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Having lived in Uganda for more than two years now, I’m well aware that Ugandans love to party! Drinking beer and waragi (a local brew) is part and parcel of the culture in Uganda, whether you head to a wedding or any other function while you’re in the country.
If you’re like me, then you will agree that one of the best things about visiting any country is tasting the local beer. Picture the scene – you’re sitting on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, sipping an ice-cold Club as the sun sets. Perfection.
So, if you’re keen to try the finest libations that the Pearl of Africa has to offer during your upcoming vacation, here are five of the best Uganda beers that you absolutely have to try!
Club
My absolute favorite Uganda beer is Club. A lively, refreshing lager, Club is the perfect tonic after a round of golf in the Ugandan sun!
Brewed by Nile Breweries, Club is a 4.5% abv beer with a distinct hoppy aroma, and given its light taste, it’s a great session beer if you’re planning to have a few around the pool.
Of course, the price of Uganda beer varies depending on where you buy it, but in most places in Uganda, club costs between 4,000 UGX and 10,000 UGX ($1.10 – $2.60).
Nile Special
Nile Special also has a stout, but I’m not a fan! Photo credit: Prince Beguin
Although Club is my tipple of choice in Uganda, Nile Special is the most popular beer in the country. It’s also a lager, but at 5.6% abv, I find that drinking a couple of bottles leaves me with a bit of a headache!
Nile Special is perhaps the Uganda beer that is best known inside and outside of the country, as it has been brewed for more than fifty years.
I suppose if you want to enjoy a true taste of Uganda, Nile Special is the way to go. Just switch over to Club after your first bottle to avoid the headache in the morning!
Bell
Bell was first brewed in Uganda back in 1950, and it takes its name from its brewing location – the Port Bell pier on the shores of Lake Victoria.
The brand has been known for some pretty quirky advertisements in the past, with one pronouncing “Great Night, Good Morning!”
In terms of taste, Bell is a middle-of-the-road lager and is a Uganda beer that is popular in most bars and restaurants around the country. At 4.2%, it’s another good session beer if you’re planning to have a few around your campfire while on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Banange
If craft beer is your thing, you need to check out Banange Beer. A recent addition to the Uganda beer scene (Banange started brewing in 2017), the following options are available around the country:
- IPA 5.2% (medium/high bitterness)
- Belgian Witbier 5.8% (low bitterness)
- Lite 4.5% (low bitterness)
- Amber 5.0% (low bitterness)
- Stout 4.8% (low bitterness)
The brand gets its name from a Luganda word that roughly translates to “oh my gosh,” and it’s commonly used by Ugandans to express surprise or shock. There’s nothing shocking about the taste of Banange, though. Amber is my favorite, but the IPA is definitely worth trying.
Eagle
The final Uganda beer brand that you might encounter on your upcoming vacation is Eagle. It’s fair to describe Eagle as a more local beer, which is commonly found in bars and pubs in rural areas, as well as in Kampala.
This beer is made from barley malt and Epuipur sorghum, which is home-grown in Uganda. There are various Eagle beers that you can try – dark, regular, and extra, depending on how you’re feeling.
Standard Eagle lager has an abv of 5.5%, putting it in a similar category to Nile Special. If you like a strong lager, Eagle is a good Uganda beer for you.
Recap: The best Uganda beers to try
If you’re a beer aficionado, you certainly won’t go thirsty in Uganda. The above five beers all have different tastes and profiles and are well worth trying when you visit the Pearl of Africa.
Of course, if you don’t want to drink Uganda beer, you can always enjoy international beers – Guinness is widely available in Uganda, as are standard lagers such as Heineken.
If I could only pick one, my absolute recommendation would be Club, but Banange’s variety is seriously impressive, and their craft is a welcome addition to the beer scene in the country.