Beer, Sociability, and Masculinity in South Africa
Anne Kelk Mager
Beer connects commercial, social, and political history in this sobering look at the culture of drinking in South Africa. Beginning where stories of colonial liquor control and exploitation leave off, Anne Kelk Mager looks at the current commerce of beer, its valorizing of male sociability and sports, and the corporate culture of South African Breweries [SAB], the world's most successful brewing company. Mager shows how the industry, dominated by a single brewer, was compelled to comply with legislation that divided customers along racial lines, but also promoted images of multi-racial social drinking in the final years of apartheid. Since the transition to majority rule, SAB has rapidly expanded into new markets—including the United States with the purchase of Miller Brewing Company. This lively book affords a unique view into global manufacturing, monopolies, politics and public culture, race relations, and cold beer.
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About Anne Kelk Mager
Reviews for Beer, Sociability, and Masculinity in South Africa
South African Historical Journal
Mager's book raises important questions about the transformation of South Africa that can be examined through the beer industry. Vol. 52.2, 2011
Journal of African History
It is refreshing to read a work of history that bravely crosses the border into the post-apartheid era.April 2011
American Historical Review
There is fascinating material on social change in this book, and the discussion of drinking and male sociability offers a significant contribution to the field.March, 2011
H-Africa