation sales and RevPAR growth ahead of the market. 'Whilst the short-lead nature of our business means that our forward visibility remains limited, our forward booked position is ahead of last year, and we remain confident that we can continue to outperform the market.' Under the company's 'Accelerating Growth Plan', it aims to construct about 3,500 additional hotel rooms on the way to having at least 97,000 open rooms in the UK by 2029. To help achieve this, it intends to convert 112 restaurants and invest approximately £500million through its capital expenditure programme. Whitbread said the plan is on track to achieve a minimum £300million of incremental profits and more than £2billion of shareholder returns by 2030. Whitbread shares were 2.3 per cent lower at £27.26 on Thursday morning, taking their losses to around 10 per cent over the past year. Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'While forward bookings in the UK are ahead of last year, that doesn't provide a huge cushion if conditions don't improve. 'However, Whitbread is a quality operator that's doing all it can to improve efficiency, and optimise its estate through initiatives such as converting low performing restaurants into additional room space. 'The current valuation reflects the challenging outlook. And Whitbread continues to build on the substantial operational improvements made in recent years so the shares could be attractive to investors who are prepared to sit out the cycle.' Whitbread's latest trading update comes three weeks after it revealed that Christine Hodgson, the chairwoman of water giant Severn Trent, will replace Adam Crozier as its next chair.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Whitbread sales under pressure amid overhaul and tough UK market
Premier Inn owner Whitbread has posted falling sales amid a 'challenging' UK market and a major restaurant overhaul. The group, which also owns the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chains, reported a 2% drop in total accommodation sales across the UK in its first quarter to May 29, with food sales plunging by 16% as it revamped its restaurants business. Food and drink sales have been impacted by a restructure that Whitbread started in April last year, which includes cutting back its restaurant business to build more hotel rooms. The £500 million plan, which executives dubbed 'Accelerating Growth', involves converting 112 branded restaurants into new hotel rooms and selling 126 more. The plans announced in April 2024 will also see around 1,500 jobs axed as it looks to save about £150 million over the next three years. Whitbread said on Thursday it was on track to save £60 million in this financial year. On a like-for-like basis, it said first-quarter accommodation sales fell 3% and food-and-drink sales dropped 2%. But it enjoyed a more robust performance in Germany, with total accommodation sales up 15% and food up 22%. Dominic Paul, Whitbread chief executive, said: 'We continue to execute our strategic priorities at pace and are making excellent progress with our Accelerating Growth plan and network expansion in both the UK and Germany. 'In the UK, we continue to outperform against a challenging market backdrop. 'Our forward booked position remains ahead of last year and whilst forward visibility remains limited, our commercial initiatives are underpinning our confidence in being able to continue to outperform the market.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Whitbread sales under pressure amid overhaul and tough UK market
Premier Inn owner Whitbread has posted falling sales amid a 'challenging' UK market and a major restaurant overhaul. The group, which also owns the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chains, reported a 2% drop in total accommodation sales across the UK in its first quarter to May 29, with food sales plunging by 16% as it revamped its restaurants business. Food and drink sales have been impacted by a restructure that Whitbread started in April last year, which includes cutting back its restaurant business to build more hotel rooms. The £500 million plan, which executives dubbed 'Accelerating Growth', involves converting 112 branded restaurants into new hotel rooms and selling 126 more. The plans announced in April 2024 will also see around 1,500 jobs axed as it looks to save about £150 million over the next three years. Whitbread said on Thursday it was on track to save £60 million in this financial year. On a like-for-like basis, it said first-quarter accommodation sales fell 3% and food-and-drink sales dropped 2%. But it enjoyed a more robust performance in Germany, with total accommodation sales up 15% and food up 22%. Dominic Paul, Whitbread chief executive, said: 'We continue to execute our strategic priorities at pace and are making excellent progress with our Accelerating Growth plan and network expansion in both the UK and Germany. 'In the UK, we continue to outperform against a challenging market backdrop. 'Our forward booked position remains ahead of last year and whilst forward visibility remains limited, our commercial initiatives are underpinning our confidence in being able to continue to outperform the market.'
The Sun
13-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Historic moment female Beefeater locks Tower of London for first time in 700 years in ‘fabulous honour'
A FEMALE Beefeater has led the Ceremony of the Keys, the locking of the Tower of London, for the first time in the ritual's 700-year history. AJ Clark, 50, can perform the task after becoming the first female yeoman warder promoted to sergeant. 5 5 5 Other women have played a role in past ceremonies. But only sergeants carry the King's Keys. AJ told The Sun: 'I still pinch myself. 'It's just fabulous. 'There is so much history and it is such an honour to be part of it.' The ritual dates to 1340 after King Edward III arrived unannounced and was furious he could enter unchallenged. The ceremony lasts from 9.53pm to 10pm. We watched as AJ emerged from the Byward Tower — where Anne Boleyn lived before her 1536 execution — with a lantern and the keys. She walked alone to the Bloody Tower to meet her escort of four Irish Guards. They marched to the Middle Gate then the Byward Gate, where AJ closed and locked the huge wooden doors. Back at the Bloody Tower — where King Edward V, 12, and brother Richard, nine, were murdered — a sentry challenged AJ: 'Halt! Who goes there?' Adorable moment King's Guard breaks protocol to nod at little boy who dreams of becoming a beefeater AJ replied she had 'King Charles' keys' and her group was allowed to pass. She gave the keys to the King's representative, before the playing of the Last Post. AJ, of Burnley, spent 24 years in the Army before becoming a Beefeater in 2017. She lives in the Tower with her husband and three dogs. She added: 'It is the shortest military ceremony in history, but for us the most important. 'Being a yeoman warder is magical.' 5
