South African Breweries Ltd

Courtesy Michael Van Der Linde

Courtesy Michael Van Der Linde

South African Breweries Ltd, Johannesburg.

Castle Lager is one of South Africa’s most well-known beers, with a history dating back to the late 19th century. It was first brewed during the Johannesburg gold rush and has since become a major part of the country’s beer industry.

In 1886, Charles Glass established the Castle Brewery in Johannesburg, recognizing a demand for beer among the miners. Castle Lager quickly became popular, and by 1889, The Digger’s News described it as a success.

In 1895, South African Breweries (SAB) was formed, with Castle Brewery as its headquarters. Two years later, SAB became the first industrial company to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Castle Lager expanded beyond South Africa and is now brewed in nine countries and available in over 40. In 2000, it won the World’s Best Bottled Lager award at the Brewing Industry International Awards.

In 2002, SAB acquired Miller Brewing Company, forming SABMiller, one of the largest brewing companies in the world. In 2016, Anheuser-Busch InBev took over SABMiller, making Castle Lager part of its global portfolio.

Castle Lager remains a popular beer in South Africa and is closely linked to local culture, particularly through sports sponsorships and social events. Despite changes in ownership, it continues to be widely consumed both locally and internationally.

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Courtesy Michael Van Der Linde