The History of Newlands Brewery (SAB)

September is a month to celebrate our heritage, and what screams SAheritage more than Newlands Brewery in Cape Town.

How Newlands Brewery Started:

Newlands Brewery is quite a legend in the brewing world. Way back in the early 1820s, a Swedish chap named Jacob Letterstedt set up shop and got the ball rolling. At first, it was a small operation, cranking out European-style ales and lagers for the folks settling in the Cape Colony. As time went on, the brewery changed hands a few times and expanded as more
people fell in love with their brews.

Jump forward to the late 1800s, and South Africa was hit with a nasty drought, causing water shortages all around, including in Cape Town. But the clever folks at Newlands Brewery didn’t let that stop them. They came up with a smart technique called “Parti-Gyle”; where they used the first runnings of malted barley to make stronger beers and the later runnings for lighter
ones. It was a lifesaver, allowing them to keep brewing despite the water problem.

How Did SAB Come About?

In 1956, Newlands Brewery joined forces with other breweries to create South African Breweries (SAB), and that’s when things really changed. SAB became a big player in the global beer scene, and Newlands Brewery was along for the ride.

Present Day

Nowadays, Newlands Brewery is a big part of Cape Town’s culture. Tourists flock there for guided tours that spill the beans on the beer-making process, South African beer history, and, of course, the brewery’s own story. Plus, they usually let you taste some of their brews, which includes their classics, like Lion Lager as well as their delicious craft beers, which is a nice bonus.

In a nutshell, Newlands Brewery is a true survivor, always adapting to the times. It’s not just a brewery; it’s a piece of South African brewing history that’s still making its mark today.

A fun fact is that 80% of SA beer is packed in returnable bottles, and Newlands Brewery collects the most returnable bottles in the country.

As Market Liquors is proudly South African, we stock most of SAB’s lines. Celebrate your heritage this month with a lekker ice cold Castle. Cheers Mzansi!