Image: SABMillerThe owners of Peroni and Grolsch have said the lager brands will be sold to a Japanese firm when its takeover of a rival is complete.
AB InBev said it will sell Peroni and Grolsch - two of Europe's best known lager brands - to Japanese brewing firm, Asahi, for a reported €2.25 billion (£1.8bn).
AB InBev is currently in the process of merging with SAB Miller in a £71 billion deal, the largest in UK history. SAB Miller originally owned the Peroni and Grolsch brands before the merger. The move to sell the lagers comes in the face of criticism over competition in the market.
AB InBev has not been ordered to sell off brands as part of the takeover, but it announced in December plans to sell them to “proactively address potential” problems over competition.
In a statement, Asahi, which also also the popular fashion brand, Super Dry, said: "This transaction will be completed concurrently with and subject to the completing of AB InBev's acquisition of SABMiller."
First expressing its interest in February, Asahi said a deal to buy these brands would "expand its growth platform in Europe and become a global player with a distinct position".
