Anheuser-Busch InBev to sell lager brands Peroni and Grolsch in a deal that takes the firm one step closer to taking over its traditional main rival, SABMiller.

Japan's Asahi will buy the European brands in a deal worth an undisclosed amount, its original offer was €2.55bn.

The off-loading of the brands will help to ease regulatory concerns over beer's £71bn mega-merger.

Asahi - which specialises in dry lager - first signalled its interest in the pair in February, and the parties have been in exclusive talks since then.

It said that it wants has had ambitions to grow its international portfolio "for some time" and that it hopes to "expand its growth platform in Europe and become a global player with a distinct position."

This sale will only be completed if the joining of Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller is successful - that deal is expected to be confirmed during the second half of this year.

Anheuser-Busch InBev, Budweiser's brewer, has also sold its 58% stake in US joint venture MillerCoors to Molson Coors for $12bn in an attempt to ease regulators' concerns.