BREWDOG has laid down a further marker in its global expansion strategy after announcing it will open its first bar in Asia in March.

The Tokyo outlet will be the second to be opened overseas by the craft beer producer, following the launch of a bar in Stockholm, Sweden, during the summer.

The announcement comes after it opened a bar in Shepherd's Bush, London, its third in the UK capital, earlier this week.

Aberdeenshire-based BrewDog has also started work on an outlet in the Pinherios area of Sao Paulo, Brazil, which is also slated to open next year.

Based in the city's Roppongi district, BrewDog Tokyo will adopt a similar blueprint to the operator's existing outlets.

It will feature 20 draught taps alongside a rotating selection of beers from around the world. The bar will also be designed in "authentic BrewDog style", with fixtures and fittings imported from the UK.

The expansion of the firm's bar portfolio, which currently numbers 13, is being bankrolled by the third round of crowdfunding it has undertaken.

BrewDog is on track to raise £4.25 million from investors under its latest Equity for Punks drive, having lifted the target by £250,000 to meet demand for shares.

l United Spirits has begun the process of appointing investment bankers for the sale of key brands and assets of Whyte & Mackay.

The move follows an offer by Diageo, which holds a 25%, controlling stake in United, to offload the bulk of the Glasgow-based distiller to alleviate competition concerns in the UK.