Beer in Singapore: history, traditions and breweries
A tiger from the tropical city: a colonial-era brewery became one of Asia’s best-known beer brands – with the help of a novel.
History
Singapore, 1931. The city at the tip of the Malay Peninsula was an important port of the British Empire. Sailors, traders and soldiers drank beer – but it came in casks and bottles from far away. Two companies set out to change that: the local drinks company Fraser & Neave and the Dutch brewer Heineken founded Malayan Breweries together.
In October 1932 the first Tiger Beer flowed in the new brewery on Alexandra Road. A year later a competitor opened on the same road: the Archipelago Brewery, with brewing equipment from the Beck brewery in Bremen and German brewmasters. Two breweries on the same street: the contest had begun.
Then came the war. In 1941 the British seized the Archipelago Brewery because of its German ties, and Malayan Breweries bought it. In 1942 Japan captured Singapore, and the breweries worked under occupation. The dark ABC Stout of the Archipelago Brewery survived it all and is still sold today.
Tiger became famous through a slogan: “Time for a Tiger”. The British writer Anthony Burgess lived in Malaya in the 1950s and in 1956 gave his first novel exactly that title – after the beer. And so a beer brand made it into world literature.
With Singapore’s independence in 1965, Tiger became the pride of the young city-state. In 1990 the brewery moved to a modern new site in Tuas in the west of the island, and Malayan Breweries became Asia Pacific Breweries. In 2013 Heineken took over the company completely. Tiger is now brewed in many countries and sold in more than 50.
Singapore has a craft beer scene today too. Brewpubs brew in high-rise towers above the city, and small breweries use regional ingredients such as pandan, lemongrass or kaya, the coconut and egg jam from the breakfast table.
Traditions and drinking culture
Many people drink their beer in a hawker centre or a kopitiam, the traditional coffee shop, with satay, chilli crab or fried noodles. “Beer aunties” used to sell their brand’s beer at the tables there.
At weddings and celebrations people toast with a long “Yam seng!” – the longer the cheer, the better the wishes. Because of high taxes, beer in Singapore is among the most expensive in Asia.
Fun facts
- Anthony Burgess named his first novel “Time for a Tiger” (1956) after the beer’s slogan.
- Tiger Beer was first brewed in Singapore in 1932.
- ABC Stout from the Archipelago Brewery, which started out with German brewing equipment, is still made today.
- Because of high taxes, beer in Singapore is among the most expensive in Asia.
Typical beer styles
Beer cities and their stories
Singapore
The first Tiger Beer was brewed on Alexandra Road in 1932. Since 1990 the large brewery has stood in Tuas in the west of the island. Hawker centres and kopitiams are still the places where people in Singapore drink their beer.
Breweries and their stories
Malayan Breweries (now Asia Pacific Breweries)
Founded by Fraser & Neave and Heineken. Tiger Beer was born here in 1932; today the brewery belongs entirely to Heineken.
Known for: Tiger Beer
Archipelago Brewery
The brewery with equipment from Beck’s brewery in Bremen brewed lager and ABC Stout. The British seized it in 1941; after that it belonged to Malayan Breweries.
Known for: ABC Stout
Timeline
- 1931Singapore
Fraser & Neave and Heineken found Malayan Breweries.
- 1932Singapore
The first Tiger Beer is brewed on Alexandra Road.
- 1956whole country
Anthony Burgess names his first novel “Time for a Tiger” – after the slogan.
- 1990Singapore
The brewery moves to Tuas; Malayan Breweries becomes Asia Pacific Breweries.
- 2013whole country
Heineken takes over Asia Pacific Breweries completely.