It’s a well known fact that Kenyans love their beer. They are even considered one of the biggest consumers, by volume, of beer in Africa. With several brands being sold in the Kenyan market, we take a look at the top 10 popular beer brands in Kenya. (Note: The list is written in no particular order)
1. Tusker Lager
Tusker is arguably one of the best known beer brands in the country. The beer is owned by East African Breweries Limited and is the highest selling beer in East Africa with over 700,000 hectolitres being sold in Kenya per year. It is a 4.2% ABV pale lager.
2. Pilsner
Pilsner Lager’s style of brewing is inspired by the original process of brewing the first Pilsner in Eastern Europe. It comes in 500ml bottle and 330ml can formats. The beer is synonymous for its slogan “Imara kama Simba”.
3. Tusker Malt
Tusker Malt is a variation of the Tusker beer with a higher ABV level – 5.0%. As EABL’s first premium brand, TUSKER MALT Lager was initially launched in the Kenyan market in 1996 after years as an export only brand. It comes in a 330ml green bottle that has the name TUSKER embossed four times on its sides and is brewed for longer than other contemporary lagers giving it the smooth premium taste.
4. Guinness
Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness (1725–1803) at St. James’s Gate, Dublin. It is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide. It is brewed in almost 60 countries and is available in over 120.
5. Heineken
Heineken is a pale lager beer with 5% alcohol by volume produced by the Dutch brewing company Heineken International. It was first brewed by Gerard Adriaan Heineken in 1873. The beer is made of purified water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. A feature of the product is the burnt flavour that is derived from roasted unmalted barley, although this is a relatively modern development, not becoming part of the grist until the mid-20th century.
6. Summit Lager
Introduced in October 2008 as the first brand at the launch of Keroche Breweries, it is the company’s flagship beer. Summit Lager is brewed in cool conditions using a slow-acting brewer’s yeast, known as a bottom-fermenting yeast, and then stored for a period in cool conditions. It is a well-proportioned bottom-fermented lager beer with a flavour of hops, grains, and water.
7. White Cap
White Cap Lager is named after the magnificent snow capped Mount Kenya. It comes in a 500ml brown bottle.
8. Pilsner Ice
Pilsner Ice Lager was launched into the Kenyan market in November 2011. Pilsner Ice is ice brewed at sub-zero temperatures which gives it its unique full bodied taste. It comes in a 500ml long neck brown glass bottle format.
9. Senator
Senator Keg was launched by Kenya Breweries Limited with the support of the Government, in November 2004. It is specifically targeted at the low-income consumer who has given positive indications of a need for a hygienic, affordable and bona-fide beer. It is a barley beer with an ABV level of 6.0%
10. Tusker Lite
Tusker Lite is a variation of the Tusker beer with a lower ABV level of 4.0%. It comes in a 330ml bottle and was introduced into the East African market in 2011 as a low carb beer uniquely brewed with natural ingredients. The aim was to deliver an easy drinking experience.