Waunakee’s Octopi Brewing was acquired earlier this month by a Japanese brewing company, according to the Waunakee Tribune. Asahi Europe & International made the announcement on Jan. 5.
Octopi Brewing was first opened by founder Isaac Showaki in 2015 with six employees. The brewery at that time was 16,000 square feet and produced 130,000 cases of beer annually. The business currently has around 250 employees and over the last nine years has constructed three additions, including a 200,000-square-foot production and distribution facility. The company’s goal last spring was to produce 7 million cases in 2023, and beer now makes up less than 20% of Octopi’s production.
Showaki will remain with the company as managing director. The Asahi acquisition will allow Japan’s most popular beer, Asahi Super Dry, to be brewed in the U.S. for the first time.
