AB InBev completes sale of Carlton & United Breweries to Asahi

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Pic:getty/shane808 (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Anheuser-Busch InBev has completed the sale of Australian subsidiary Carlton & United Breweries to Asahi Group Holdings.

Carlton & United Breweries’ portfolio include Foster’s, Victoria Bitter and Carlton, alongside craft brands 4 Pines​ and Pirate Life.​ It also includes AB InBev global brands such as Corona, Leffe and Stella Artois.

Headquartered in Melbourne, Carlton & United Breweries employs nearly 1,600 people across five breweries and various offices around Australia. It joined AB InBev in 2016 as part of AB InBev’s takeover of SABMiller. 

Carlton & United is one of the two big players in Australia's beer industry, alongside Kirin-owned Lion. Along with Coopers, these three account for nearly 80% of sales volume in the country. 

AB InBev says the divestiture will allow it to accelerate its expansion into other fast-growing markets.

“Despite the challenging environment, our colleagues working on this transaction showed great dedication and remained focused on delivering to its completion. I would like to thank them and also the CUB team for their continued commitment and resilience,” said Carlos Brito, CEO, AB InBev.