Japan-based Asahi Group's international arm Asahi Europe & International (AEI) has acquired Octopi Brewing, a US-based contract beverage production and co-packing facility.  

Established in 2014, Octopi's facility is equipped to produce a diverse range of beverages and features advanced packaging lines. 

The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Asahi, as it will bring the production of Japan's popular beer, Asahi Super Dry, to the US for the first time. 

It is also poised to accelerate the company's growth and support its global ambitions. 

AEI expects the North American production site to boost its sales in the US and Canada while offering substantial sustainability benefits.  

The company aims to achieve carbon neutrality in its supply chain by 2050.  

Over the next year, AEI will integrate Octopi into its US subsidiary, Asahi Beer USA.  

The company’s facility will start producing Asahi Super Dry and Kozel beverages for the North American market, as well as other brands for distribution in Canada.  

Following the acquisition, Octopi's co-packing operations will continue under its current leadership, including president Isaac Showaki. 

To ensure the quality of Asahi Super Dry brewed in the US matches that of its Japanese counterpart, Asahi will invest in the facility as required to meet the technical standards required for production.  

Japanese brewmasters will oversee the brewing process at the site, adhering to the same stringent standards and recipes used in their domestic breweries.

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."