Brewers, Banking on Swelling Incomes, Feed Discerning Beer Palates

Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad Managing Director Soren Ravn discusses:

- 2011 investment in its flagship Carlsberg Green Label brand;
- Improving route-to-market models;
- Market share;
- Rising aluminium, malt and hops costs;
- How much of these needs have already been bought forward;
- Effect of rising costs (and hedging policy) on margins;
- Outlook for more price increases;
- Ability of market to absorb rising prices;
- Expectations for 2011 A&P spending;
- Expectations for Budget 2012;
- The war in the premium segment and which brands are winning;
- Percentage of beer market which is accounted for by premium brands;
- Which brand is the best-performing;
- Singapore roughly at quarter of group revenues - whether and how dynamics will change;
- Beer sales growth in Malaysia versus Singapore;
- Forecasts for 2011 topline growth;
- Whether migration upmarket towards hard liquors such as whiskey;
- Details on rising 2011 Q1 receivables;
- Effect of rising ringgit;
- Dividend policy;
- CSR and Water management;
- Malaysia as (apparently) one of the biggest alcohol-consuming markets in the world and whether an urban myth;
- Efforts to promote responsible drinking in measurability and performance terms.