Carlsberg signs deal to brew Sapporo beer in the UK

The Carlsberg Group has signed an agreement with Sapporo Breweries to produce and distribute Sapporo beer in the UK.

The long-term licence also covers Myanmar and both parties will explore opportunities to introduce the brand in other European and Asian markets.

Furthermore, Carlsberg and Sapporo formed a strategic joint venture across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, building on their collaboration in selling Sapporo beer in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore since 2024.

The joint venture will include Carlsberg’s existing operations in these markets as well as in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, and will have exclusive rights to produce and distribute Sapporo beer across these countries.

Carlsberg will hold a 75% stake in the joint venture and retain full operational control in the markets. The Danish brewer will receive a cash US$643m (£482m) consideration from Sapporo, which will hold a 25% stake.

Completion of the transaction remains subject to required regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Carlsberg Group CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen said: “We look forward to working with our new partner as we expand our combined business together across the joint venture markets and beyond, and begin an exciting cooperation in the UK. The long-term strategic opportunities between the two companies are truly exciting.”

Sapporo Breweries CEO Hiroshi Tokimatsu added: “By combining the strong brand equity we have built with Sapporo Premium Beer and the Carlsberg Group’s outstanding business platform across Asia and Europe, we aim to deliver even more premium and attractive experiences to customers around the world.

“This partnership represents a significant milestone in our international business strategy, and we’re confident and encouraged to move forwards together as trusted partners. Looking ahead, we will leverage this alliance as a foundation to deepen our collaboration in both existing and new markets, driving sustainable growth and creating long-term value for both companies.”

In the UK, Carlsberg’s Britvic integration, following completion of the £3.3b deal in January 2025, achieved approximately 30% of the £110m cost synergies forecast ahead of plan.

In March, the drinks giant received £33,205 from the government’s Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to aid its £132,818 front-end engineering design study looking at green thermal technologies at its Leeds manufacturing site.