In the mid 1970's, international trends and local market conditions were calling for a brand of beer with Germanic heritage. SAB responded with the launch of Hansa Pilsener in November 1975. As a completely new beer style in South Africa, Hansa had the special attributes of being light, drinkable, refreshing and thirst quencing.

As a line extension of Castle Lager, Castle Lite was launched in January 1994 as a new premium offering. With 25% less kilojoules than Castle Lager, it targeted consumers who were looking for a lighter, healthier drinking option.

Amstel Brewery (Amstelbrouwerij) is a Dutch Brewery founded on June 11, 1870 on the Mauritskade in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and named after the Amstel River, the waters of which also served for refrigeration. It was taken over by Heineken international in 1968, and the brewing plant closed down in 1982 with production moving to the main Heineken plant at Zoeterwoude. On March 12, 2007 Heineken N.V announced that it has taken an in-principle decision to construct a new brewery in South Africa where Amstel Lager will be marketed, sold and distributed in South Africa by the Cape Town-based Brandhouse Beverages (Pty) Ltd, a joint venture between Heineken, Diageo and Namibia Breweries.