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BRIDGET CARTER 8 MINUTES AGO | 2.58PM

Asahi sizes up Carlton breweries

Japanese beverage giant Asahi is believed to be considering an acquisition of the Australian brewing company Carlton & United Breweries from its parent Anheuser-Busch InBev in a deal that could be worth between $6 billion and $7 billion.

It comes after the world’s largest brewer in the past week shelved plans for its $US10 billion initial public offering in Asia of Budweiser.

While discussions between Asahi and Anheuser-Busch InBev have been in train, it remains unclear whether a deal will eventuate.

CUB is an Australian brewing company based in Melbourne and purchased by Foster’s Group in 2004.

It is the company behind some of Australia’s most well-known beers including Victoria Bitter.

Foster’s was purchased by South Africa’s SAB Miller in 2011, and SABMiller was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2016.

The Belgium-based drinks company is believed to be exploring acquisitions at a time it remains eager to drive down debt......”