Asahi to close Meantime brewery in UK

Asahi Group Holdings is shutting its Meantime brewery in London as the Japanese giant looks to consolidate its production in the UK.

The brewing of the Meantime and Dark Star brands is being moved from the facility in Greenwich in south-east London to the company’s Fuller’s site in the west of the capital in Chiswick.

Asahi, which acquired Meantime in 2016, has indicated it plans to create a “standalone” consumer retail experience in Greenwich. The move would include a “continuation” of brewing, the group said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Asahi said the decision would help the company use the “extensive in-house brewing expertise and capabilities” at Chiswick and create “more efficient, sustainable operations, with a solid foundation for future innovation and investment”.

The Peroni brand owner would not disclose how many staff would be affected by the closure.

Just Drinks