Business | South African beer

Big lion, small cage

Aug 10th 2000|Johannesburg

TO SAY that South African Breweries (SAB) somewhat dominates its domestic beer market is a bit like saying that apartheid was somewhat unfair. Of every 50 beers that South Africans quaff, spill or slosh over steaks on the braai, 49 are brewed by SAB. Its brands—Castle, Lion and several others—are tasty enough, but that does not explain the firm's dominance. SAB's strength derives from its abnormal skill at coping with the demands of a highly abnormal market.

This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “Big lion, small cage”