Bralirwa, a leading beer brewer in Rwanda, has stopped producing, distributing and marketing Guinness beer following expiry of its contract with the East African Breweries. “East African Breweries will now handle the Guinness brand,” the brewer said in a statement.Bralirwa produces a range of beers, including its flagship brand Primus, Mützig, Amstel and Turbo King at its Gisenyi brewery, stopped brewing Guinness beer this week, according to Jean Pierre Uwizeye, public relations officer. This development ends a 24-year relationship Bralirwa has had with the brand.Guinness production constituted less than 1 per cent of Bralirwa Limited’s total beer volumes. Bralirwa sold 1.7 million hector litres of beer last year.The move has sent fears of a possible price hike among Guinness beer lovers. “The change of hands could mean an increase in price of Guinness since East African Breweries doesn’t have a plant here,” said Yves Nkuranga, a Guinness beer lover in Remera.
