New favourite emerges for Peroni bid

Private equity firm KKR has emerged as one of the leading contenders to take over the Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime beer brands.

(Photo: Peroni)

The three brands are valued at around £1.9 billion, and are being sold by AB InBev in order to ease its £75bn takeover of the brands’ owner, SABMiller.

US-based KKR was initially thought to be out of the running, but a more attractive offer from the private equity company has seen it shortlisted as one of the favourites, news service Rueters reports.

Other private equity firms as well as producers Ashai Group and Thai Beverages – through its subsidiary Fraser and Neave – have reached the final stages of the process.

It is expected that their bids will be handed in mid-February, with a final decision on who will purchase the three beer brands being reached in March.

The parties concerned have been contacted for comment.