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Asahi to brew Super Dry in the US

08 January 2024 By Louis Thomas

Asahi Europe & International (AEI) has announced the acquisition of Wisconsin’s Octopi Brewing, revealing plans to brew Asahi Super Dry in the US for the first time.

Octopi Brewing, a contract brewer based in Waunakee, Wisconsin, will become the first brewery in the US to produce Asahi Super Dry, according to a press release from AEI.

However, Asahi Super Dry intended for US distribution has previously been brewed in Vancouver, Canada by Molson Canada, triggering a lawsuit from those who argued that the product was mis-represented as a product of Japan. The case’s settlement forced the inclusion of a clear indication that it was a ‘product of Canada’.

With this controversy firmly in the past, AEI, the international branch of Asahi Group Holdings, has revealed its plans for Octopi Brewing.

AEI CEO Paolo Lanzarotti said: “Local production in North America has been an ambition of ours for some time because of the benefits it will bring. With complementary strengths and a shared growth mindset, Asahi and Octopi maintain a commitment to creating meaningful connections with our partners, the communities in which we operate and the planet.”

AEI has suggested that the acquisition of the contract brewer will help to reduce emissions (presumably from shipping) as part of Asahi’s aim to become carbon neutral across its wider supply chain by 2050.

In the coming year, Asahi Beer USA, the US subsidiary of AEI, will integrate Octopi Brewing and the facility will begin producing Asahi Super Dry and Kozel, a Czech-style beer, for North American markets.

Octopi Brewing president Isaac Showaki and his leadership team will remain in place, with Japanese brewers supervising production.

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