The Most Popular Beer in South Africa, Ranked

Choose the beer you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:30
In South Africa, where the diversity of beer ranges from traditional brews to modern craft innovations, choosing the right one to sip can be a daunting task. Establishing a ranking of the most popular beers can guide newcomers and connoisseurs alike through the intricate landscape of flavors and brewing techniques. This kind of ranking not only reflects current consumer preferences but also highlights trends within the market. By participating in the voting process, users have the power to shape the outcome and ensure their favorites get the recognition they deserve. Each vote contributes to a clearer snapshot of what truly resonates with beer lovers across the nation. This dynamic ranking offers a fun and interactive way for individuals to engage with the beer community and discover new favorites while affirming their loyalty to old ones.

What Is the Most Popular Beer in South Africa?

  1. 1
    38
    votes
    Castle Lager
    Britfan97 · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Castle Lager is the most popular beer in South Africa, with a history dating back to 1895. It is a crisp, refreshing lager that is enjoyed by many South Africans.
    Castle Lager is a popular beer in South Africa known for its crisp and refreshing taste. It is a pale lager that has gained a strong following among beer enthusiasts in the country. Castle Lager is brewed to perfection using high-quality ingredients, including malted barley, hops, water, and yeast. Its rich golden color and mild bitterness make it a favorite among beer drinkers in South Africa.
    • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5%
    • Type: Pale Lager
    • Color: Golden
    • Bitterness: Mild
    • Ingredients: Malted barley, hops, water, yeast
  2. 2
    39
    votes
    Black Label
    Britfan97 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Black Label

    South African Breweries (SAB)
    Black Label is another popular beer in South Africa, known for its distinctive taste and iconic branding. It is a smooth, easy-drinking lager that is enjoyed by many beer drinkers.
    Black Label is a popular lager beer in South Africa known for its distinct taste and rich flavor. It is considered a classic South African beer and has gained a strong following among beer enthusiasts in the country.
    • Style: Lager
    • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.5%
    • Color: Golden amber
    • Aroma: Mild malt and hop notes
    • Taste: Balanced, with a slight bitterness and hints of caramel
  3. 3
    22
    votes

    Windhoek Lager

    Namibia Breweries Limited
    Windhoek Lager is a popular beer in South Africa, known for its crisp, clean taste and refreshing finish. It is brewed in Namibia, but is widely available throughout South Africa.
    Windhoek Lager is a popular beer in South Africa known for its crisp and refreshing taste. It is a traditional German-style lager that embodies the pure beer drinking experience.
    • Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4%
    • Style: German-style lager
    • Color: Pale golden
    • Aroma: Mild hop aroma with hints of malt
    • Taste: Crisp, clean, and well-balanced
  4. 4
    22
    votes

    Hansa Pilsener

    Hansa Brewery
    Hansa Pilsener is a light, crisp lager that is popular among South Africans. It is brewed using only the finest ingredients, including pure spring water and carefully selected hops.
    Hansa Pilsener is a popular beer in South Africa known for its crisp and refreshing taste. It is a golden, light-bodied pilsner that has gained a loyal following among beer enthusiasts. The beer is brewed using high-quality ingredients and a traditional brewing process to ensure a consistently great taste.
    • Beer Type: Pilsner
    • Color: Golden
    • Body: Light
    • Taste: Crisp and Refreshing
    • Alcohol Content: 4% ABV
  5. 5
    17
    votes

    Amstel Lager

    Heineken N.V.
    Amstel Lager is a Dutch beer that is popular in South Africa. It is a light, refreshing lager that is enjoyed by many beer drinkers.
    Amstel Lager is a popular beer in South Africa known for its distinctive taste and refreshing flavor. It is a pale lager that caters to the preference of beer enthusiasts across the country. Amstel Lager is characterized by its balanced malt sweetness and mild hop bitterness, providing a smooth and enjoyable drinking experience. It has a clean, golden appearance with a frothy white head that adds to its visually appealing presentation.
    • Beer Type: Pale Lager
    • Alcohol Content: 4.0% ABV
    • Color: Golden
    • Aroma: Subtle hop notes with hints of malt
    • Taste: Balanced malt sweetness with mild hop bitterness
  6. 6
    14
    votes
    Heineken is a popular Dutch beer that is enjoyed by many South Africans. It is known for its distinctive green bottle and smooth, refreshing taste.
    Heineken is a popular beer brand known for its distinct taste and iconic green bottles. It is a pale lager that originated in the Netherlands and has gained worldwide recognition. Heineken has a smooth, crisp flavor with a slightly bitter hoppy taste and a hint of fruitiness. It is brewed using high-quality ingredients, including water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. The beer undergoes a controlled fermentation process and is then matured to perfection. Heineken is known for its refreshing and easy-drinking nature, making it a favorite choice for many beer enthusiasts worldwide.
    • Type: Lager
    • Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5%
    • Color: Pale golden
    • Bitterness Units (IBU): 23
    • Flavor Profile: Crisp, hoppy, slightly bitter, fruity
  7. 7
    12
    votes
    SABMiller is a South African beer that is enjoyed by many beer drinkers. It is known for its smooth, easy-drinking taste and is widely available throughout the country.
    SABMiller is a renowned South African beer brand that was established by the South African Breweries (SAB) in Johannesburg in 1895. It is one of the most popular and widely consumed beers in South Africa.
    • Type: Lager
    • Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4-5%
    • Color: Pale golden
    • Taste: Crisp, refreshing, and well-balanced
    • Ingredients: Malted barley, hops, water, and yeast
  8. 8
    6
    votes
    Stella Artois is a Belgian beer that is popular in South Africa. It is a smooth, easy-drinking lager that is enjoyed by many beer drinkers.
    Stella Artois is a Belgian lager that has gained immense popularity in the UK and across the world. It is well-known for its smooth and crisp taste, making it a favorite among beer enthusiasts.
    • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.2%
    • Color: Pale golden
    • Bitterness: Low to moderate
    • Aroma: Mild maltiness with a hint of hops
    • Ingredients: Water, malted barley, hops, and yeast
    Stella Artois in other rankings
  9. 9
    2
    votes
    Peroni Nastro Azzurro
    Birra Peroni Srl · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Peroni Nastro Azzurro

    Peroni Brewery
    Peroni Nastro Azzurro is an Italian beer that is popular in South Africa. It is a crisp, refreshing lager that is enjoyed by many beer drinkers.
    Peroni Nastro Azzurro is a popular Italian beer known for its distinctive light, crisp, and refreshing qualities. It has a pale golden color with a creamy white head. The beer showcases a balanced flavor profile with hints of malt, hops, and a touch of bitterness. Peroni Nastro Azzurro is often enjoyed as a premium lager, offering a clean and smooth drinking experience.
    • Type: Lager
    • Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.1%
    • Color: Pale golden
    • Head: Creamy white
    • Flavor: Balanced with hints of malt, hops, and slight bitterness
  10. 10
    9
    votes
    Guinness is an Irish beer that is enjoyed by many South Africans. It is known for its rich, creamy taste and is often enjoyed as a dark beer alternative.
    Guinness is a rich and creamy stout beer renowned for its distinct dark color and smooth velvety texture. It is one of the most iconic beers in the world, known for its exceptional balance of flavors. The unique combination of roasted malt, barley, and hops gives Guinness its unparalleled taste, with hints of coffee, chocolate, and a subtle bitterness. The creamy head adds a satisfying texture to each sip, making it a pleasure to drink from start to finish.
    • Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
    • Color: Deep dark ruby red to black
    • Calories: 125 per 12 fl oz (355 mL)
    • International Bitterness Units (IBU): 45-60
    • Original Gravity (OG): 1.048 - 1.052

Missing your favorite beer?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular beer

  1. Market share
    Analyze and compare the market share of various beer brands available in South Africa. Market share is an indicator of popularity among consumers, reflecting sales volume and consumption.
  2. Availability
    Determine the accessibility of different beer brands in stores, bars, and restaurants across South Africa. Widespread availability is likely to accompany higher popularity.
  3. Price
    Compare the prices of beer brands to see if affordability plays a significant role in the popularity of a beer in South Africa.
  4. Advertising and marketing campaigns
    Examine the success and reach of advertising and marketing campaigns by various beer companies in South Africa, as greater brand visibility and recall can contribute to popularity.
  5. Awards and accolades
    Look at beer competitions and awards to identify which beer brands consistently win or are recognized for their quality, taste, and craftsmanship.
  6. Cultural and regional factors
    Research cultural and regional factors that may contribute to the popularity of certain beer brands in different parts of South Africa.
  7. Brand loyalty
    Identify the degree of brand loyalty among South African beer consumers, which could play a role in a beer's popularity.
  8. Social media presence and engagement
    Assess social media platforms to gauge the level of interaction and engagement beer brands have with their consumers. Positive engagement can indicate popularity or strong consumer interest.
  9. Consumer reviews and ratings
    Analyze consumer reviews and ratings online, on websites, and apps, to see which beer brands receive consistently high ratings and favourable feedback from drinkers.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular beer in South Africa. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or beer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 4104 views
  • 174 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each beer once every 24 hours. The rank of each beer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular beer in south africa

South Africa is a country renowned for its diverse culture, rich history, and stunning natural beauty. It is also known for its love of beer. In fact, beer has been an integral part of South African culture for centuries, with the first brewery established in Cape Town in 1658. Today, the country boasts a thriving beer industry, with a range of local and international brands available to consumers. So, what is the most popular beer in South Africa? Let's take a closer look at the top contenders and find out.

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