South African Breweries
Based on recent customer reviews, South African Breweries is facing significant criticism from both consumers and trade partners. Customers consistently mention product quality issues, including contaminated bottles, foreign particles, half-filled cans, and improperly sealed packaging across brands like Castle, Stella Artois, Black Label, and Flying Fish. A recurring theme is unresponsive customer service, with complaints about ignored emails, unanswered careline calls, and silent social media admins. Tavern owners and small traders raise concerns around delivery failures, BEES app licence delays, account application difficulties, and perceived disregard for smaller business partners.
TrustIndex
1.7
Jul '25 - Jun '26
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Im highly disappointed with the Stella Artois you supply to retailers. I had bought a 12 pack of 330ml Stella Artois from Tops Spar in parksquare umhlanga rocks in Durban, and the product had foreign particles inside the 12 pack which was contaminated. This is a discrase because it speaks to the poor quality of manufacturing of this product and quality control within your organization consuming a product of this nature could lead to someone in hospital. Writing this review is not for publicity but to warn customers to watch out for the Stella Artois products they purchase. I've choosen to write this review instead of posting the vidoes closed bottles which are highly contaminated.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Im highly disappointed with the Stella Artois you supply to retailers. I had bought a 12 pack of 330ml Stella Artois from Tops Spar in parksquare umhlanga rocks in Durban, and the product had foreign particles inside the 12 pack which was contaminated. This is a discrase because it speaks to the poor quality of manufacturing of this product and quality control within your organization consuming a product of this nature could lead to someone in hospital. Writing this review is not for publicity but to warn customers to watch out for the Stella Artois products they purchase. I've choosen to write this review instead of posting the vidoes closed bottles which are highly contaminated.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Good Day all Sunday I bought a six pack of brutal fruit ruby apple to my surprise upon opening the bottles all of them had rust inside the lid I couldn't consume them and to discard all my money down the drain please assist I have sent brutal fruit a message attached with photos on the Facebook page
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Good Day all Sunday I bought a six pack of brutal fruit ruby apple to my surprise upon opening the bottles all of them had rust inside the lid I couldn't consume them and to discard all my money down the drain please assist I have sent brutal fruit a message attached with photos on the Facebook page
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I had a account with SA Breweries for more than 15 years, and when I moved my shop, I had to apply again for a new account. Four years now SAB can not assist me. Reps can jot assist. Online application is unsuccessful. All attemp and messages is not answered?? Incompetence and no care from reps..
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I had a account with SA Breweries for more than 15 years, and when I moved my shop, I had to apply again for a new account. Four years now SAB can not assist me. Reps can jot assist. Online application is unsuccessful. All attemp and messages is not answered?? Incompetence and no care from reps..
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Good day, I would like to raise a serious concern regarding my experience with SAB and the BEES app. I am a business owner who relies on SAB products weekly, and I always ensure that I comply with all business and licensing requirements. Every year in November, I renew my liquor license and upload the updated license on the SAB BEES app. This year, I uploaded my renewed license on 23 December 2025, expecting SAB to update my expiry date on the BEES app to 28 February 2027. However, as of today 26 February 2026, the licence expiry date on the BEES app has still not been updated. I have repeatedly uploaded the licence on both January and February, but the issue has not improved. Each time, I receive a message saying that the document will be sent to “Master Data for verification”. When I follow up by phone, SAB informs me that they “do not work with the BEES app”, and I must log a request through the app—even though BEES does not provide a direct contact number. This delay now threatens my business, as I am being told I cannot continue placing orders because the system shows that my licence is expiring. This means that next week I will not receive deliveries, despite the fact that I have comp**** with all legal and business requirements. It is extremely disappointing that I make every effort to stay compliant, yet SAB’s system issues are putting my business at risk. I am requesting urgent intervention to update my license information on the BEES app so that my trading is not interrupted. Your immediate assistance will be highly appreciated.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Good day, I would like to raise a serious concern regarding my experience with SAB and the BEES app. I am a business owner who relies on SAB products weekly, and I always ensure that I comply with all business and licensing requirements. Every year in November, I renew my liquor license and upload the updated license on the SAB BEES app. This year, I uploaded my renewed license on 23 December 2025, expecting SAB to update my expiry date on the BEES app to 28 February 2027. However, as of today 26 February 2026, the licence expiry date on the BEES app has still not been updated. I have repeatedly uploaded the licence on both January and February, but the issue has not improved. Each time, I receive a message saying that the document will be sent to “Master Data for verification”. When I follow up by phone, SAB informs me that they “do not work with the BEES app”, and I must log a request through the app—even though BEES does not provide a direct contact number. This delay now threatens my business, as I am being told I cannot continue placing orders because the system shows that my licence is expiring. This means that next week I will not receive deliveries, despite the fact that I have comp**** with all legal and business requirements. It is extremely disappointing that I make every effort to stay compliant, yet SAB’s system issues are putting my business at risk. I am requesting urgent intervention to update my license information on the BEES app so that my trading is not interrupted. Your immediate assistance will be highly appreciated.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I have had issues twice with there product Castle December 2025 and January 2026.Product in question was collected on both occasions. Had no response regarding half full bottles of beer and mildew in the beer.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I have had issues twice with there product Castle December 2025 and January 2026.Product in question was collected on both occasions. Had no response regarding half full bottles of beer and mildew in the beer.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Had beer that was half full reported it in December still waiting after they collected it for a response or feed back. Reported a differerent problem 10 days ago bottle was half full and mildewed still waiting for a response.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Had beer that was half full reported it in December still waiting after they collected it for a response or feed back. Reported a differerent problem 10 days ago bottle was half full and mildewed still waiting for a response.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
On 20 January I sent SAB an email as below however they have chosen to ignore it. Ive followed up and they still ignore it. I will now post my experience all over social media. While driving into Darwin Centre, I encountered a male standing in the middle of my driving lane (red sleeveless vest), using his phone and moving side to side. I honestly thought he is a unhoused person due to his physical appearance. A delivery truck was stopped a few metres behind him. The individual appeared loud, aggressive, and dishevelled, and made no effort to move out of the roadway. Despite seeing my vehicle approach, he refused to move and instead expected me to drive into the oncoming lane to go around him, with cars in the on coming lane. I continued cautiously in my correct lane, at which point the individual became extremely aggressive. He hit my car, screamed at me, and used abusive and derogatory language. When all the cars passed, I attempted to overtake the truck to remove myself from the situation, I lowered my window and said "do not touch my car and do not swear at me", he just continued. I asked the truck driver whether this individual worked with him, as the man pointed toward the truck while shouting. The driver denied any association. However, after parking my vehicle, the same man continued to watch me and my 7-year-old daughter, clearly observing where we parked. My child became so terrified that she refused to get out of the car. We ultimately left the centre due to fear. Even while exiting the centre, this individual continued his threatening behaviour by pointing his finger at me in an intimidating manner and shouting further abusive language at me. As we drove around the premises, I witnessed the truck moving to another exit, with the same man guiding the truck, confirming his involvement. At no point were hazard lights, reverse lights, cones, or any safety measures in place. I later approached another individual assisting with the offloading, who claimed not to understand me and stated he had “started today.” It became apparent that the delivery was for Pick n Pay Liquors. After contacting Pick n Pay Liquors directly, the manager confirmed that the individuals involved work for SAB. This incident was traumatic, intimidating, and completely unacceptable, particularly in a public shopping centre where families and children are present. I am deeply concerned about: - The lack of safety procedures - Aggressive and threatening behaviour - Misrepresentation when questioned - The emotional distress caused to my child I have taken photographs related to this incident and I have screenshots of my emails being ignored by SAB.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
On 20 January I sent SAB an email as below however they have chosen to ignore it. Ive followed up and they still ignore it. I will now post my experience all over social media. While driving into Darwin Centre, I encountered a male standing in the middle of my driving lane (red sleeveless vest), using his phone and moving side to side. I honestly thought he is a unhoused person due to his physical appearance. A delivery truck was stopped a few metres behind him. The individual appeared loud, aggressive, and dishevelled, and made no effort to move out of the roadway. Despite seeing my vehicle approach, he refused to move and instead expected me to drive into the oncoming lane to go around him, with cars in the on coming lane. I continued cautiously in my correct lane, at which point the individual became extremely aggressive. He hit my car, screamed at me, and used abusive and derogatory language. When all the cars passed, I attempted to overtake the truck to remove myself from the situation, I lowered my window and said "do not touch my car and do not swear at me", he just continued. I asked the truck driver whether this individual worked with him, as the man pointed toward the truck while shouting. The driver denied any association. However, after parking my vehicle, the same man continued to watch me and my 7-year-old daughter, clearly observing where we parked. My child became so terrified that she refused to get out of the car. We ultimately left the centre due to fear. Even while exiting the centre, this individual continued his threatening behaviour by pointing his finger at me in an intimidating manner and shouting further abusive language at me. As we drove around the premises, I witnessed the truck moving to another exit, with the same man guiding the truck, confirming his involvement. At no point were hazard lights, reverse lights, cones, or any safety measures in place. I later approached another individual assisting with the offloading, who claimed not to understand me and stated he had “started today.” It became apparent that the delivery was for Pick n Pay Liquors. After contacting Pick n Pay Liquors directly, the manager confirmed that the individuals involved work for SAB. This incident was traumatic, intimidating, and completely unacceptable, particularly in a public shopping centre where families and children are present. I am deeply concerned about: - The lack of safety procedures - Aggressive and threatening behaviour - Misrepresentation when questioned - The emotional distress caused to my child I have taken photographs related to this incident and I have screenshots of my emails being ignored by SAB.
Based on recent customer reviews, South African Breweries is facing significant criticism from both consumers and trade partners. Customers consistently mention product quality issues, including contaminated bottles, foreign particles, half-filled cans, and improperly sealed packaging across brands like Castle, Stella Artois, Black Label, and Flying Fish. A recurring theme is unresponsive customer service, with complaints about ignored emails, unanswered careline calls, and silent social media admins. Tavern owners and small traders raise concerns around delivery failures, BEES app licence delays, account application difficulties, and perceived disregard for smaller business partners.
South African Breweries has a TrustIndex of 1.7 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 29 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked South African Breweries across 435 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →