Tusker Beer is one of Kenya’s most recognised brands, with deep roots in the Kenyan brewing industy and by extension, the social beverage culture. The iconic logo featuring an elephant can be identified from miles away, inspiring a strong sense of national pride.
The history of Tusker dates back over a hundred years ago when two European settlers, George and Charles Hurst ventured in the beer brewing business in 1922. The brothers opened a factory where they brewed beer in small copper vessels heated by firewood.
As the only suppliers in the country at the time, the newly opened Stanley Hotel placed an order for ten cases to cater to visiting presidents and world-renowned figures. The brothers bottled the beer by hand and personally delivered the order to the hotel’s general manager, laying ground for the eventual formation of East African Breweries Ltd (EABL).
By the end of 1922, the brothers formally registered the business as a joint venture, and operations began take shape. However tragedy would strike with the untimely death of George Hurst.
George was known for being a lively socialite with a deep passion for hunting. He was also very daring, venturing into the deep forests with such bravado, sometimes oblivious of the danger he might face. It is believed that this boldness led to his death in 1923, when during a hunting expedition, he was trampled to death by a charging elephant.
Charles, in his brother’s memory, was left in charge, and he brewed a new variant naming it Tusker- a term traditionally used refers to large male elephants, like the one that claimed his brother’s life. In that year, the elephant logo, now synonymous with Tusker Lager, was introduced.
Looking to the present day, Tusker remains one of the flagship brands of EABL despite the production of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands. A subsidiary of the Diageo group of companies, EABL dominates in the Kenyan beer market at 90 per cent share and Tusker holds a significant position, selling over 700,000 hectoliters annually.
The company has breweries in Nairobi, Ruaraka , Thika , Bomet, Kisumu and Mombasa and owns other breweries in Uganda and Tanzania.
Tusker is sold in six variants; Tusker Lager , Tusker Malt Lager, Tusker Lite, Tusker Cider, Whitecap Crisp and Tusker Ndimu. Tusker Lager is available in a 330ml can, 500ml Euro bottle and a draught format known as Tusker Keg.
Tusker Malt Lager and Tusker Lite are available in a 300ml green bottle. Tusker Cider is available in a 500 ml can while Tusker Ndimu is available in a 300ml Euro bottle. Whitecap Crisp comes in two formats: a 300ml Euro bottle and a 500ml can.
