Lena Savoie
South Africa is known for its diverse alcoholic beverage preferences, with beer being the most popular choice. The country ranks fifth in global alcohol consumption, with an average of 30 litres of alcohol consumed per person annually. Beer is considered South Africa's unofficial national drink, especially during sporting events, with 72% of beer consumers being male. The most consumed alcohol brand in the country is 4th Street Wine, a sweet wine variety, followed by other popular brands like Savannah Dry, Black Label, Brutal Fruit, and Gordon's Gin. South Africa also boasts a thriving craft beer scene and is home to renowned wine farms producing internationally acclaimed wines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most consumed alcohol brand | 4th Street Wine |
| Second most consumed alcohol brand | Savannah Dry |
| Third most consumed alcohol brand | Black Label |
| Fourth most consumed alcohol brand | Brutal Fruit |
| Fifth most consumed alcohol brand | Gordon's Gin |
| Average alcohol consumption per person per year | 30 litres |
| Percentage of adult population that consumed alcohol in the past month | 49% |
| Preferred choice of alcohol for 41% of the population | Beer |
| Percentage of the population that consumes non-alcoholic beer | 500,000 |
| Popular non-alcoholic drink | Rooibos |
| Local, micro-brewed beer | Umqombothi |
| Popular liqueur | Amarula |
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What You'll Learn
Most popular alcoholic drinks
South Africa ranks fifth globally in alcohol consumption, with the average South African alcohol consumer drinking 30 litres of alcohol in a year. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in South Africa, with 41% of drinkers consuming it. The most popular beer is Castle Lager, one of the country's oldest beers, dating back to 1894. It has won several awards, including World's Best Bottled Lager. Other popular beer brands include Carling Black Label, Boston Breweries, and Devil's Peak.
Wine is another popular alcoholic drink in South Africa, with 4th Street Wine being the most consumed brand in the country. This is followed by other popular brands such as Savannah Dry, Brutal Fruit, and Gordon's Gin. South Africa is known for its internationally acclaimed wines, including local specialties such as Jerepigo, a sweet dessert wine with a dash of brandy, and Pinotage, a mix of Cinsaut and Pinot Noir grapes.
Spirits are also consumed in South Africa, with whisky being a popular choice, particularly Jameson and Bain’s, the first South African whiskey to be named the World’s Best Grain Whisky. Amarula, a smooth, aged cream liqueur made from the fruit of the African marula tree, is another popular choice. It can be enjoyed on the rocks or as a springbokkie cocktail, layered with peppermint liqueur and/or green crème de menthe.
Lastly, there are some traditional South African alcoholic drinks, such as umqombothi, a low-alcohol beer made with corn, sorghum malt, yeast, and water, commonly consumed by the Xhosa people. Witblits, a grape-fermented brandy, and its fruitier alternative, mampoer, are also popular in the Western Cape region.
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Popular non-alcoholic drinks
South Africa ranks fifth globally in alcohol consumption, with the average South African alcohol consumer drinking 30 litres of alcohol per year. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink, with 4th Street Wine being the most-consumed alcohol brand in the country. Nearly half of South Africa's adult population consumed alcohol in the past month, but interestingly, half a million consumers choose to drink non-alcoholic beer.
The non-alcoholic drinks market in South Africa is growing, with a range of options available for those looking to cut down on their alcohol intake or live a healthier lifestyle. Here are some popular non-alcoholic drinks in South Africa:
- Non-alcoholic wine – Alcohol-free wine has gained popularity in South Africa, with brands like Leopard's Leap offering a Natura range that doesn't compromise on taste. Thomson & Scott's 'Noughty' Rouge Wine is another popular choice, offering a dry and bubbly experience.
- Mocktails and tonics – For those who want to indulge in a sophisticated drink without the alcohol, mocktails and tonics are a great option. Websites like Drink Nil offer a range of unique and interesting alcohol-free alternatives, including martini and Aperol Spritz-like drinks.
- Non-alcoholic gin – Gin lovers can enjoy their favourite spirit without the alcohol. Non-alcoholic gin options are available, providing a refreshing and satisfying experience.
- Juice – Fresh fruit juices are a popular choice for non-alcoholic drinks in South Africa. Consumers can enjoy a variety of tasty and healthy options, such as Mahala Amber, which offers a refreshing experience with its unique chili, spice, and wood notes.
- Non-alcoholic beer – For those who enjoy the taste of beer but want to avoid the alcohol, non-alcoholic beer is a perfect choice. It provides the same refreshing experience without the intoxicating effects.
- Seltzers – Seltzers are a popular non-alcoholic option in South Africa. They offer a light and refreshing drinking experience, perfect for those looking for a healthy alternative to alcohol.
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$17.95
Local beers
South Africa has a thriving craft beer scene, with many local breweries producing unique and interesting beers. Beer is the country's most popular alcoholic beverage, with nearly half of South Africa's adult population consuming alcohol in the past month, and 41% of drinkers citing beer as their drink of choice.
South Africa's favourite beer is Carling Black Label, with nearly two million drinkers consuming it in any given week. It is the most-awarded beer in the country, with 20 prestigious international beer awards. It is produced by South African Breweries (SAB), which controls the vast majority of the South African beer market and owns all the major brands, with the exception of some imported beers. SAB's other beers include Castle Lager, Castle Milk Stout, Castle Lite, and Hansa Pilsner.
There are also many smaller breweries and craft beers growing in popularity, such as Mitchell's, Jack Black, Agar's, Afro Caribbean, Copperlake, Devil's Peak, Clarens Brewery, Gilroy's Brewery, and Sabie Brewing Co. These smaller brands are challenging the established brands, with a massive influx of small independent brands and craft beers.
In addition to these modern craft beers, South Africa also has a long history of brewing traditional beers, such as Bantu beer and umqombothi, which is made from corn and has a lower alcohol content than most commercial beers. Umqombothi is usually drunk communally and, in the past, was only drunk by men, despite being made by women.
South Africa also has a growing beer tourism industry, with guided tours taking visitors to taprooms and craft breweries across the country.
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Popular alcoholic drinks by gender
South Africa ranks fifth globally in alcohol consumption, with the average South African alcohol consumer drinking 30 litres of alcohol per year. Beer is the country's most popular alcoholic beverage, with 41% of drinkers consuming it. However, there are differences in drinking preferences between genders.
Popular Alcoholic Drinks Among Men in South Africa
Men in South Africa are more likely to consume beer, gin, cider, liqueur, and boxed wine. Beer is the most popular choice, with 72% of beer drinkers being male. Brandy and whisky are also popular among men, with 70% and 66% male consumption, respectively.
Popular Alcoholic Drinks Among Women in South Africa
Women in South Africa tend to favour different alcoholic beverages, with champagne and flavoured alcoholic drinks (58% female consumption) being the most popular. Bottled wine (51%) and boxed wine (49%) are also preferred choices among women. Interestingly, while beer is predominantly consumed by men, some of the top alcohol brands in South Africa have a significant female consumer base, with at least 50% of female drinkers.
Unique South African Alcoholic Drinks
In addition to the popular alcoholic drinks by gender, there are also unique alcoholic beverages specific to South Africa that are enjoyed by both men and women. These include:
- Umqombothi: A traditional beer made from corn, high in vitamin B, and usually shared communally among friends and family.
- Witblits: A grape-fermented amateur brandy, commonly produced and consumed in the Western Cape, similar to American moonshine.
- Springbok Shooter: Named after the rugby team, this shooter features a layered drink with a vibrant green colour, combining creamy Amarula and peppermint liqueur or green crème de menthe.
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Popular alcoholic drinks by sport
South Africa ranks fifth globally in alcohol consumption, with the average South African alcohol consumer drinking 30 litres of alcohol per year. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in South Africa, with 41% of drinkers opting for it. It is considered the country's unofficial national drink, especially during the sporting season.
Rugby
The Springbok is a popular shooter named after the South African rugby team. It is made by layering creamy Amarula over a green peppermint liqueur or crème de menthe, mimicking the team's jersey colours.
Football
While I could not find a specific drink for football, beer is a popular drink among South Africans during sports games. Local craft beers are becoming more popular, with favourites including Mitchell's, Jack Black, Agar's, Afro Caribbean, Copperlake, Devil's Peak, Clarens Brewery, Gilroy's Brewery, and Sabie Brewing Co.
General sports
According to Eighty20, a consumer research business, the most over-indexed brands for sports enthusiasts include:
- Carling Black Label: a lager that is the most consumed beer brand in South Africa, with nearly 2 million drinkers in any given week.
- Craft beers: smaller brands have gained popularity, with craft beers coming in second place in the rankings.
- 4th Street Wine: a sweet wine that is the most consumed alcohol brand overall, with over 2 million drinkers every week.
- Savanna Dry: a cider and the second most consumed alcohol brand in South Africa.
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Frequently asked questions
According to Eighty20, a Cape Town-based consultancy firm, 4th Street Wine is the most consumed alcohol brand in South Africa, with over 2 million South Africans drinking it every week.
4th Street Wine is a variety of sweet wines from Distell. It is affordable and sells well to lower-income consumers, with five-litre boxes available for R140 from Pick n Pay.
Beer is the second most popular alcoholic drink in South Africa and is considered to be the country's unofficial national drink, especially during the sporting season. The most popular beer is Castle Lager, one of South Africa's oldest beers, dating back to 1894. Other popular alcoholic drinks include Amarula, a smooth, aged cream liqueur made from the fruit of the African marula tree, and local whiskies such as Bain's.
Popular non-alcoholic drinks in South Africa include rooibos tea, rock shandy, and mageu, a drink made from fermented mealie pap (traditional South African porridge).
