Cheers: MegaBrew takes a step closer as AB InBev accepts Asahi’s $2.55bn Peroni and Grolsch bid
The MegaBrew deal has just taken a step closer, with AB InBev accepting Asahi’s $2.55bn (£1.77bn) offer for SABMiller’s beer brands Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime.
The deal – which will be Asahi's biggest acquisition and a megabrew deal of its own in Japan – comes as the Belgian firm looks to complete its £70bn takeover of SABMiller.
It is a vital component in the plan to secure antitrust approval for its takeover of the rival beer maker, which was agreed last year.
The deal is conditional on the successful closing of AB InBev's takeover of SAB and will mark the largest Japanese deal in the beverage industry since Suntory’s $16bn takeover of US spirits maker Beam in 2014.
AB InBev had only owned the Camden brewer Meantime for just over six months before it was put up for sale.