INDUSTRY NEWS
S W E N Y INDUSTR SAB at the Forefront of Brewing WORLD SAB in Alrode is the largest capacity brewery in South Africa
Brewers to Benefit from Emerging Market Brewers are set to benefit from the growing consumer market in Africa as more people on the continent move from home-brewed beer and spirits to commercially produced alcohol, according to a report by Moody’s Investors Service, a company providing research for economic analysis. The report says the overall profitability of alcoholic beverage companies’ operating in African operations is high and most should benefit from continued growth in the premium segment. The beer market in Africa currently represents only five percent of worldwide volumes with four players controlling more than 80% of the market - SABMiller, Diageo, Heineken and Castel Group. They have all obtained a first-mover advantage among brewers operating on the continent. SABMiller is the fastest growing in the Sub-Saharan Africa’s region and Nigeria 4
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is one of the largest Guinness markets in the world for Diageo. In the premium segment, the Heineken brand is showing a higher rate of organic growth in Africa and the Middle East than the company’s total volume growth in the region.
Jameson Wins Six Medals at World Spirit Competition Irish whiskey, Jameson, recently won six medals at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition where judging was based on a blind, consensual procedure ensuring competitive integrity. More than 1 215 spirits from 60 countries were entered into the competition. The medals were: Double Gold for Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve, Silver for Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve, Jameson Gold Reserve, Jameson 12 Year Old Special Reserve and Jameson Select Reserve Black Barrel, as well as Bronze for Jameson Standard Irish Whiskey.
South African Breweries (SAB) Trade Brewer, Anton Erasmus, says the slightest variance in brewing, ingredients or method can affect a beer’s taste, aroma and even appearance. From the first germination of barley seeds to the final tankard of beer, only the highest standards are acceptable and that is their uncompromising commitment to brewing excellence, Erasmus explained during a media brewery tour at Alrode Brewery where he took reporters through the brewing and beer packaging process. SAB has a total of seven breweries in the country and the one in Alrode, in the East Rand of Johannesburg, is their biggest capacity brewery. Beer is best when it is fresh, so it’s packaged as quickly and efficiently as possible in high speed lines, into kegs, bottles or cans. The bottled and canned beer, which is more widely distributed, is pasteurised during packaging to ensure a longer shelf life. SAB’s portfolio of brands includes a total of nine beers. It also distributes, and in some cases, brews a number of local and international brands such as Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Miller Genuine Draft, Grolsch and Pilsner Urquell. Their flavoured alcoholic beverages are Redds, Brutal Fruit and Sarita.
