Castle Lager – Born from Boldness, Brewed with Pride

Long before Castle Lager became a household name, its story began in the Cape with a small but ambitious beer called Holséns Lager.

In the late 1800s, a Swedish immigrant named Anders Ohlsson was brewing Holséns Lager in Cape Town. It was one of the first real lagers in South Africa, made with care and quality in a time when most people drank imported beer or rough homemade brews. Ohlsson’s beer stood out for being fresh, clean and brewed locally – something new and exciting for South Africans.

At the same time, up north in Johannesburg, the gold rush was booming. Thousands of miners, fortune seekers and settlers poured into the city, thirsty after long days in the hot sun. One man saw an opportunity. His name was Charles Glass.

Glass had a vision – to brew a proper lager right in the heart of Joburg using the best ingredients and techniques. In 1895, he opened Castle Brewery and introduced Castle Lager. It was inspired by Ohlsson’s brewing style but made to suit the local taste and the dusty Highveld climate.

Castle Lager became an instant hit. It was reliable, refreshing and proudly South African. Within two years, Castle joined forces with Ohlsson’s Cape brewery and other regional brewers to form South African Breweries (SAB) in 1897.

This bold new company didn’t stop at local success. SAB grew across Africa and beyond, becoming a symbol of strength and innovation. Castle Lager was always at the front – poured at sporting events, shared at braais and raised in toasts across the country.

In 2016, SAB joined the global brewing powerhouse Anheuser-Busch to form AB InBev, the world’s largest beer company. But no matter how big it gets, Castle Lager remains a proudly South African beer – with a heart that beats for this land.

Born from Cape innovation and Johannesburg grit, Castle Lager is more than just a drink. It’s a symbol of unity, resilience and South African pride.