Well, that's almost that for 2012. This is our last weekly update of what has been as lively a year as I can remember in our industry.

Much as M&A activity hogged the headlines, the ongoing battles in the developed markets of the west and the continuing tussles for attention in the emerging markets of the east kept us all busy – and entertained – this year. Throw in the sales drummed up around Euro 2012 and the marketing activity hooked on to the London Olympics, and the Christmas break looks all the more enticing.

We started our review of 2012 last week: Click here for our round-up of the last 12 months for the beer & cider category, while clicking here will take you to our look at the world of soft drinks this year. Coming up throughout this week will be our take on the spirits, bottled water and wine categories, so stay tuned.

Also, head here for the first of our top tens of 2012, which brings together the most-read columnist comment pieces on just-drinks this year. Again, more of these will follow over the next five days.

So, as you all have your heads down for one final sales push ahead of the Christmas break, please allow me to thank you all for your continued support in 2012 and, from myself, our deputy editor James Wilmore and reporter Andy Morton, and all the freelancers and backroom staff at just-drinks, may we wish you a relaxing break over the festive season.

We'll be done from close of play on Friday (21 December), but we're back, live and loud on Wednesday, 2 January.

Here's to a rip-roaring 2013.