Uganda, The Pearl of Africa, is not only a natural haven but also home to a blend of unique African, satisfying and refreshing brews. Both locally made and factory processed beers are produced all over the astonishing East African country.
Given the importance and high significance of beer in Ugandan cultures, its is not a coincidence that Uganda is ranked as the leading African per capita alcohol consuming country and nineth worldwide.
Each region of the country has their own local beer. Pombe, malwa, and mubisi are some of the generic words for locally brewed fermented beer made from banana or millet. Beer in Uganda is majorly brewed from maize, sorghum, millet, banana and barley. To the local citizens, having a daily sip of these mouth watering brews is a daily endeavor. A mouthful of any of the brews is considered a thirst quenching and enriching encounter.
To enhance mindful and responsible consumption, all beers on the Ugandan market are not for sale to persons below the age of 18 and consumers are often reminded to dink responsibly. It is against the norms to serve beer to a toddler in Uganda.
As always, at Guide2uganda, we are committed to making your experience with Uganda worthwhile. In this article, we have a listed you the Top 10 beers to probably try out on your trip to Uganda. Take a look!
1. Tusker
“Bia Yangu, Nchi Yangu”, means “My Beer, My Country” in Swahili
4.2% ABV for Lager and 5% for the Malt
Ranking number one on our list is Tusker beer. Tusker is a Kenyan beer and one of the most favorite beers in Uganda. The soothing beer comes in two versions, the malt and the Premium Lager. Both are good and refreshing but the Lager comes in a bigger bottle and has a cooler look to it.
This beer came about as a memoriam following the death of George Hurst a co-founder of Kenya Breweries Ltd who was killed by an elephant during a hunting expedition in 1922. It is brewed from 100% African ingredients that are all locally sourced drawing you closer to the brand’s origins and roots. Tusker Lite beers is smooth and tastefully charming, one worth having any day any time.
Tusker is available in a 500ml bottle and 330/500ml can.
2. Club Pilsner
“Refreshingly Different”
4.5% ABV
Another beer craved by Ugandan adults, Club Pilsner. Packaged in stylish bottles and cans that are branded with white and blue designed ribbons, Club pilsner is a simple yet deserving beer. No doubt it is widely ordered all around drinking parlors and stations in the country. It has no added sugar, a perfect beer for people preferring the yeast to naturally convert carbohydrates. The beer is made from ingredients ranging from water, barley malt, maize grits, aromatic hops and medium beer. With the recently unleashed “Club shorty”, you are guaranteed to have your beer served at a cheaper cost with yet the original smooth taste.
3. Nile Special
“True reward from the Source”
5.6% ABV
A premium, pure quality Ugandan beer that has faced the test of time. Nile Special has been the flagship brand of Nile Breweries, a leading East African brewery, for the past 50 years. Over the generations, it has been trusted and appreciated by many Ugandans for its consistency. An eight times Gold Award winning beer at the Brussels-based Monde Selection International.
The beer is a smooth balance of sweet and bitter, trusted for its satisfying full-bodied character that carries a hint of pleasant ester. Having a cold bottle-full quench of this spacious beer is worth a moment on anyone in and around Uganda.
4. Bell Lager
“Great Night – Good Morning“
4% ABV
Bell Lager is Uganda’s first beer, brewed in 1950. It gets its name from the Port Bell pier where it is located along the shores of Lake Victoria in Luzira, a suburb township of Kampala, Uganda’s capital. It has been expertly brewed there ever since inception. It was also the first beer in Uganda to win the coveted gold medal in the international Monde Selection Quality award in 1992 and has consistently maintained its high quality standard from that time. It is currently Uganda Breweries Limited’s flagship beer and the number one premium lager in Uganda. Having a cold Bell Larger with leave you a lasting taste of greatness.
5. Nile Gold: Crystal Malt Lager
4.8% ABV
Nile Gold Crystal Malt Lager is a beer brewed by Nile Breweries (SAB) in Jinja, Uganda. With a Deep golden color, decent white head and an aroma of maize and over-cooked vegetables, this beer is a symbol of dominance and worth a try. Brewed with a bland flavor, some malts and maize and minimal hops, Nile Gold is a gem of a kind. The beer has a crisp, clean taste, very smooth drinking with a great after taste. Nile Gold has zero sugar added and no additives. Be assured to grab the tastefully beer at any liquor point at a relative price.
6. SmirnOff
8% ABV. Zero Sugar.8% ABV
Smirnoff is a brand of vodka owned and produced by the British company Diageo and the World’s leading Vodka drink. The award-winning vodka has robust flavor with a dry finish for ultimate smoothness and clarity. Triple distilled and 10 times filtered, Smirnoff is perfect on the rocks or in your favorite cocktail. Believed to be a great suit to the ladies, no doubt, this is the drink for those who fear the bitter taste of beer. Smirnoff comes in variations of Smirnoff ice, black and apple.
7. Guinness
“Black is bold”
4.1% to 4.3% ABV
A premium beer locally tagged to be for the “big boys”. Guinness Foreign Extra Stout draws its origin back in Dublin in 1759. It is the number one stout in the world. The beer is popular in Uganda especially to those that like its bitter sweet taste. Often taken as a punch with cola soda, the beer is the most full-flavored of all, singular and striking, uniquely satisfying, brewed with extra hops and roasted barley for a rich natural bite. The beer has a chocolate and mild roast aroma deliciously decadent like double chocolate cake.
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout comes in dark colored cans, kegs and bottles of 300ml and 500ml.
8. Castle Lite
“Unlock Extra Cold Refreshment”
4% ABV
Castle Lite is the only African beer that is made and served Extra Cold. Castle Lite’s clean crisp taste is optimal when served at Sub Zero temperatures in temperature sensitive packaging to deliver Extra Cold Refreshment every time. The South African beer is brewed under license from SAB Miller and tastes like crispy, crunchy green salads and light seafood. The beer is best served cold to maintain the refreshing hop flavor and moderate bitterness for a kick of refreshment. Its lower levels of bitterness ensure a light aftertaste and the decreased levels of carbon dioxide result in the drinker feeling less full.
Castle Lite is the only beer lagered at -2.5°C
9. Eagle Extra
6.5% ABV
Locally referred to as ‘Kamunye’, local Luganda direct for ‘eagle’, Eagle Extra is brewed from barley malt and Uganda’s finest home-grown Epuripur sorghum which is specifically cultivated for Eagle Extra and Lager. The beer has medium bitterness with a full body and a unique distinctive character. Its distinct natural sorghum character is refreshing and combines well with the high degree of clarity to make Eagle Lager a first for new clear beer consumers. Travelling beer lovers have likened this taste to certain central European beers. Grab one today and you will taste the bitter sweetness of Uganda’s naturally brewed lager.
10. Chairman’s ESB
ABV: 7.0%
An ranking number ten on our list is Chairman’s ESB – Extra Strong Brew. Chairman’s ESB is a very popular brand in Ugandan local bars and favorite to the local village consumers who like it the ‘strong’ way and best enjoy it in company of fast played local music. The beer has a pale amber color, packaged in a large bold bottle with a nice big white head. The aroma has grassy hops and a fair amount of alcohol. The taste is surprisingly smooth. A bit of buttery malt and more grassy hops. The Chairman’s Extra Strong Beer is brewed in Uganda by SAB Miller. It is best served in a Bottle only at a temperature of 9. Each bottle has 156 Calories, which is 13.3% less than the average for all Beer.
Interesting of all, almost all the above mentioned beers can be bought on the Ugandan market for less than a dollar. Inexpensive, isn’t it? Maybe that’s why Ugandans truly consume their own in great volumes.
Apart from the above mentioned beers, other beers both local and internationally imported are also served on the Uganda market. These however are not as popular as the above discussed and can be fancied in smaller groups and classes of people.
None the less, Uganda is home to a great range of tasteful beer and if at all you are a beer lover, do not hesitate to visit any liquor parlor or store and quench your thirst or even craving. Trust me, the shopping stores have got your choice(s) regardless.
Welcome to ‘the Pearl.’
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