Portfolio changes, factory closures, NPD and celebrity investments (and legal spats) were among the topics on Just Drinks' news pages that caught your eye throughout the year.

But one company's woes featured prominently in the list of the top 24 most-read news stories on our site in 2024 - and next year could see the business offload the asset that attracted negative headlines to the group.

Scroll down for a flavour of the stories that shaped the drinks-industry agenda over the last 12 months.

7 October

Carlsberg's UK venture Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC) is planning to shut Banks's Brewery in the English Midlands next year.

20 August

Anheuser-Busch InBev has revealed plans to shut a distribution facility belonging to its US arm Anheuser-Busch, in Medford, Massachusetts.

5 June

Footballer Lionel Messi has launched a non-alcoholic "hydration drink" brand called Más+.

The beverage is described as having a "balanced blend of electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals". Más+ comes in four flavours: Miami Punch, Orange d'Or, Berry Copa Crush and Limon Lime League.

24 July

US wine group Vintage Wine Estates has filed for bankruptcy and is to voluntarily delist its common stock after failing to pay off $60.5m in debt.

23 August

Brown-Forman has scrapped its diversity and inclusion policies and ended its participation in an LGBTQ corporate equality index.

3 January

Thailand's cabinet has approved slashing taxes on wine and spirits in a bid to promote tourism.

30 January

Nestlé has admitted to breaching regulations in France in the way it treats bottled mineral water against contamination.

25 September

Diageo and PepsiCo have partnered to launch an alcoholic RTD drink combining Captain Morgan spiced rum and Pepsi Max.

6 August

Australian wine group Treasury Wine Estates has revealed plans to divest wines sitting under its commercial portfolio.

15 February

Dutch beer giant Heineken has touted the potential for growth in Europe this year as cost pressures in the region ease.