KENYA: Kenya Breweries gets control of malt free beer

Kenya Breweries Ltd has been awarded the patent of manufacturing the world’s first malt free light beer. The company has a unique barley brewing process formulated by its brewers, which does not involve the conventional malting and uses 100% barley.Awarded by the African Regional Industrial Property Organisation (ARIPO) and South Africa’s department of trade and industry, the patent gives Kenya Breweries the rights for the formulation and brewing of Citizen, which was launched four years ago, and is one of the Kenyan firm’s key brands.The patent also protects the brewing process in Kenya until 2017 and the only way another brewer can use the process is via Kenya Breweries Ltd or a KBL license.Citizen marketing manager, Tim Chege said: “Citizen is KBL’s fastest growing brand and is at present ranked third after Tusker and Pilsner lagers.”The ARIPO’s patent covers Kenya, Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Kenya Breweries Ltd, which is the only major rival for Castle Brewing Kenya Ltd, is now seeking a similar patent certificate from Tanzania and Ethiopia.