Asahi Beer USA has deployed a new bottling line at its Octopi plant in Waunakee, Wisconsin.
Capable of turning out as many as 20,000 bottles an hour, the bottling line is part of Asahi’s wider $35m investment to expand its production capacity in the US.
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Asahi said the project aims to also enhance Octopi’s position as a leading co-packer for multi-format beverages.
The installation was completed as part of an equipment build-out involving nearly 90 containers.
The new line will support US production of Asahi Super Dry and give Octopi added scope in its co-packing operations, allowing it to serve a wider set of retailer and consumer requirements.
The system includes automated processes, monitoring and control functions intended to meet the quality and precision standards linked to Japanese brewing.
The first stage of commissioning will centre on Asahi Super Dry in 12oz (355ml) six-pack bottles and 21oz (620ml) 12-pack bottles.
These products are due to reach the market from mid-September 2026.
Asahi added that the line can also accommodate other bottle sizes and pack formats if demand shifts.
One of the main components is a Krones Varioline packer, which allows multipacks, trays and wraparound formats to be processed on the same platform.
According to the company, this gives Octopi the ability to handle a broader set of co-manufacturing needs without reducing large-scale efficiency.
Octopi works across beer, energy beverages, functional drinks, hard seltzers, non-alcoholic beverages and ready-to-drink cocktails, including demand in non-alcoholic and functional segments.
Octopi plant director Juan Morales said: “This is about building a platform that can handle complexity. As brands grow, they need to deliver different formats across different retail channels. This investment allows us to support that evolution with the speed, consistency and quality required for large-scale distribution.”
The Waunakee facility is Safe Quality Food (SQF)-certified and built to meet compliance requirements set by large retailers.
Asahi Beer USA managing director Paul Verdu said: “Asahi Super Dry is one of the fastest growing beer brands in the USA across bottles, cans and kegs. By investing in a high-speed bottling line alongside our existing canning and kegging capabilities, we are now localising supply across all core pack formats, reducing reliance on ocean freight and ensuring the freshest product possible to our customers and consumers.”
