top of page

The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

FoodBev Media Logo
Access more as a FoodBev subscriber

Sign up to FoodBev and unlock more insights from the international food and beverage industry. Subscribers have access to webinars, newsletters, publications and more...

Asahi acquires Octopi Brewing to begin beer production in US
Rafaela Sousa

Rafaela Sousa

8 January 2024

Asahi acquires Octopi Brewing to begin beer production in US

Asahi Europe & International (AEI), the global division of Asahi Group, has acquired US contract brewer Octopi Brewing. Octopi Brewing built a "modern production facility" in 2014, designed to produce various beverages, such as beer and ready-to-drink products. The facility is equipped with packaging lines capable of accommodating a variety of bottle and can styles and sizes, providing maximum flexibility. The acquisition accelerates Asahi's "growth journey along with its global ambitions for Asahi Super Dry," Japan's most popular beer, said the company. This will mark the first time Asahi Super Dry will be brewed in the US. According to Asahi, the addition of a North American production facility enables the business to grow sales in the US and Canada while providing sustainability benefits, including emission reduction and supporting Asahi's goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its wider supply chain by 2050. In the next year, Octopi will be merged into AEI's US subsidiary, Asahi Beer USA. It will begin the production of key global brands like Asahi Super Dry and Kozel for the North American market. Additionally, Octopi will handle a broader portfolio of brands for distribution and sale in Canada. Octopi will continue its co-packing operations, and its current leadership team, led by president Isaac Showaki, will remain in place. Asahi also plans to invest additional capital to meet the technical standards for producing Asahi Super Dry in the US. This process will be overseen by Japanese brew masters, following the same standards, recipe and brewing procedures used in Asahi's existing breweries. Paolo Lanzarotti, CEO of AEI, 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." Victoria Segebarth, managing director of EMEA & Americas at AEI, added: "By making this investment, we are taking a major step forward in accelerating the growth journey of our global brands, expanding awareness, reach and access across North America through existing and new on and off trade partners." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Related posts
World Beverage Innovation Awards 2024: Shortlist announced
Awards

World Beverage Innovation Awards 2024: Shortlist announced

Best Day Brewing secures $22.5m in funding to expand non-alcoholic beer offerings
Funding & Investments

Best Day Brewing secures $22.5m in funding to expand non-alcoholic beer offerings

Premium non-alcoholic beer, Bero, launches in US
New products

Premium non-alcoholic beer, Bero, launches in US

IFF introduces Diazyme Nolo to enhance no- and low-alcohol beer production
Alcohol

IFF introduces Diazyme Nolo to enhance no- and low-alcohol beer production

Embracing mindful drinking: The rise of the full-flavour, guilt-free beer experience
Partner content

Embracing mindful drinking: The rise of the full-flavour, guilt-free beer experience

Foamy flavours: Beer cocktails hop into the happy hour spotlight
Beverage

Foamy flavours: Beer cocktails hop into the happy hour spotlight

bottom of page