Australia | Despite having been in and out of lockdowns for longer than any of us, many Australians have become rather serene about their lot. But come the sale of craft brewer Stone & Wood to the country’s number two brewer, Kirin-owned Lion, in September, there was suddenly talk about it “sending shockwaves through the industry” (the website craftypint.com). Elsewhere, the acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, has been described as a bombshell, the end of an era, a devastating blow for the independent sector, etc.

Australia | It sent shockwaves around the industry when Lion announced it has acquired 100 percent of the Fermentum Group, which owns one of the country’s largest and most staunchly independent craft brewers, Stone & Wood, for an estimated AUD 500 million (USD 370 million). The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, was reported on 9 September 2021.

India | As in the old adage “everything comes to him who waits”, Heineken, on 23 June 2021, bought 39.6 million shares in United Breweries (UBL), which pushed its holding to 61.5 percent from 46.5 percent previously.

Australia | It is surprising that Australia’s number two brewer, Lion, would sell a very big brewery, which could give someone else a free kick into the market.

Australia | What is their exit plan? The craft drinks group, Mighty Craft, will pay AUD 27 million (USD 21 million) in cash and AUD 20 million in shares to acquire the Adelaide Hills Group, which has a craft brewery, a cidery and a distillery, on top of owning 75 percent of a hospitality venue in the Adelaide Hills, known as Lot 100.

Australia | Being locked down in Tasmania and unable to travel anywhere, Dr Evan Evans put his free time to excellent use. He wrote a book simply called Mashing.

Australia | Are Australian media suffering from a dearth of big news that they had to hype Asahi’s recent purchase as a major deal? Asahi, the owner of Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), acquired the Melbourne coffee company Allpress Espresso, making it the brewer’s first foray into Australia’s AUD 1.3 billion (USD 950 million) wholesale coffee market.

Australia | It is a victory of sorts. While craft brewers celebrated the announcement on 1 May 2021 that the beer excise tax rebate will increase from AUD 100 000 to AUD 350 000 per annum, as of July this year, many worry that it will not benefit the brewers but the publicans.

Singapore | Given the worsening covid pandemic, ThaiBev, one of southeast Asia’s major brewers, announced that it is postponing its plans to sell a 20 percent stake in its regional beer business via a Singapore listing.

India | A fire sale by another name? Molson Coors sold its Indian business, including the high ABV Thunderbolt beer brand, after suffering a setback in the state of Bihar, following the introduction of prohibition in 2016 and a general decline in sales due to the pandemic.