Japan's Asahi places global bet on beer-brewing byproducts

From agriculture to food alternatives, beer yeast becomes major growth driver

Japan's Asahi Group Holdings is utilizing nearly a century of experience with beer yeast to expand operations in areas ranging from agriculture to non-animal milk. (Source photos by Nanami Sato and Asahi Group Holdings)

TOKYO -- In fields in Kenya, rice sown in February is steadily growing by using methods different from conventional farming. The crop lies not in flooded paddies but dry fields.