SAB Miller is eyeing a £6bn swoop for the African beer business of Groupe Castel, the French brewer that owns the Nicolas off-licence chain.

The Grolsch and Peroni brewer has entered talks with Castel over a possible deal, according to The Times.

The two companies already have close links, with SAB Miller already holding a 20% stake in the French company’s African business.

News of the bid comes after SAB Miller was linked with a £7bn approach for the beer division of Foster’s Group. SAB Miller has relied on expansion in emerging markets to fuel growth, with the group’s recent results showing European beer volumes in decline.

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Good call? Or are the rumours just silly-season deal talk? (analysis; 28 August 2010)
SAB Miller mulls over £7bn Foster’s bid (23 August 2010)