This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
Published on August 2, 2019, a statement from Burundian brewery Brarudi blamed an increase in demand for the shortage of Amstel beer in Burundi.
However, an industry source told the BBC that the real reason for the shortage was a lack of foreign currency, as some raw ingredients needed to be imported to make the brew.
Amstel beer drinkers expressed their frustration, saying they had been forced to drink other locally bottled beers such as Primus and Royal, or opt for the more expensive Skol, which is imported from neighboring Rwanda.
Brarudi also produces Coca-Cola, which is reportedly in short supply in Burundi.
The World Bank attributed the country's persistent foreign exchange shortages to the 2015 political crisis that saw President Pierre Nkurunziza win a controversial third term in office.
