Asahi
Asahi’s Lemon Sour Can Delivers Sensory Twist
Asahi created a drink can that uses escaping carbon dioxide to float real lemon slices to the surface of its Mirai no Lemon Sour, enhancing the drinking experience. It builds on a previous beer can design with a fully openable lid and textured inner surface. Through extensive R&D, the company found 5mm lemon slices offered the best float and production balance. To ensure safety and freshness, the lemons are dried after being coated in sugar syrup. A custom robot places slices into cans during production.
Carlsberg
Carlsberg Debuts Beer With Regenerative Barley
Carlsberg’s “Grobund” is Denmark’s first beer brewed with 100% regeneratively grown barley malt as the first step in Carlsberg’s long-term plan to brew all its beers with regenerative grain by 2040. To scale the effort, Carlsberg signed a contract with Fuglsang and Viking Malt for nearly 15,000 tonnes of regenerative barley malt for 2025, enough to produce over 100 million liters of beer. It also plans to blend regenerative malt into its classic pilsner starting next year.
Companies
Suntory Eyes India’s Imperial Blue, Again
Suntory is reportedly reviving its interest in acquiring India’s Imperial Blue whiskey brand from Pernod Ricard, following rival Tilaknagar Industries’ funding challenges. Previously valued at $1 billion, the brand now seeks buyers at a reduced $600–$650 million price. Imperial Blue is India’s third-largest whiskey brand, though sales have slipped as consumers shift to premium options. While offers so far have been underwhelming, Suntory is seen as a strong contender. The move aligns with Pernod Ricard’s global restructuring and Suntory’s goal of reaching $1 billion in Indian revenue by 2030. Binding offers are expected within days.
Lotte
LOTTE Launches Summer Beverage Sale Online
LOTTE Chilsung Beverage is hosting a summer promotion on its official Chilsung Mall website, offering up to 50% off 63 popular drinks for a short period. The campaign, “Refresh Your Body and Mind,” features favorites like Chilsung Cider Zero, Hot Six The King energy drink, and Oatmond, a plant-based beverage. Shoppers can also download a basket coupon for an extra ₩5,000 discount. To boost engagement, LOTTE is running a comment event where users who share their favorite fridge drink on the event page receive 500 Chilsung Mall points.
LOTTE Targets Zero-Calorie Drink Growth
LOTTE Chilsung Beverage is ramping up efforts to boost sales of its zero-calorie drinks, like Chilsung Cider Zero, amid declining profits and a sluggish domestic market. Despite increased revenue last year, the company’s operating profit fell 12%, and recovery in the sluggish market is slow. To compete, LOTTE launched aggressive sales tactics, such as pushing sales through small snack shops. It also cut this year’s capital spending from 240 to 180 billion won and is releasing a new orange-flavored Chilsung Cider Zero.
Suntory
Suntory Denies Acquisition Talks With Arkay Beverages
Suntory denied talks to acquire a stake in Arkay Beverages, countering interpretations of Arkay’s comments during its recent investment announcement. Arkay, a maker of alcohol-free spirits, stated that a major Japanese spirits company was in advanced discussions to buy 10% of its business for $150 million, aiming to expand into the Asian market. However, a spokesperson from Suntory Global Spirits said there were “no discussions” with Arkay. Suntory continues to focus on its own brands, including RTD products like -196 and On The Rocks, as it strengthens its position in key categories.
Suntory Introduces Global Ao Whisky Highball
Suntory is releasing its first ready-to-drink highball made from its blended World Whisky Ao, which combines spirits from five countries: Japan, Ireland, the US, Canada and Scotland. Ao means “blue” in Japanese. The name symbolizes the sea that connects these countries. Rather than blending for uniformity, Suntory layers each whisky’s unique qualities for a rich, smoky and slightly sweet flavor. This 9% ABV canned cocktail follows the brand’s earlier Hakushu Highball release and will be available in limited quantities starting August 5 for 350 yen (about $2.40) across Japan.
Suntory Expands Hydrogen Use In Japan
Suntory Group is advancing its hydrogen initiatives in Japan, aiming to lead the green hydrogen value chain by 2027. Despite canceling a planned hydrogen plant in Scotland after losing UK funding, Suntory unveiled its “Green Hydrogen Vision,” including hydrogen-powered whisky distillation at its Hakushu and Chita distilleries. Starting in 2025, it will operate Japan’s largest 16MW Power-to-Gas system and begin selling hydrogen externally by 2027, focusing on Yamanashi Prefecture and Tokyo. The plan also explores future hydrogen use at other facilities like the Takasago Plant.
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