Asahi
Kenya Approves Asahi's Acquisition Of Diageo Assets
Kenya's competition authority approved Asahi Group Holdings' application to take sole control of Diageo's assets in the country. Diageo announced in December 2025 that it was selling its 65% stake in East African Breweries Limited to Asahi for $2.3 billion, part of a strategy to exit the African market. Approval came with the condition that the merged entity must reserve at least 20% of retail refrigeration space for non-EABL or Asahi-branded products. Kenyan distributor Bia Tosha challenged the deal, but a court dismissed the suit in April.
Carlsberg
Carlsberg Asia Expands RedNote Partnership With New Campaign
Carlsberg Asia is deepening its partnership with RedNote, China's social commerce platform, through a digital campaign called “Cheers from the Origin.” Collaboration expands engagement across Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, building on a framework established last year with RedNote and combining Carlsberg's portfolio with the platform's data insights and creator network. The campaign, starring Chinese actor Shawn Dou, showcases Carlsberg's 179 years of heritage through a cinematic film and a series of online-to-offline beer experiences. It opens at the Home of Carlsberg in Copenhagen and runs through October 9, 2026.
Companies
Lucozade Energy Launches Zero-Sugar Sherbet Twist Flavor
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I is expanding its Lucozade Energy range with a new zero-sugar flavor, Sherbet Twist, rolling out across grocery and convenience channels this week in 500ml price-marked and standard packs, plus a 900ml format initially exclusive to Tesco. It follows continued growth for Lucozade Energy, which recorded value sales of around £395 million over the past year, up 2.6%. Lucozade also expanded through Grafruitti, which returned as a permanent addition earlier this year and generated £8.8 million in value sales since launch.
Carlsberg Malaysia Returns to Growth With Premium Brands
Carlsberg Malaysia returned to revenue growth with a 5.9% year-on-year rise in the first half of fiscal 2026 and a 3.1% increase in net profit. Alcohol-free brews were up 45%. Managing director Stefano Clini credited the launch of lower-calorie Somersby Apple Light and strong double-digit growth from Sapporo Premium Beer, which recently marked 150 years as Japan's “Iconic First Beer,” but cautioned that a 10% excise duty rise and Middle East supply risks require continued discipline.
Varun Beverages Unveils Two New Kenyan Brands
VBL Industries (Kenya) Limited launched two new brands, BOLT UP energy drink and XTREME FIZZ carbonated soft drink. The launch forms part of a long-term growth strategy investing in distribution and retail presence, with BOLT UP targeting young, active consumers and XTREME FIZZ competing in the carbonated soft drinks category. VBL plans to support both brands with expanded distribution across traditional outlets, including wholesalers and neighborhood shops, plus shelf and chiller visibility in modern trade.
C&C Group Acquires Asahi UK's Wholesale Business
C&C Group agreed to acquire Asahi Group Holdings' Nectar Imports wholesale and distribution business in the UK for “nominal consideration.” The new assets will be added to C&C's Matthew Clark Bibendum wholesale operation. Asahi will end direct distribution from its Griffin Brewery site in west London, transferring those operations to MCB, while retaining full ownership of the brewery and its London Pride production. CEO Roger White said the deal would deliver “immediate scale and efficiency” to the group.
Lotte
Lotte Chilsung Launches Del Monte Chuseok Gift Sets
Lotte Chilsung Beverage introduced seven varieties of Del Monte juice gift sets for the Chuseok holiday, split between large 1.5L PET bottle sets and small 180ml bottle sets. Larger sets include an “Affection Set” with Jeju Mandarin, plum and grape juices; a “Gratitude Set” with orange, grape and mango juices; an “Abundance Set” with tomato and mango juices; and a “Happiness-Filled, Small-Sharing Gift Set” with Jeju Mandarin and plum juices plus Celebration Sikhye. Smaller sets come in three varieties, including a 10-bottle “Orange and Mandarin Set” and two 12-bottle combinations pairing grape, tomato and mango.
New Zero-Sugar Hot Six Drink Launched
Lotte Chilsung Beverage’s new Hot Six King Frozen Blue Zero is a zero-sugar, zero-calorie energy drink combining citrus notes with tropical passion fruit and grapefruit flavors. Packaging features a cool blue background with a silver phoenix meant to convey the brand's energy. It’s available at convenience stores across South Korea as well as major department stores and the company's Chilsung Mall online platform. The release brings the Hot Six King lineup to nine products.
RJ Corp
Varun Beverages' Kiva Spirits Weighs Alcobrew Acquisition
Varun Beverages' newly incorporated subsidiary Kiva Spirits is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Alcobrew Distilleries India for an enterprise value of ₹2,000-2,500 crore, marking a step into alcoholic beverages. Alcobrew's portfolio spans whisky, vodka, gin, brandy and rum brands including Gamber Valley, White & Blue and Old Smuggler, with manufacturing in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, and exports to roughly 20 countries.
Suntory
Suntory Reportedly Weighs Minority Stake in Allied Blenders
Suntory is reportedly in talks to acquire a stake of up to 15% in Allied Blenders and Distillers, India's third-largest listed spirits maker and producer of Officer's Choice whisky. Under discussion is a deal that would pair Suntory's premium spirits portfolio with Allied's distribution reach across India's mass and mid-premium segments, with possible manufacturing synergies through Allied's 38 facilities.
Suntory Launches Smaller Jim Beam Bottles In UK
Suntory Global Spirits launched 35cl bottles of Jim Beam in the UK, covering the White Label bourbon plus Pineapple and Black Cherry flavor extensions. The range will roll out through UK wholesale and convenience operators including Booker, Bestway, Parfetts and the Co-operative, with more retailers expected to follow. UK & Ireland managing director Nick Temperley said the move reflects a shift in how shoppers buy spirits.
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