Fuller’s has announced the sale of its entire beer business to Asahi for £250 million in a surprise announcement on 25th January. The sale includes all its beer brands, including the iconic London Pride, the Dark Star portfolio of beers as well as the Griffin Brewery and the Cornish Orchards brands. Ownership of the licensed trade marks will be retained by Fuller’s.
The pub and hotel business owned by Fuller’s are not included in the sale. Fuller’s will form a strategic alliance with Asahi to ensure that the pub estate will continue to have access to the beer brands. Fuller’s has said that currently 87% of its operating profits are generated from its pubs and bars.
Simon Emeny, Chief Executive of Fuller’s said “This deal secures both parts of the business including protecting the heritage of the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, which was particularly important to the Fuller’s Board.”
Asahi Group Holdings is a global food and beverage company worth nearly £15 billion and based in Japan. Brands owned by the business in Europe include Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime following the acquisition of these businesses during the AB InBev sale in 2016.