Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Gilbert + Tobin have advised Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer, on the sale of its Australian operations to Japan’s Asahi for $11 billion. Asahi was counselled by  Allen & Overy.

The subsidiary, Carlton & United Breweries, is the company behind some of Australia’s best-known beers including Carlton Draught, Great Northern, Victoria Bitter and 4 Pines.

According to Reuters, this could help AB InBev revive the stalled flotation of its Asian business as it looks to cut debt. For Asahi, the deal is its biggest ever and, according to a source close to the negotiations, will turn the Japanese firm into the world’s third biggest brewer after AB InBev and Heineken. 

The transaction comes after AB InBev shelved an initial public offering (IPO) to sell a 15% stake in its Asian operations, including Australia, citing factors including unfavourable market conditions, added Reuters.

The G+T team was led by partners Neil Pathak, Craig Semple, Deborah Johns, Elizabeth Avery, Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Simon Lynch, Muhunthan Kanagaratnam, Ben Fuller and Steven Mackay.

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