North American production will allow Asahi to grow sales in North America while reducing distribution-related emissions
Asahi to begin brewing beer in US. (Credit: PR Newswire/ Asahi Europe & International)
Asahi Europe & International (AEI), the international branch of Asahi Group Holdings, today announced the acquisition of Octopi Brewing, a leading contract beverage production and co-packing facility located in Waunakee, Wis.
The investment represents a significant step forward in accelerating Asahi’s growth journey along with its global ambitions for Asahi Super Dry, Japan’s most popular beer, which will now be brewed in the U.S. for the first time.
The addition of a North American production facility will allow Asahi to grow sales in the U.S. and Canada, as well as offer significant sustainability benefits, including reducing emissions and supporting Asahi’s ambition to become carbon neutral across its wider supply chain by 2050.
“Local production in North America has been an ambition of ours for some time because of the benefits it will bring,” said Paolo Lanzarotti, CEO, Asahi Europe & International. “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.”
Octopi Brewing’s modern production facility was built from the ground up in 2014 to make a wide range of beverages, including beer and ready to drink products, using state-of-the-art packaging lines that can accommodate multiple styles and sizes of bottles and cans for maximum flexibility.
Victoria Segebarth, Managing Director, EMEA & Americas at Asahi Europe & International said, “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”
Over the coming year, Octopi will be integrated into AEI’s U.S. subsidiary, Asahi Beer USA, and will begin production of key global brands Asahi Super Dry and Kozel for the North American marketplace along with a wider portfolio of brands for distribution and sale in Canada. Octopi will continue its co-packing operations and its existing leadership team will remain in place under Isaac Showaki, President, Octopi Brewing
Asahi will also invest additional capital to help meet the technical standards required to produce Asahi Super Dry, under the supervision of Japanese brew masters in the U.S. following the same exacting standards, recipe and brewing process used in Asahi’s existing breweries.
First introduced in 1987, Asahi Super Dry is Japan’s #1 bestselling beer and has become a global icon of modern Japan. Brewed to authentic Japanese standards using only the finest ingredients and latest technology, Asahi Super Dry delivers a crisp, clean and quick finish that never lingers.
Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., is a global food and beverage production leader headquartered in Tokyo with a diverse portfolio of brands, including premium beers such as Asahi Super Dry, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Kozel, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch.
Source: Company Press Release