The local beer industry in Singapore began in the early 1930s with the formation of Malayan Breweries Limited (MBL) in 1931 (which went on to produce Tiger Beer) and later Archipelago Brewery in 1933 (which went on to produce Anchor Beer).
The local beer industry in Singapore began in the early 1930s with the formation of Malayan Breweries Limited (MBL) in 1931 (which went on to produce Tiger Beer) and later Archipelago Brewery in 1933 (which went on to produce Anchor Beer).
In April 1931 the first commercial brewery in Singapore, MBL, was formed as a joint venture between local soft drinks producer, Fraser & Neave, and Dutch brewer, Heineken. [1] [2] The company's first brewery, located at Alexandra Road, became operational in October 1932, with the production of Tiger Beer. [3] [4] In July 1931 the Archipel Brouweriji Compagnie (Archipelago Brewery Co.) was formed in Batavia (now known as Jakarta), by German brewer, Beck's, constructing breweries in both Singapore and Batavia. [5] In November 1933 the Archipelago Brewery commenced operations from its brewery, also located on Alexandra Road, producing Anchor Beer. [6] [7]
With the outbreak of World War II, the British annexed the Archipelago Brewery in 1939, under the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Act 1939 – deeming it enemy territory for its German ties – vesting its control with the Custodian of Enemy Property. [8] In January 1941 a new company, the Archipelago Brewery Company (1941) Limited, was formed by Malayan Breweries to purchase the brewery. [9] [10]
Operations at both breweries ceased with the capture of Singapore by the Japanese in February 1942. The Japanese subsequently expropriated all the production facilities and ordered Dai-Nippon Breweries to produce beer from the breweries. Immediately following the liberation of Singapore in September 1945 by the Allied forces, operations at Malayan Breweries recommenced. [11]
In 1990, it was renamed Asia Pacific Breweries (APB). [12] [13] In 2013, APB merged with Heineken Asia Pacific and was renamed Heineken Asia Pacific to reflect its role as Heineken's regional hub.
The most popular domestic beer brands in Singapore are Tiger Beer and Anchor. APB also brews Heineken Lager Beer under a license from its parent company, while Carlsberg is also a popular beverage with wide distribution around the island. Other notable brands Baron's Strong Brew and ABC Extra Stout.
Since the mid 2000s a number of smaller microbreweries have been established throughout Singapore. There are now over fifteen microbreweries in the country. [14]
Singapore is home to a lively craft beer scene with hundreds of craft beer brands imported from around the world and well-represented in the island. Since the mid 2010s, craft beers are more available throughout bars, restaurants and hotels as well as retail outlets from supermarket to independent craft beer stores, both offline and online. Although craft beer sales only account for less than 2 per cent of Singapore's beer market, [15] it is fast growing as consumer appetites and the trend of premiumisation converts more people into drinking craft beers.
An annual beer festival, Beerfest Asia, is held in Singapore in June each year. It was first held in 2008 and attracts over 30,000 beer lovers. [16] The festival features over 500 beers and ciders from over 35 exhibitors around the world. [17]
The Asia Beer Awards, were established in 2008 and ran in conjunction with Beerfest Asia until 2013. The awards recommenced in 2016. The Asia Beer Awards are the largest beer awards held in Asia, with 160 beers competing across 15 categories. [18]
Heineken N.V. is a Dutch multinational brewing company, founded in 1864 by Gerard Adriaan Heineken in Amsterdam. As of 2019, Heineken owns over 165 breweries in more than 70 countries. It produces 348 international, regional, local and speciality beers and ciders and employs approximately 85,000 people.
Beer in Thailand was first brewed in 1933 when a licence was granted to the Boon Rawd Brewery, which still produces Thailand's best-known lager, Singha, sold in standard, light, and draught versions.
Wong Peng Soon, was a Malayan/Singaporean badminton player who reigned as a top player in Malaya from the 1930s to the 1950s when it was a single nation. Noted for his smooth but powerful strokes and graceful footwork, he won the singles title seven times in Singapore and eight times in Malaya during this period, as well as being the top player in the All England, the Danish Open, the Indian and Philippines championships to name a few.
Heineken Asia Pacific, formerly Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) is a Singaporean brewery company. Founded in 1931 as a joint venture between Heineken International and Fraser and Neave, it was renamed Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) in 1989 and given its present name after merging with Heineken Asia Pacific in 2013.
A beer festival is an event at which a variety of beers are available for purchase. There may be a theme, for instance beers from a particular area, or a particular brewing style such as winter ales.
Tiger Beer is a Singaporean brand of beer first launched in 1932. It is currently produced by Heineken Asia Pacific, formerly known as Asia Pacific Breweries. The company is a joint venture between Heineken N.V. and Singaporean multinational food and beverage company Fraser and Neave.
Beer in Asia began when beer was produced in Sumer, Mesopotamia circa 6000 years ago. It was introduced by Europeans in the 19th century, with modern breweries established in British India, the Dutch East Indies, China, and Japan. Asia's first modern brewery was established in 1830 in India entirely using European brewing technology.
Heineken N.V. is a Dutch brewer which owns a worldwide portfolio of over 170 beer brands, mainly pale lager, though some other beer styles are produced. The two largest brands are Heineken and Tecate; though the portfolio includes Amstel, Fosters, Sagres, Cruzcampo, Skopsko, Affligem, Żywiec, Starobrno, Zagorka, Zlatý Bažant, Laško and Birra Moretti.
Heineken Malaysia Berhad is a major producer of beer, stout, cider and non-alcoholic malt beverages in Malaysia and has been listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia since 1965. Among the brands they produce and market are Heineken, Tiger Beer, Tiger Crystal, Guinness, Strongbow Apple Ciders, Apple Fox Cider, Anchor Smooth, Kilkenny, Anglia, and Malta. The company also imports and distributes Heineken 0.0, Paulaner and Kirin Ichiban.
Fraser and Neave, Limited (F&N) is a Thai-Singaporean food and beverage and publishing and printing industries conglomerate. It is owned by Thai Chinese billionaire business magnate Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.
The Archipelago Brewery is a Singaporean brewery owned by Heineken Asia Pacific. It labels itself as "Singapore's Craft Brewery".
Vietnam has an established beer culture that emerged during French colonisation. Beer in Vietnamese is bia, calqued from French bière. Some beer brands or beer types that are popular in Vietnam include Bia Saigon, Bia Hanoi, bia hơi, Heineken beer, and Tiger Beer.
Beer has been brewed in Sri Lanka from five hundreds of years. In the 19th century, the British introduced British beer to Ceylon. The most popular beers in Sri Lanka are Lager-style beer.
The Heineken Lanka Limited (formerly Asia Pacific Brewery Limited is the second largest brewer in Sri Lanka.
The history of beer in Indonesia started in 1929, when the Heineken beer company established its first brewery factory in Surabaya, East Java, during Dutch colonial rule of Indonesia. This was one of the earliest beer enterprise in Southeast Asia. In July 1931 the Archipel Brouwerij Compagnie was formed in Batavia, by German brewer, Beck's, constructing breweries in both Singapore and Batavia. By 1960s, Indonesians developed their own local brands of beer, which includes Bintang Beer and Anker Beer.
Alcohol in Malaysia refers to the consumption, industry and laws of alcohol in the Southeast Asian country of Malaysia. Although Malaysia is a Muslim majority country, the country permits the selling of alcohol to non-Muslims. There are no nationwide alcohol bans being enforced in the country, with the exception of Kelantan and Terengganu which is only for Muslims. The Islamic party respects the rights of non-Muslims with non-Muslim establishments like Chinese restaurants and grocery shops being excluded from such bans. The federal territory of Kuala Lumpur has the highest alcohol consumption in the country, followed by the states of Sarawak in second place and Sabah in third place.
Beer in Malaysia started in 1968, when two leading breweries of Guinness and Malayan Breweries merged to form a new company known as Guinness Anchor Berhad. Previously, the distribution of beer in Malaysia is mainly distributed by Malayan Breweries Limited which is centred in neighbouring Singapore. Carlsberg establish its first brewery outside Kuala Lumpur in 1970. By 2007, one local brewery began to establish their presence in the country although the demands for commercial beers are much higher than a new local brand. Most beers in the Malaysian markets are imported from neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. In 2022, finally Malaysia had its very own craft beer brand known as PaperKite. PaperKite is also the first Malaysian craft beer brand to win the World Beer Awards in 2023.
Beer in Myanmar has a long history of homebrewing, with traditional brews made from rice, millet, or corn, often flavored with fruits, spices, or medicinal herbs. Commercial brewing of beer in Myanmar commenced in 1886 and until 2015 was dominated by a single producer, Myanmar Brewery Ltd.
Wilfred Lawson Blythe was a British colonial administrator who served as the second Colonial Secretary of Singapore from 30 June 1950 to 30 July 1953.
George Hemmant was a colonial administrator. He joined the Malayan Civil Service and was a cadet on 27 November 1903. He served most of his civil service career in Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements.
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