Annual production volume 400,000 | Opened 1939 Founded 1939 | |
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Owned by Asmara Brewery Corporation | ||
Asmara Brewery (formerly, Melotti Brewery) was the first brewery in Eritrea, founded in 1938. The brewery was nationalized by the Derg during the Eritrean War of Independence. The brewery operates a football team, which plays in the Eritrean Premier League.
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History
The brewery was founded in 1939 by Luigi Melotti. Melotti, the wealthy owner built the Villa Melotti, on the southern tip of Taulud Island.
The brewery was nationalized by the Derg during the Eritrean War of Independence, and was then inherited by the Government of Eritrea. Ownership in the brewery is shared between investors and the Government of Eritrea. In 1998, its factory exported up to 40% of production, with the remainder being domestically consumed.
At one stage the factory employed over 400 employees, but production has been affected since 2000. The company suffers from a lack of skilled workers and materials. As of February 2009 production had virtually ceased and there was an insufficient supply for the markets.
Products
The brewery produces a wide range of beverages. One of its best known is Ariki, an aniseed-flavored spirit.
Football
The brewery operates a football team, which plays in the Eritrean Premier League.