From gold rush to global giant: The legacy of SAB

South African Breweries (SAB), now a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, has been a cornerstone of South African culture and industry for over a century.

Its journey from a modest brewery in Johannesburg to a global brewing giant is a testament to its resilience, innovation, and deep-rooted connection to South Africa.

Encyclopedia.com stated that “in many ways the history of SAB is the history of the South African brewing industry… SAB owes much of its success to a consistently strong demand for beer, or what the company refers to as ‘thirst’."

The story of SAB begins in 1886 during the Johannesburg gold rush, according to its website.

Charles Glass, a British brewer, established Castle Brewery to serve the growing community of miners and prospectors and, in 1896, Castle Lager was introduced as competition to Ohlssons Lion Lager.

According to the JSE’s website, SAB listed on the bourse in 1897 and is the second-oldest company to offer public shares that remains listed, after DRDGold.

Encyclopedia.com said that SAB was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1895.

It also, somewhat, helped war efforts as “Castle Beer accompanied South African soldiers to the East African and Mediterranean theatres of World War II,” said Encyclopedia.com.

The website added that “SAB entered a new stage of its development in 1950. That year, in the midst of a large corporate modernisation program, SAB decided to move its head office from London to Johannesburg. In 1951 the company acquired the Hotel Victoria in Johannesburg.”

SAB took a hit to its 90% stake – now as a conglomerate owning several other companies – when Whitbread and Heineken entered the South African beer market in 1960.

Over the years, it has steadily introduced new brands and now offers Carling Black Label, Castle Lite, and Hansa Pilsner, alongside global brands such as Corona and Stella Artois, in addition to stalwart Castle Lager.

The 1990s marked a period of international growth for SAB. In 2002, it acquired Miller Brewing, forming SABMiller plc, which became the world's second-largest brewer by revenue.

In 2016, Anheuser-Busch InBev acquired SABMiller, integrating SAB into its global operations. The acquisition, valued at £69 billion, ended the corporate use of the name SABMiller, and the new entity began trading as Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV.

In 2025, SAB commemorated its 130th anniversary, reflecting on its journey from a modest brewery to a significant player in the global beverage industry.

In a statement earlier this year, Zoleka Lisa, VP of Corporate Affairs, said, “for 130 years, SAB has been more than a brewery – we have been a trusted partner in South Africa’s growth”.

Beyond brewing, SAB has played a significant role in South Africa's cultural landscape. In the 1960s, the company sponsored the Cold Castle National Jazz Festival. It was instrumental in producing the influential LP, Jazz: The African Sound.

These festivals brought together renowned South African jazz musicians, contributing to the country's rich musical heritage.