Beer in Africa

African beer refers to all beers made in Africa. Beer, especially lager, is produced commercially in most African countries, and varieties of beer are also made by indigenous tribes.

Beer Consumption

Like in the rest of the world, drinking beer is common throughout the African continent. Beer is served in a range of locales, from neighbourhood shebeens to upscale bars. Many countries have standardized beer bottle sizes, which are cleaned and re-used, and so when buying beer at a store often people must pay a deposit on the bottle as well as the price of the beer. South Africa consumes the most beer of any African country, with an average of 59.2 litres of beer consumed per person annually.

Indigenous beers

The brewing of beer is a common practice among Africans in rural areas. Varieties and types of beer depend on local customs and resources. Among various beers brewed locally are honey beers and ginger beers.

A typical alternative to glass-bottle beers is local beer sold in tetra-pak style paper cartons. South African Breweries produces Johannesburg beer, and the popular, if stigmatized, Chibuku beer is popular throughout Southern Africa.

Commercial beers

Southern Africa

Zimbabwe: Zambezi is Zimbabwe's national beer, brewed by National Breweries on Manchester Road, Harare. It is made from malt, maize, hops and water, and is 4.7% abv. Other major beers include Bohlingers, Lion, Eagle and South African Breweries' Carling Black Label and Castle.

Chibuku Shake Shake, so called by the need to shake the carton before drinking it, is brewed by Chibuku, and remains a popular beer in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi.

Namibia: Windhoek Lager, named for the country's capital, is the largest brewer in Namibia. The country, a former German colony, has a long history of brewing and makes some of the finest lagers, comparable to their German counterparts.

Zambia: Zambia's main beer is Mosi Lager, named for the indigenous name for Victoria Falls (Mosi Oa Tunya). Zambia's premier beer Mosi's motto is 'Truly Zambian' and it is said to have won several awards in the 1970's.

Mozambique: Mozambique produces two of the most awarded beers in Africa: Laurentina Clara, a Pilsener, and Preta, a dark lager. Manica is also reputed to be one of Africa's finest Lagers, and 2M (pronounced dosh-em), produced by the same brewery (CdM), is also popular. Laurentina is now exported to South Africa and the United Kingdom.

South Africa: (Main article: South African beer) Of South African beers, Castle Lager is the most famous, although South Africa produces a wide viariety and brands of beers many of which are exported within Africa and beyond. South African Breweries became the worlds second largest beer producer after merging with Miller Breweries of the US.

Mauritius: Mauritius Breweries produce a local lager (Phoenix) and a strong lager (Blue Marlin). They are also licensed to brew Guinness (of the Foreign Extra Stout variety) and Warsteiner since 2003. They also brew beer destined for Madagascar (Three Horses) under licence.

Madagascar: Three Horses beer is by defacto the national beer in Madagascar. It is brew by brasserie star.

Eastern Africa

A bottle of Kilimanjaro beer

Tanzania: Safari Lager and Kilimanjaro Lager are predominant. Tanzabeer is a lager-like beer local to Tanzania which has now been introduced to the United Kingdom via Mkaka & Co in West London.

Kenya: (Main article: Kenyan Beer) Tusker, brewed by the Kenya Breweries Limited, is the most popular beer in Kenya. Popularly known as 'Keroro' beer, Tusker is a source of Kenyan pride highlighted by the recent trade war between the Kenya and South African Breweries with their competing Castle and Tusker Brands. A new brewery known as Top Rank Industries produces the increasingly popular Senior Lager.

Western Africa

Nigeria: Nigeria produces a version of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout that uses sorghum. Nigerian Breweries brew under license Heineken, Tigre Bock, Kronenbourg and several local beer brands, both ale and stout types. Mopa Breweries produces the popular One Lager.

See also

• Beer and nationality
• Kenyan Beer
• South African beer

External links

• South African Beer
• The African Beer Shop