Carlsberg says its future lies in selling beer in Asia

The company, whose slogan is Probably The Best Lager in the World, has 30 breweries in nine European countries.

Reports in Denmark say half the sites are set to close, but a spokesman told the BBC this was a "rough estimate".

However, the firm did say western Europe was a mature, declining, market and that it wanted to concentrate on Asia, where consumption was growing.

'Efficient network'

The Copenhagen-based firm, which has admitted it is to close its headquarters at Valby in the city, has not put any timescale on its programme of closures.

"We have to build up an efficient network of breweries in western Europe, which will mean we have to close some breweries," the firm's international media spokesman Jens Peter Skaarup told the BBC.

"We are still carrying out research into this matter and will not be able to simply implement the closures in one or two years.

"We have not yet identified where we will be closing - it depends on market developments in different countries."

He said the number may be more or less than the 15 quoted in a Danish newspaper.

Future growth

In February, Carlsberg suffered a 3% fall in profits, due to waning demand and increased marketing costs.

At the time, it said it was looking to Russia and China to provide future growth.

At present, 60% of its profits are in western Europe, 30% in eastern Europe and 10% in Asia, and the firm hopes to boost its sales in the latter two markets over the coming years.