The Russian brewing and soft drinks group, Ochakovo, has announced that it is to acquire the Belarus brewer, Brest.

Ochakovo is to acquire an 85% stake in Brest and will invest $20m to $25m in upgrading the company’s production facilities with the aim of doubling brewing capacity from 25m litres to 50m litres by 2006. The Russian company also plans to introduce the production of soft drinks and low alcohol pre-mixed products to Brest, targeting annual production in this segment of around 20m litres.