| 1. | South Africa is one of Africa’s top beer consumers | SA consistently ranks in the top 3 beer-consuming countries in Africa, alongside Nigeria and Angola. |
| 2. | Castle Lager is the OG of Mzansi beer | Brewed since 1895, Castle Lager is one of SA’s oldest and most iconic beers. It was even awarded “World’s Best Lager” in 2000. |
| 3. | South Africans drink around 60–70 litres of beer per person per year | That’s higher than the global average and makes beer the most popular alcoholic drink in the country. |
| 4. | Traditional African Beer is still widely brewed | Known as umqombothi, this sorghum-based beer is low in alcohol but rich in culture, often used in ceremonies and social gatherings. |
| 5. | Gauteng leads beer consumption | Jozi and surrounding areas record some of the highest beer sales in the country. No surprise — Jozi gents love their beer! |
| 6. | SA’s beer industry supports over 250,000 jobs | From brewers to bottle suppliers, it’s a major part of the economy. SAB is one of the biggest employers in the country. |
| 7. | Craft beer has exploded in popularity | Especially in Cape Town, Durban and Joburg, craft breweries are booming with unique flavours and local ingredients. |
| 8. | Zamalek isn’t just a nickname | Carling Black Label is affectionately called Zamalek because of its high alcohol content (5.5%) and “strong” rep among fans. |
| 9. | SAB World of Beer was a Jozi tourist attraction | Located in Newtown (before closing in 2019), it gave tours, tastings, and SA beer history – a true celebration of beer culture. |
| 10. | Alcohol bans during COVID-19 saw beer sales crash | During lockdown, beer sales were halted – SAB even cancelled R2.5 billion in investments due to the repeated bans. |
