Our History

Before the paths of Asahi in Japan and our breweries in Europe came together, each of them had a long history of its own. How the time flew with Asahi and particular our European breweries that now belong to it?

asahi

1889

Osaka Beer Brewing Company established by Komakichi Torii, with the goal of producing an authentic Japanese beer.

1892

Asahi Beer launched. "Asahi" (rising sun) was named with the pride of a beer from the land of the rising sun, symbolizing promise and growth as the morning sun rises.

1900

Asahi Beer wins gold medal at 1900 Paris Expo and receives numerous awards in Japan and abroad.

1949

Asahi Breweries created through the breakup of Dai Nippon Breweries under Japanese post-war economic reforms for decentralization, as part of a push by the occupation government to encourage economic democratization.


1956

Asahi Cider was launched – alcoholic beverage made from the fermented juice of apples.

1971

Japan’s first aluminum canned beer. 

1986

Corporate Identity launched and corporate mark redesigned.

1987

Asahi Super Dry launched. Japan's first dry draft beer with a crisp and refreshing taste (not bitter or heavy). Revolutionizes the beer industry in Japan. 

1997

Asahi Super Dry launched in 12 European countries. 

1998

Asahi Beer reclaims top share of Japanese market after 45-year interval.

2003

Asahi Food & Healthcare Co., Ltd. established.

2008

Asahi acquired the stock of a leading 
freeze-dried food company, Amano 
Jitsugyo Co., Ltd.


2011

Changed to pure holding business 
structure under Asahi Group
Holdings, Ltd.

europe

1615

Grolsch Brewery founded by Willem Neerfeldt in Groenlo.

1629

The first reference to the brewery in Tychy, owned by the House of Promnoc, appears.

1718

Timisoara Brewery established, at the initiative of the Austrian authorities ruled by Prince Eugene of Savoy.

1768

Establishment of the Dojlidy brewery. 
A large brewing plant was erected in Dojlidy 
in 1768.

1842

Birth of a legend. Beer in Pilsen used to be 
brewed alternately by individual burghers 
with brewing rights. The quality varied, so 
the burghers of Pilsen had the idea of setting 
up their own brewery to make good beer. 
On 5th October 1842 in the new Burghers’ 
Brewery the brewer Josef Groll brewed the 
first batch of the new Pilsner beer that 
soon conquered the world.

1845

1845 is an important year for Fuller’s. 
It was then that the partnership papers of 
Fuller, Smith & Turner were officially signed, 
marking the start of something special for 
London's brewery scene.

1846

Birra Peroni Company established by Francesco
Peroni in the North of Italy.

1854

First batch of Kőbányai Ser produced 
in Budapest. The brewery, later tobecome 
the leading brewery in Hungary, still operates 
on the original premises.


1859

Pilsner Bier trademark. As the popularity of Pilsen lager spread throughout Bohemia and the countries around, imitations started to appear. So, in 1859 the Burghers’ Brewery had registered “Pilsner Bier” as a trademark, although this is also used by other beers from Pilsen.  

1874

Velké Popovice brewery founded. František Ringhoffer buys a brewery with a mill, fermenting cellar and malt kiln for his estate in Kamenice, and founds the Velké Popovice Brewery. The first 60hl batch of beer sees the light of day on 15th December. One year later the brewery is producing 18,000 hl, a figure which increases to 80,000 hectolitres of beer after extensive reconstruction work in 1902.


1878

Beginning of the brewery located 
in Cluj-Napoca.

1892

Brewery in the Romanian city of Brasov established.

1895

Foundation of the Hugger Brothers 
Brewery in Poznań.

1897

Theo de Groen introduces the half-liter Swingtop bottle, which has a porcelain cap, 
a rubber gasket and a metal clamp.

1913

The production of Pilsner lager passes the magical threshold of one million hectolitres. The Burghers’ Brewery becomes the largest brewery in Europe.

1950s

Fuller’s London Pride, one of Britain’s most iconic Beers was first brewed. London Pride took its name from the Latin for a flower, “Saxifraga × urbium”, that arose from the rubble in Blitz-hit areas of wartime London, and thrived against all odds becoming a symbol of hope. It has been brewed beside the River Thames ever since.


1963

Birra Peroni born in 1963.

1967

First batch of beer brewed in the Šariš brewery.


1992

Cornish Orchards launched - Andy Atkinson arrived at Westnorth Manor Farm with his herd of dairy cattle in the spring of 1992. The farm is part of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate.


1993

International expansion of South African Breweries into emerging markets begins with the purchase of majority control of Dreher Breweries, the largest brewer in Hungary.

1994

Dark Star Brewing Co launched in the cellar 
of a pub in Brighton.


1995

South African Breweries join Polish market. Technological investment process and the implementation of modern enterprise management techniques begin.
South African Breweries acquired their first brewery in Romania in Buzau.


1997

South Africal Breweries acquired 
the Šariš brewery.


1999

Lech Browary Wielkopolski and Tyskie Browary Książęce merge and form together Kompania Piwowarska SA. One of the largest and most modern brewing companies in Poland is established.

2001

South African Breweries acquired 
Plzeňský Prazdroj.

2005

SABMiller`s operations in Romania united 
under Ursus Breweries.

2017

Our common journey begins…

2017

Asahi acquired SABMiller’s beer businesses in Central Europe. Asahi Breweries Europe Group created.

2022

Asahi Super Dry partnership with City Football Group commences and includes teams in Manchester City (UK), Melbourne (Australia), Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan), Sichuan Jiuniu (China).

2022

As we emerge from the global Covid-19 pandemic stronger than ever with a renewed focus on innovation, we share our new Asahi Europe & International purpose of Creating Meaningful Connections.

2023

Asahi Super Dry, an icon of modern Japan promises to take rugby fans on a journey beyond the expected through our partnership of the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

2023

Asahi Super Dry 0.0% launches as an alcohol-free alternative offering consumers the same signature crisp, refreshing, super dry taste that has led Asahi Super Dry to being the number one selling beer in Japan.

2024

 We acquire Octopi, our first production facility in North America located in Waunakee, Wisconsin.
 

2024

The Asahi Group introduces a new visual identity and corporate statement ‘Make the world shine’ which Asahi Europe & International also adopts. The 'Sunrise Arc' signifies the morning sun, or 'asahi' in Japanese, symbolizing our aspiration to brighten the world as the morning sun does.

2024

A new multi-year partnership sees Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% enter a new racing chapter alongside Scuderia Ferrari, continuing the motorsport sponsorship journey. A destined relationship between two Italian icons. the partnership celebrates the passion and style exemplified by two Italian icons.

asahi

1889

Osaka Beer Brewing Company established by Komakichi Torii, with the goal of producing an authentic Japanese beer.

1892

Asahi Beer launched. "Asahi" (rising sun) was named with the pride of a beer from the land of the rising sun, symbolizing promise and growth as the morning sun rises.

1900

Asahi Beer wins gold medal at 1900 Paris Expo and receives numerous awards in Japan and abroad.

1949

Asahi Breweries created through the breakup of Dai Nippon Breweries under Japanese post-war economic reforms for decentralization, as part of a push by the occupation government to encourage economic democratization.


1956

Asahi Cider was launched – alcoholic beverage made from the fermented juice of apples.

1971

Japan’s first aluminum canned beer. 

1986

Corporate Identity launched and corporate mark redesigned.

1987

Asahi Super Dry launched. Japan's first dry draft beer with a crisp and refreshing taste (not bitter or heavy). Revolutionizes the beer industry in Japan. 

1997

Asahi Super Dry launched in 12 European countries. 

1998

Asahi Beer reclaims top share of Japanese market after 45-year interval.

2003

Asahi Food & Healthcare Co., Ltd. established.

2008

Asahi acquired the stock of a leading 
freeze-dried food company, Amano 
Jitsugyo Co., Ltd.


2011

Changed to pure holding business 
structure under Asahi Group
Holdings, Ltd.

2017

Our common journey begins…

2017

Asahi acquired SABMiller’s beer businesses in Central Europe. Asahi Breweries Europe Group created.

2022

Asahi Super Dry partnership with City Football Group commences and includes teams in Manchester City (UK), Melbourne (Australia), Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan), Sichuan Jiuniu (China).

2022

As we emerge from the global Covid-19 pandemic stronger than ever with a renewed focus on innovation, we share our new Asahi Europe & International purpose of Creating Meaningful Connections.

2023

Asahi Super Dry, an icon of modern Japan promises to take rugby fans on a journey beyond the expected through our partnership of the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

2023

Asahi Super Dry 0.0% launches as an alcohol-free alternative offering consumers the same signature crisp, refreshing, super dry taste that has led Asahi Super Dry to being the number one selling beer in Japan.

2024

 We acquire Octopi, our first production facility in North America located in Waunakee, Wisconsin.
 

2024

The Asahi Group introduces a new visual identity and corporate statement ‘Make the world shine’ which Asahi Europe & International also adopts. The 'Sunrise Arc' signifies the morning sun, or 'asahi' in Japanese, symbolizing our aspiration to brighten the world as the morning sun does.

2024

A new multi-year partnership sees Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% enter a new racing chapter alongside Scuderia Ferrari, continuing the motorsport sponsorship journey. A destined relationship between two Italian icons. the partnership celebrates the passion and style exemplified by two Italian icons.