I’ll have a San Miguel, thanks
San Miguel, one of the world’s great beers, has returned to New Zealand and will now be available nationally through
bottle stores, supermarkets, bars, clubs and restaurants.
Vintage Wines & Spirits, a leading New Zealand distributor, has just landed its first consignment of San Miguel Premium Lager and San
Miguel Super Dry.
“San Miguel is among Asia’s biggest-selling beers and over the past decade it has ‘gone global’,” said Nick Hern,
Vintage’s managing director.
“In its home country, the Philippines, it dominates the beer business with a market share of close to 90 per cent. In
many other places it has become as popular as well known local brands and other international premium beers,” he said.
With the demand for premium beer in New Zealand still growing steadily, Vintage took up the opportunity to reintroduce
San Miguel. The beer has been sold here from time to time in the past, Hern explained, but only on a limited basis.
San Miguel Premium Lager, brewed since 1890, is a pilsner-style lager well suited to New Zealand tastes.
In its homeland and some other areas it is known as San Miguel Pale Pilsen, although most commonly it’s simply called
San Miguel Beer.
The San Miguel Super Dry is a brilliant light amber beer characterised by a delicate aroma, light to medium body, and
balanced bitterness. This is highlighted by a crisp, dry taste which delivers an elegant finish.
“The trade has responded very positively since we advised that San Miguel would be available here,” said Hern. “They
know that San Miguel has a mighty reputation and that the two beer styles are well attuned to what New Zealanders want
to drink.”
San Miguel Corporation, whose headquarters are in Manila, is claimed to be Southeast Asia’s largest publicly-listed
food, beverage and packaging company. It is a major producer of soft drinks as well as beer and spirits, with plants
throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The group has a substantial presence in Australia, notably through the Tasmanian
brewer James Boag and the Berri fruit juice company.
Vintage Wines & Spirits also distributes James Boag’s Premium Lager in New Zealand.
ENDS