Probably not the best : beer brewing in colonial Hong Kong, 1904 to 1995

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the development of beer brewing in colonial Hong Kong from 1904 to 1995. The period starts with the earliest attempt to brew locally and ends with the first craft beer brewery in the colony. It argues that local brewing during this period could hardly succeed. Firstly, the consumption preferences revealed a low demand for local beers, which faced challenges from not only imported foreign beers and breweries, but also Chinese distilled liquors. Secondly, the colonial government showed a certain indifference to local breweries and their operations. The determination to maintain the colony as a free trade port and petitions from other local distilleries prevented the colonial government from offering substantial aid to local breweries. Worse still, the gradual domination of San Miguel after 1948 undermined further attempts at local brewing. Though San Miguel brewed its beer in Hong Kong, it was in fact a Filipino corporation. Acquiring the Hong Kong Brewery of Jehangir Ruttonjee, a Parsi tycoon, San Miguel became local through aggressive efforts to position and promote itself as a local brand. This dissertation also argues that the success of San Miguel was due to its intimate connection with the local society. Such achievement also exemplified the improving public perception of local brewing.