30 January, 2009 Today, Miller Brands is proud to announce the Polish launch of www.TalkingAlcohol.com called www.abcalkoholu.pl – a website devoted to providing consumers with comprehensive information on alcohol – from how beer is made to how alcohol impacts on the body. This follows the successful launch of the English version of www.TalkingAlcohol.com in July, 2008.
The website should prove a valuable resource not only in Poland, but also to Polish consumers in the UK, where Miller Brands markets and distributes Tyskie and Lech – both well known Polish beer brands. By providing consumers with this easy to understand guide from production to metabolism, it is hoped that people will be encouraged to make informed choices and drink responsibly.
The website has an ‘alcohol and your body’ section which includes an interactive trip through the body, explaining how alcohol is absorbed and processed. It explains the physical effects that cause a hangover and provides the latest information about how alcohol can impact various conditions like diabetes and pregnancy. The ‘social situations’ pages gives reminders of things to consider on a night out, including when drinking alcohol is not a good idea such as when operating machinery.
Visitors to www.abcalkoholu.pl and TalkingAlcohol.com can listen to independent alcohol experts who will periodically explore issues relating to health, parenting, binge-drinking, drinking and driving, and policy approaches.
International experts were consulted and their feedback has been positive, seeing the site as a good resource for the public regarding the common health considerations about drinking alcohol. One expert, Dr Alfred I. Neuget, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at Columbia University, said of the site: “I was impressed. The content was very readable and relatively simple for a layman, yet not trivial.”
TalkingAlcohol.com was developed by one of the world’s largest brewing companies, SABMiller plc, and was the first initiative of its kind to be launched globally by a major alcohol company. Miller Brands is the UK operating company for SABMiller Plc.
Kristin Wolfe, Head of Alcohol Policy at SABMiller said, “While we believe our beer adds to the enjoyment of life for the overwhelming majority of our consumers, we also care about the harmful effects of irresponsible alcohol consumption.
“With www.TalkingAlcohol.com and www.abcalkoholu.pl we hope to encourage straightforward conversations about the health and social considerations of drinking alcohol and to remind adults to make responsible decisions if they drink.”
In the coming months the website will be available in other languages including Czech, Italian, Spanish and Russian.
-ENDS-
For more information please contact:
Jonathan Bennett
Miller Brands (UK) Ltd
Tel: 01483 264284
Email: jonathanbennett@millerbrands.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
About Miller Brands
Miller Brands was launched in 2005 and is a subsidiary of SABMiller, one of the world's largest brewers. Miller Brands have assumed responsibility for the development of all SABMiller’s brands across the UK; in addition to Lech and Tyskie these include Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Miller Genuine Draft. Through its consistent pricing and distribution discipline, supplemented by engaging marketing activities, Miller Brands is bringing value back into the beer category. Sales are currently growing in excess of 20% year on year in a declining market and this is increasingly recognized and referenced by retailers.
About SABMiller plc
SABMiller plc is one of the world’s largest brewers with brewing interests or distribution agreements in over 60 countries across six continents. The group’s brands include premium international beers such as Grolsch, Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as an exceptional range of market leading local brands. Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is also one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world.
In the year ended 31 March 2008, the group reported US$3,639 million adjusted pre-tax profit and revenue of US$21,410 million. SABMiller plc is listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.
This announcement is available on the company website: www.sabmiller.com
High resolution images are available for the media to view and download free of charge from www.sabmiller.com or www.TalkingAlcohol.com
About Tyskie
Tyskie is brewed from crystal-clear water from Gronie springs and the choicest varieties of barley, malt and hops. It is the successor to the centuries’ long tradition of beer brewing in Tychy dating back to the 17th century. Fans of Tyskie appreciate its mild, hoppy flavour, golden colour and thick, white head. The top quality taste of Tyskie has won the beer thousands of fans as well as many awards such as the Gold Medal and Grand Prix at the most prestigious beer festival in Munich in 2005.
About Lech
Lech is well renowned for its heritage and use of the best quality brewing ingredients – produced at one of Poland’s largest breweries. Lech Premium`s flavour profile delivers noble bitterness with a thick, white head that retains the bouquet long after opening the bottle. The balance of taste and optimal carbonation give the brand its perfect refreshing properties. This is a classic beer with a refreshing light taste. 5.2% alcohol.