11 May 2020 Anchor stops ‘beer yeast’ sales to abide by lockdown

Pity a company that has to quit selling a stalwart product that’s gone ballistically popular – namely Anchor Yeast that has halted the sale and distribution of its brewer’s “Inkunzi malanga” dry yeast.

The 20g product has been in hot demand as South Africans scramble to make home-brewed beer during the national lockdown. No alcohol sales are currently allowed. 

Anchor Yeast consumer director, Joanne Clarke, said in line with the disaster regulations governing the lockdown, and following legal consultation, Anchor has put on hold the distribution of the yeast product. 

Clarke said the Inkunzi Malanga yeast has been used for the last forty-five years to brew traditional or craft beer.

It has a different formulation from the standard baking yeast, to produce more foam and a distinctly sour taste. 

“We understand that this will be upsetting for some people but are advised to adhere to the spirit of the legislation, rather than just the letter of it,” Clarke said. 

However, on the upside, Clarke said Anchor Yeast has also seen “a massive surge” in people baking at home during lockdown, which has created a shortage of Anchor Yeast products. 

However, she said Anchor Yeast has stepped up production and yeast for baking and it should now be freely available.

Since the ban on liquor sales, many South Africans have attempted to make their own liquor. Google searches about how to do this have surged during lockdown, notably making beer from pineapples which are naturally rich in sugars required for fermentation.

Source: Business Insider SA