Japan’s Asahi ‘in Peroni bid’

Japanese brewer Asahi is in the process of formulating a takeover bid for beer brands Peroni and Grolsch, according to a Tokyo newspaper.

Asahi is becoming increasingly popular in Western markets (Photo: Ashai)

The two brands are being offloaded by Budweiser and Stella Artois brewer AB InBev as part of its acquisition of rival beer group SABMiller.

A £2.4 billion bid for the beers is expected to be made by the Japanese company behind the Asahi beer brand, which is becoming increasingly popular in Europe, a report by Yomiuri Shimbu newspaper said.

The rumoured bid follows speculation that private equity firm TPG Capital is in talks with ex-Diageo CEO Paul Walsh to acquire the two beer brands and install him as chairman of a new parent company.

This has not been confirmed or denied by TPG Capital after requests for comment by db.

The two brands came into the AB InBev stable as part of its £70 billion takeover of SABMiller, which was announced in November. They are being offloaded in order to pre-empt accusations from market regulators of monopoly in the beer industry.

Even after Peroni and Grolsch are sold, and following the sale of SABMiller’s 50% stake in its US MillerCoors enterprise to Molson Coors, the new “megabrewer” will be expected to be behind two in three beer sales worldwide.