Beer enthusiasts in Rwanda can now savor the quality of Belgian organic craft beers with the launch of three distinct brands: Red FLO Organic, Yellow FLO Organic, and FLO58 Organic. Aperitifs and digestifs, which are alcoholic beverages traditionally enjoyed before and after a meal, have become integral components of the social customs of many Rwandans. But “our beer truly distinguishes itself – it’s exceptional and completely organic. We avoid industrial fertilizers and pesticides, choosing instead to embrace traditional farming practices. Our brewing process is an art, not a factory operation, and we uphold a stringent no-chemical-additives policy, with absolutely no added sugar,” explained John Christian Kavakure, Managing Director of Les Brasseries de Flobecq, the Belgian brewery responsible for “Flo.” In their mission to promote better health, said Kavakure, they undertook thorough research to bring organic beer to the Rwandan market. “If it's accessible in European countries, why shouldn't it be available in Rwanda?” Contemporary discourse on alcohol production frequently revolves around the issues stemming from the climate crisis. The carbon footprint of inorganic beer production is often higher due to energy-intensive processes, transportation, and the potential use of non-renewable resources. In contrast, organic beer production, which avoids synthetic chemicals and promotes sustainable farming practices, tends to have a lower environmental impact. Flo is crafted using a combination of more than six malt varieties cultivated through traditional farming methods in natural soil, along with pure water and yeast. Producing organic beer, however, is a more intricate process compared to brewing standard beer. The brewery's management shared that it took nearly 12 years to identify the specific yeast strain utilized in the production of this beer, which results in an alcohol content of 6%. The venture into a changing climate landscape is a key element that adds intrigue to the introduction of the Flo brand into the African market, especially in Rwanda. During the official launch of Flo in Rwanda on Friday, October 21, Kavakure highlighted that the beer had garnered multiple accolades for its distinctive characteristics throughout its time on the market in Belgium. Jean Marie Vianney Ndahimana, the CEO of Jespo2 Ltd, responsible for the distribution of Flo in Rwanda, underscored the country's growing development and expanding tourism industry as primary motivations for introducing Flo beer to Rwanda. This strategic decision aims to ensure that the beer becomes readily available to international visitors who already value its distinct flavor. Ndahimana added, “Drinking Flo equates to enjoying a beer of outstanding quality and uniqueness. Although we are presently importing Flo, we are in the process of establishing local production within Rwanda.” The product will soon be accessible for purchase at prominent supermarkets, dealers, and retail stores, in addition to being offered at various venues such as clubs and hotels. “This marks just the initial step. Our ultimate objective is to introduce this framework in Rwanda, with the potential to lower the price of this exceptional beverage and create employment opportunities for Rwandans,” he concluded.
