Cider is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented juice of apples. Although cider can be made from any variety of apple, certain cultivars are preferred in some regions, and these may be known as cider apples. One of the two main types of cider produced and distributed in South Africa by Distell group Limited, Hunters Gold was first introduced in South Africa in 1988 as an alternative to beer.

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.

ETA ± 27 JULY 2020

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.