SAB - The South African Breweries Limited

HISTORY

Over 100 years of history. The history of SABMiller is a rich, long and colourful one. Its operations span the centuries, and now the globe.

	1886 Proclamation of the Witwatersrand goldfields, mining town of Johannesburg established. 1895 SAB founded with share capital of of Ł350,000 and Ł300,000 of debentures (The drink of choice in South Africa's dusty prospecting fields was raw potato spirit mixed with tobacco juice and pepper. Small wonder beer was well received.) Castle Lager launched from a newly-commissioned lager brewery - capacity 50 000 barrels per annum. 1896 SAB pays a 15% maiden dividend and increases its capital to Ł500 000, first bar erected on company land in central Johannesburg.
	1897 Listed on The Johannesburg Stock Exchange - the first industrial share 1898 Listed on The London Stock Exchange. (Diggers' News Headline: Castle Lager beer a phenomenal success. Taste its brilliancy, taste its flavour, 6 pence per glass) 1899 Three year Anglo-Boer War disrupts economic and social conditions. 1901 - Despite the war, annual profits rise to Ł100 000 and assets exceed Ł1 million. Tied house concept launched.