Thailand | Is this a first step towards some sort of merger with AB-InBev? Media reported on 29 November 2019 that Thai Beverage (ThaiBev), Southeast Asia’s major brewer, is planning to spin off some regional beer assets in an initial public offering (IPO) in Singapore next year.

Thailand | Given that valuations for pure-play brewers in Asia are higher than for brewers with a diversified beverage portfolio, it would make sense for ThaiBev to seek a separate listing for its beer interests in Thailand and Vietnam.

Vietnam | Euromonitor says that the beer scene in Southeast Asia is booming. Beer consumption is expected to grow 5 percent annually up to 2023 from 90 million hl in 2017, with the Philippines and Vietnam being the key drivers for growth.

Japan | The disgruntled UK-based investor FP has launched a campaign to persuade Kirin’s management to focus on beer, and ditch the “unrealistic hope” that it can thrive as a conglomerate that also includes food, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Australia | Japan’s brewer Kirin has tasked its Australian subsidiary Lion with buying craft brewers in the UK and United States. Observers wonder: Is this a coherent and considered strategy, which will prove profitable, or just a case of posting flags on a map?

Japan | A beer which actually reduces your beer belly could be the Next Big Thing. In October 2019, Kirin launched Kirin Karada Free, a functional “beer-taste beverage” in corporate speak, which doesn’t have any alcohol.

Australia | Nearly 30 years after leaving the brewery he founded, Phil Sexton is re-opening Matilda Bay as a boutique brewery in Healesville, near Melbourne, in partnership with Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), now owned by Asahi.

Belgium | Second time lucky? AB-InBev has priced the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of 1,262,350,000 shares of a minority stake of its Asia Pacific subsidiary, Budweiser Brewing Company APAC, at HKD 27 (USD 3.44) per share, media reported on 24 September 2019.

South Korea | Imports of Japanese beers have slumped to almost zero in August, after consumers have taken to shun Japanese products – a boycott which was sparked by a bitter dispute between Seoul and Tokyo.

Australia | Is CUB back into wine? The country’s major brewer has acquired Adelaide-based Riot Wine, and says it has ambitions for the company’s sales. Established in 2016, Riot currently produces about 500 hl wine per year, but CUB wants to lift that to more than 25,000 hl within five years.