LONDON, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - British brewer Scottish and Newcastle on Wednesday reacted angrily to news of a potential joint takeover offer from Danish beer group and business partner Carlsberg, and Dutch peer Heineken.

Scottish and Newcastle, whose top-selling beverages include Foster's, Kronenbourg 1664, John Smiths and Strongbow, said that a possible break-up bid was 'unsolicited and unwelcome.'

However, the company's share price jumped by almost a fifth as analysts praised the strategic benefits of a deal.

LONDON, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Danish beer group Carlsberg and Dutch peer Heineken on Wednesday revealed that they are holding talks about a possible takeover of British brewer Scottish and Newcastle.

The news sent S and N's share price jumping by almost a fifth in value, as analysts praised the strategic benefits of a deal.

The company's top-selling beverages include Foster's, Kronenbourg 1664, John Smiths and Strongbow.

LONDON, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Danish beer group Carlsberg and Dutch peer Heineken on Wednesday revealed that they are holding talks about a consortium takeover of British brewer Scottish and Newcastle.

'Carlsberg and Heineken confirm that they are in discussions regarding the formation of a consortium to make an offer for the entire issued share capital of Scottish and Newcastle,' the two groups said in a statement issued in response to recent share price movements.

LONDON, Aug 7, 2007 (AFP) - British brewing giant Scottish and Newcastle said Tuesday that net profits dipped in the first half of 2007, as beer sales were dampened by a wet start to summer in Britain and France.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664 and Foster's said that profit after tax fell by 3.1 percent to 124 million pounds (182 million euros, 251 million dollars) in the six months to June 30, compared with the same period a year earlier.

Pre-tax earnings rose by 2.1 percent to 191 million pounds but was below analysts' consensus forecast of 205 million pounds.