Grolsch bought by Japanese brewer Asahi in $3.5 billion deal

Japanese brewer Asahi Group Holdings agreed to buy SABMiller beer brands Grolsch and Peroni in a 3.5 billion dollar deal, news agency Reuters reported on Wednesday. Grolsh and Peroni are up for sale because SABMiller is getting rid of parts to make its merge with AB InBev possible. Asahi is the biggest brewery in Japan and accounts for 38 percent of the market share. According to Reuters, the company is looking for growth outside Japan because beer sales in the country saw a decline in the past two decades due to a shrinking population and wine growing in popularity. According to stock market commentator Jelle Maasbach, the sale of Grolsch is good news for SABMiller. "The value really lies in Peroni, Grolsch is worth much much less. The 3.5 billion dollars is even above the expected yield. The sale helps SABMiller and AB InBev to move forward together", the commentator said to BNR.