Japan’s Most Popular Beer Will Soon Be Brewed in Wisconsin

It's no secret, Wisconsin makes a lot of great beers. Many of which I also enjoy thoroughly — Potosi, New Glarus, Capital, Lakefront, Waterstreet, the classics like Miller and Pabst — I could go on and on about the amazing Wisconsin brewed beers I've had and enjoyed in my life. Now a beer I've never tried is looking to join the brewing fold of Wisconsin... straight from Japan!

That's right — Asahi Super Dry, Japan's most popular beer, is about to start flowing from taps and bottles made in the Badger State. Not long ago, Asahi Group Holdings announced their acquisition of Waunakee's very own Octopi Brewing. This move allows Asahi to produce their signature Super Dry beer in the U.S. for the first time, all while expanding their presence in North America. The current plans show brewing of Asahi to begin at Octopi later this month in Wisconsin.

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According to the Longview News Journal, Paul Verdu is stepping in to lead this ambitious growth plan. He's the new Managing Director of Asahi Beer USA and Octopi Brewing,  with a background that includes experience with industry giants like Molson Coors and Constellation Brands. His role will involve overseeing everything from sales to supply chain as Asahi integrates Octopi Brewing into their larger strategy.

Octopi Brewing, founded in 2015, has been making waves in the contract brewing world, producing over 220,000 barrels in 2022. While they’re known for crafting beers under their own Octopi Beer brand and the creative Untitled Art collaboration, their expertise will now fuel Asahi’s push to introduce Super Dry to more American drinkers.

Asahi is investing over $35 million into Octopi’s facility to expand its capabilities. This includes new brewing equipment supervised by brewmasters from Japan and the Czech Republic to ensure every sip of Asahi Super Dry maintains its signature Karakuchi flavor — that crisp, dry finish beer fans love. The upgrades will also bring improved safety systems, better quality control, and a brand-new bottling line to meet increased demand.

The investment isn't just about beer, though. Octopi’s workforce has already grown by 5.4% since Asahi took over, showing that this expansion is creating local opportunities as well.

So, if you’re a beer enthusiast like me, this news is exciting. Asahi Super Dry — a beer famous worldwide — will soon have that local Wisconsin touch. I can’t wait to give it a taste and see how it stacks up against my other favorite legendary local beers. Cheers to even more beer magic brewing in Wisconsin!