Beer in Ethiopia is the most popular industrial alcoholic beverage in the country with lager being the most consumed type of beer. In the rural sector, the home-brewed tella or siwa are still dominant.
History The first brewery in Ethiopia was established in 1922 by St. George Beer (named after the patron saint of Ethiopia). Brands like Meta and Bedele are also older in Ethiopia but have since been acquired by foreign companies and re-branded.
Industry Ethiopia's beer industry has grown tremendously in the last two decades. It transformed into one of the most competitive industries in Ethiopia, with millions of birr spent on advertisements alone. The industry's competitiveness has led to more investment in farming, such as in malt production.
Top 15 beer brands in Ethiopia according to RateBeer.com (as of 2017) RankNameScoreCountStyle1Garden Bräu Ebony2.824Dunkel/Tmavý2Garden Bräu Blondy2.774Dortmunder/Helles3St George Amber Beer (Ethiopia)2.7261Amber Lager/Vienna4Hakim Stout2.72193Foreign Stout5Raya Beer2.695Pale Lager6Bedele Beer2.6022Pale Lager7Habesha Cold Gold2.5111Pale Lager8Walia2.4810Pale Lager9Harar2.38128Pale Lager10Meta Premium2.2563Premium Lager11Bedele Special Beer2.2465Pale Lager12Castel Beer (Ethiopia)2.1860Pale Lager13Meta Beer Export Lager2.1871Pale Lager14St. George Beer2.16208Pale Lager15Dashen Beer2.0428Pale Lager
Brands Meta () Bedele () Dashen () Jano () Habesha () Harar () Walia () Raya () Balageru Azmera St. George Beer () St. George Amber Zebedar Beer Heineken Castel Hakim Stout Garden Bräu Ebony Garden Bräu Blondy Anbessa ()
Competition with home-brewed beers As living standards increase, the more affluent segment of rural society frequently shifts from home-brewed beer to lager beer. Industrial breweries have seen this emerging market and prepared specific brands targeted at farmers: Balageru (meaning: the rural people) and Azmera beers (meaning: "good cropping season").
See also
Beer in Africa Beer by region
References