(APB) is a joint venture between Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, a drinks company headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the Dutch beer-maker Heineken. Heineken has maintained a strong presence throughout Asia Pacific following on the Netherlands’ historical colonial links in the region. Listed on the Singapore stock exchange, APB was established in 1931 under the name Malaysian Breweries Limited (MLB). The company opened its first brewery in Singapore a year later and launched its iconic Tiger beer. Its catchy advertizing slogan was “Time for a Tiger,” which become the title of author Anthony Burgess’ first novel in his trilogy The Long Day Wanes. To reflect its growth in the region, MBL was renamed Asia Pacific Breweries Limited in 1990. Now APB operates a network of 36 breweries in 13 countries—Singapore, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam—with sales in some 60 countries. In addition to Tiger, APB brews more than 40 beers for its regional markets, including Heineken, Anchor, Baron’s strong brew, and ABC extra stout. It also produces Gold Crown in Cambodia, SP lager in Papua New Guinea, Tui in New Zealand, and Larue in Vietnam. In 2006, APB opened the Archipelago Brewing Company, a microbrewery with a pub outlet, producing classical European-style beers alongside innovative specialties.
