Kohlberg Kravis Roberts on Thursday provided a rare fillip for the private equity industry after confirming its maiden acquisition in South Korea in a deal worth $1.8bn.

The acquisition of Oriental Brewery from Anheuser-Busch InBev marks the largest leveraged buy-out in Asia for two years. The size and scope of the deal will energise dealmakers depressed by the recent dearth of activity involving private equity firms.