Special items (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Extraordinary and Unusual Items [Abstract]

Special items recorded by segment

The table below summarizes special items recorded by segment:

	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
	June 30, 2012			June 25, 2011			June 30, 2012			June 25, 2011
	(In millions)
Employee related charges
Restructuring
Canada	$	—		$	0.6		$	1.6		$	0.6
U.K.	4.5			2.4			6.3			2.7
Corporate	—			—			1.1			—
Special termination benefits
Canada(1)	1.4			1.2			1.9			4.0
Impairments or asset abandonment charges
U.K. - Asset abandonment(2)	7.2			—			7.2			—
MCI - China impairment(3)	10.4			—			10.4			—
Unusual or infrequent items
Canada - Flood insurance reimbursement(4)	(2.3		)	0.7			(2.3		)	0.1
Canada - Brewers' Retail, Inc. ("BRI") loan guarantee adjustment(5)	—			(2.0		)	—			(2.0		)
Canada - Fixed asset adjustment(6)	—			7.6			—			7.6
U.K. - Release of non-income-related tax reserve(7)	—			—			(3.5		)	(2.5		)
MCI - Costs associated with outsourcing and other strategic initiatives	—			0.5			—			0.5
Total Special items, net	$	21.2		$	11.0		$	22.7		$	11.0

(1) During the second quarters and first halves of 2012 and 2011, we recognized charges related to special termination benefits as eligible employees elected early retirement offered as a result of the ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreements with MCC's brewery groups in 2011 and 2012.

(2) During the second quarter of 2012, we recognized an asset abandonment charge related to the discontinuation of primary packaging in the U.K. We determined that our Home Draft package was not meeting expectations driven by a lack of demand in the U.K. market and as a result, we recognized a loss related to the write-off of the Home Draft packaging line, tooling equipment and packaging materials inventory.

(3) See related detail in Note 12 "Goodwill and Intangible Assets."     

(4) In the second quarter and first half of 2012, we received insurance proceeds in excess of expenses incurred related to the flood damages at our Toronto offices. During the second quarter and first half of 2011, we incurred expenses related to these damages, which were partially offset by insurance proceeds.

(5) During the second quarter of 2011, we recognized a gain resulting from a reduction of our guarantee of BRI debt obligations, which is discussed further in Note 16 "Commitments and Contingencies."

(6) During the second quarter of 2011, we recognized a loss related to the correction of an immaterial error in prior periods to reduce Properties in the Canada segment, resulting from the performance of a fixed asset count. The impact of the error and the related correction in 2011 is not material to any prior annual or interim financial statements and is not material to the fiscal year results for 2011.

(7) During 2009, we established a non-income-related tax reserve of $10.4 million that was recorded as a Special item. Our estimates indicated a range of possible loss relative to this reserve of zero to $22.3 million, inclusive of potential penalties and interest. The amounts recorded in 2012 and 2011 represent a release of a portion of this reserve as a result of a change in estimate.

Change in the restructuring accrual

The table below summarizes the activity in the restructuring accruals:

	Canada			U.K.			Corporate		Total
	(In millions)
Total at December 31, 2011	$	0.1		$	1.8		$	—	$	1.9
Charges incurred	1.6			6.3			1.1		9.0
Payments made	(0.7		)	(1.7		)	—		(2.4		)
Foreign currency and other adjustments	—			(0.3		)	—		(0.3		)
Total at June 30, 2012	$	1.0		$	6.1		$	1.1	$	8.2