Japanese beverage giant Asahi is about to submit a bid to buy premium beer brands Peroni and Grolsch from Anheuser-Busch InBev. According to rumours, the offer may amount to 400 billion yen (around $5.2 billion) and, if accepted, would be the biggest overseas beverage acquisition ever by a Japanese company.
Belgium-based AB InBev has decided to seek potential bidders as part of its $160 billion takeover of SAB Miller, dubbed ‘Megabrew’, in order to clear antitrust hurdles in Europe. Owner of New Zealand’s Independent Liquor (NZ) Ltd, Asahi’s overseas operations have mainly focused on Oceania and Asia. Through this acquisition, the Japanese brand would therefore achieve a stronger presence in Europe; whilst Grolsch is largely sold in the Netherlands, Peroni is mostly retailed in Britain and Italy.
ASAHI READY TO BUY PERONI AND GROLSCH
