Diageo puts Indian cricket team on the block

India | The rumour is exciting cricket-mad India. Diageo is reportedly considering the sale of its Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, in a deal that could fetch up to USD 2 billion. The move comes as the world’s major drinks group looks to strengthen its balance sheet by divesting non-core assets.

Japan | Asahi has partially restarted production at all six of its domestic breweries on 6 October, after it was forced to close them down following a cyber-attack that crippled its systems on 29 September. The incident brought production of iconic products, such as Asahi Super Dry beer, Nikka whisky, and Mitsuya cider, to a standstill. The suspended operations included order processing, shipping, and call centre services. Asahi operates 30 beer, beverage, and food production plants in Japan.

Australia’s two-speed alcohol tax: draught beer frozen, spirits hit

Australia | A two-speed booze tax kicked in on 4 August: beer taxes are frozen while spirits are hit by the twice-a-year price hike. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in February, had made a two-year beer tax freeze an election promise and has paused the twice-yearly tax increases on draught beer until August 2027.

UK-India trade deal: Diageo expects “high single digit” price cut

India | Diageo India will pass on the benefit of the duty reduction from the trade agreement between India and the UK to consumers. Under the trade pact, announced in early May, India will reduce duties on UK whisky and gin from 150 percent to 75 percent, and further to 40 percent by the tenth year. The trade agreement is expected to come into effect next year.

India | United Breweries, the major brewer in India, reported a 20.5 percent increase in quarterly profit on 5 May, lifted by solid demand for higher-priced beers and lower excise duty costs.

Trump tariffs: Japan’s Suntory “will produce and try to sell locally”

Japan | President Trump’s pause in his “reciprocal tariffs” was the latest twist in a period of uncertainty for many Japanese food and beverage exporters. However, the reprieve of the 24 percent tariffs could end in less than three months, while Japanese companies still have to deal with the earlier 10 percent tariff slapped on their products entering their most important market.

Craft washing: Australian retailers are called out

Australia | It has been a longstanding complaint: Independent craft brewers are accusing the country’s two major retailers, Coles and the Endeavour Group, of craft-washing. By making their mass-produced private label beers look like indie brands, they are driving small, independent brewers out of the market, media reported on 9 April.

Rajasthan: High gravity brewing could solve summer beer supply shortages

India | Indian states not only set prices for alcohol – they also determine brewing methods. The prohibition of High Gravity Brewing (HGB) has previously led to serious supply shortages during the summer months. Now the Rajasthan government, in its fiscal 2025/2026 cycle (April 2025 to March 2026), has permitted HGB, media reported on 12 March. However, this may be too late for the peak beer drinking season between May and July.

Thailand might lift ban on afternoon alcohol sales to boost tourism

Thailand | Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has instructed the relevant authorities to examine the possibility of lifting the ban on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm and on important Buddhist religious days. The discussion weighs up the social impact of alcohol control against the economic benefits of relaxing these regulations.

Sapporo reports USD 92 billion impairment charge on Stone

Japan | Sapporo Holdings was among the first Asian brewers to spend big money on American craft breweries. In 2017, it bought San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing for USD 85 million, followed by the purchase of San Diego’s Stone Brewing in 2022 for USD 165 million. Now 3D Investment Partners, Sapporo’s largest shareholder, has criticised the Japanese firm over its execution of overseas acquisitions.