Did you know Series! Top Beer: A Eulogy for a Fallen Hero

Did you know Series!

Top Beer: A Eulogy for a Fallen Hero

In the vibrant city of Abeokuta, Nigeria, a legendary beer once reigned supreme — TOP Lager Beer. Back in the 1970s, TOP Lager Beer stood proudly among the top lagers in the country, carving its niche as the favored brew in Egbaland. The Egbas, with unwavering loyalty, embraced and championed TOP Lager Beer as their own.

During its heyday, TOP Lager Beer wasn’t merely a beverage; it was a cultural icon, a symbol of celebration and camaraderie. The spirited competition it engaged in with beer giants Gulder and Star at Owambe social gatherings and homes became legendary tales passed down through generations.

The brewing legacy of TOP Lager Beer unfolded within the bustling confines of a brewery that once buzzed with activity. This brewery, a hub of production, distribution, and marketing, employed thousands of Nigerians, transcending religious and cultural boundaries. Christians, Muslims, and adherents of Isese, all found a common ground in the workforce that TOP Lager Beer nurtured.

However, the echoes of joy and clinking glasses eventually faded as TOP Lager Beer met its demise decades ago. Its final resting place lies within the walls of its ancestral brewery, now a somber monument, silently narrating the tale of a fallen hero.

“As I embarked on a journey to attend a program commemorating International Human Rights Day, organized by the Coalition of Ogun State Civil Society Organizations, I couldn’t help but pay a poignant homage to the remnants of TOP Lager Beer. The brewery, once vibrant and alive, has transformed into a melancholic tourist attraction, a testament to the transient nature of success and the inevitability of change”- Adeola Soetan

Comparisons with Guinness, a stalwart in the brewing industry celebrating 264 years of existence since its inception in 1759, evoke a sense of tragedy. While Guinness continues to thrive, TOP Lager Beer sleeps soundly in its final resting place, a poignant reminder of the impermanence of glory.

In bidding farewell to TOP Lager Beer, we mourn not only the loss of a beverage but the demise of an era. It served as more than just a drink; it was a cultural touchstone, a livelihood for many, and a symbol of unity.

Good night, TOP Lager Beer, may your legacy endure in the memories of those who once raised a glass in your honour.

– Folaranmi Ajayi

Journalist, Historian, Educator.