Plizio Visual Lab

Asmara Brewery

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Asmara Brewery, originally established in 1939 by Luigi Melotti as Birra Melotti, stands as a cornerstone of Eritrean industrial heritage. Located in the heart of the capital city, the company is primarily known for its flagship product, Asmara Beer, which is brewed using traditional methods and local ingredients. Built during the Italian colonial period, the architecture of the facility reflects the industrial aesthetics of that era and includes an integrated glass factory for bottle production. Following Eritrea independence, the brewery was nationalized and subsequently modernized to meet increasing domestic demand and international quality standards. Today, the company products are distributed to the Eritrean diaspora worldwide, serving as a symbol of local craftsmanship and economic resilience. The factory plays a vital role in the regional economy by providing hundreds of jobs and supporting local agriculture through the sourcing of raw materials. Beyond beer, the plant also produces spirits such as gin and cognac, showcasing a diversified industrial output that has survived various political transitions.

Location: Eritrea
Top sights: San Francisco · Fiat Tagliero · Shida Monument
Nearby: Filfil (27 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Nov, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	20	21	23	25	26	27	24	23	24	22	21	20
Rain mm	4	8	7	26	18	33	125	145	31	8	6	4

📋 Practical info

🏭

What is this place?

The Asmara Brewery is one of the oldest breweries in Eritrea, founded during the Italian colonial period. It produces beer varieties for the local market and is a cultural landmark of the capital.

🚪

Visiting

The brewery typically does not offer public tours as it is an active production facility. From the street, however, the historic building and loading ramps are visible.

👀

Where to view it

The best view of the brewery is from the main road on the outskirts of Asmara, where the characteristic Italian façade stands out. The distinctive building with its chimney can also be seen from nearby hills.

🧺

Local products

In Asmara and nationwide, the brewery's beers are available in shops and bars, with the local 'Asmara Beer' being especially popular. On local markets, snacks and grilled foods that go well with beer are also offered.

📆

Active season

The brewery produces year-round, with demand increasing during holidays and warmer months. The hot dry season from March to June is the peak season for beer consumption and thus for production.

➕

Nearby

A visit to the brewery can be excellently combined with a tour of Asmara's historic center, known for its Art Deco architecture. Nearby street cafés and Italian restaurants also invite you to linger.

Geography

Coordinates

15.32290, 38.93200

Facts

Founded in 1939 by Italian entrepreneur Luigi Melotti.
The brewery has an annual production capacity of about 400,000 hectoliters.
It features an on-site glass factory to produce its own bottles.
The distillery section produces spirits including gin, zibib, and cognac.
The company employs over 500 local workers in its Asmara facility.
It was nationalized following Eritrea independence from Ethiopia in 1991.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Asmara children's amusement park<1 km · EExplore →

Medebar Market2 km · NEExplore →

Italian Cemetery Asmara3 km · SEExplore →

Asmara nature park3 km · NWExplore →

Tank Graveyard Asmara3 km · SEExplore →

Eritrean Airlines Maintenance Center4 km · SWExplore →

Sembel Archaeological Site6 km · SWExplore →

Historical Toka Eba15 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Asmara Brewery (10)

San Francisco

San Francisco is a monument in Asmara, Eritrea.

Fiat Tagliero

Fiat Tagliero is a gas station in Asmara, Eritrea.

Shida Monument

Shida Monument is a monument in Asmara, Eritrea.

Nation Museum of Eritrea🏛 museum

Nation Museum of Eritrea is a museum in Eritrea, located in Asmara.

Pushkin Monument

Pushkin Monument is a monument in Asmara, Eritrea.

H Max

H Max is an attraction in Asmara, Eritrea.

Abel's home

Abel's home is an attraction in Asmara, Eritrea.

Casa degli Italiani (Gallery)

Casa degli Italiani (Gallery) is a gallery in Asmara, Eritrea.

Saint Joseph's Cathedral

Saint Joseph's Cathedral is a church in Asmara, Eritrea.

baahelaawi maa'ekale, Cultural Centre

ባህላዊ ማእከል፣ Cultural Centre is a theatre in Asmara, Eritrea.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the Asmara Brewery?

Tours are often possible with prior arrangement; there is an on-site bar to taste the fresh beer.

What beer is produced here?

The brewery produces the famous Asmara Beer, formerly known as Melotti.

When was the brewery founded?

It was founded in 1939 during the Italian colonial period by engineer Luigi Melotti.

Where is the brewery located in Asmara?

The factory is located in the northern part of the city, not far from the road to Massawa.

Are there non-alcoholic drinks available?

Yes, besides beer, the plant also produces non-alcoholic malt beer and bottled water.

Asmara Brewery: where is it located?

Asmara Brewery is located in Eritrea.

Asmara Brewery: what is there to see?

Highlights include San Francisco, Fiat Tagliero, Shida Monument.

Asmara Brewery: when is the best time to visit?