Tempo Beer Industries

Tempo Beer Industries, commonly known as Tempo, is an Israeli brewing and beverage company headquartered in Netanya. It is described as Israel's largest brewer and the country's second-largest beverage company. Its principal business is beer, led by the Goldstar, Maccabee, and Nesher Malt brands, but its activities also extend to soft drinks, beverage bottling, brand distribution, and wine through its investment in Barkan Wine Cellars. Tempo's beer portfolio combines long-established Israeli labels with international distribution relationships. Nesher Malt has been brewed since 1935 and is identified as the first commercial beer produced in Israel. The brand is available in alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms. Goldstar has been produced since the 1950s and became part of Tempo's portfolio through a 1985 merger. Although it is marketed in Israel as a dark lager, Goldstar is pale golden in appearance and is classified as a pale lager in reference material. Maccabee was first brewed in 1968 and is sold in Israel as well as marketed in the United States and Europe. The three labels form the core of Tempo's domestic brewing identity. The company has also developed products outside beer. Its Jump line consists of juice-based soft drinks, while Tempo serves as the Israeli bottler of PepsiCo soft drinks. Since 1992, it has imported Heineken lager into Israel, and since 2005 it has been the sole Israeli distributor for Samuel Adams lager. These arrangements give Tempo a role not only as a manufacturer but also as a local route-to-market partner for international beverage companies. Tempo expanded into wine in September 2004 by acquiring a 39% controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars, described as Israel's second-largest winery. Barkan produces the Segal wine brand. This investment broadened Tempo's beverage-house activities beyond beer and soft drinks, although beer remains central to its public identity and market position. The Israeli beer market has also attracted competition and pricing scrutiny. Reference material states that by 2012 Tempo and the Central Bottling Company had become an effective duopoly, with Tempo controlling nearly half of the market and Central Bottling controlling approximately 40%. The same material says the two companies were able to raise beer prices in unison. This indicates a concentrated domestic market, but the available source does not provide enough detail to characterize a specific legal finding, enforcement action, or final regulatory outcome. Tempo's brands have a visible place in Israeli popular culture. Goldstar was mentioned in Duran Duran's 1981 song "Tel Aviv," and an older Tempo soft-drink advertising jingle has reportedly continued to circulate informally at some American Reform Jewish summer camps. The company has therefore operated both as a major industrial beverage producer and as a carrier of recognizable Israeli consumer-brand symbols. Current ownership structure, exact founding date, financial performance, and corporate leadership are not established by the supplied reference material.

Tempo Beer Industries is an Israeli beverage company whose best-known activity is brewing beer for the domestic market. The company is based in Netanya and is described as Israel's largest brewer and second-largest beverage company. Its portfolio reflects the development of Israel's commercial brewing industry, combining historic local labels with international brands handled under bottling, import, and distribution agreements. The oldest beer associated with the company is Nesher Malt, which has been brewed since 1935. It is identified as the first commercial beer brewed in Israel and continues to exist in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms. Goldstar followed in the 1950s and became part of Tempo's portfolio through a 1985 merger. Goldstar is a 4.9% ABV pale lager, although Israeli marketing describes it as a dark lager. In January 2007, Tempo extended the line with Goldstar Light, a 4% ABV variant promoted in a television commercial featuring Moshe Datz. Maccabee was first brewed in 1968. The 4.9% ABV pale lager became another central Tempo brand and has been distributed in Israel while also being marketed in the United States and Europe. Together, Goldstar, Maccabee, and Nesher Malt constitute the company's principal beer brands. Goldstar is certified kosher by the Chief Rabbi of Netanya according to the supplied reference material. Tempo's business broadened beyond brewing. It produces Jump, a range of juice-based soft drinks, and bottles PepsiCo soft drinks for the Israeli market. The company has also acted as an importer and distributor for foreign beer producers. It has imported Heineken lager since 1992 and became the sole Israeli distributor for Samuel Adams lager in 2005. These relationships positioned Tempo as both a domestic manufacturer and an intermediary for international beverage brands. In September 2004, Tempo acquired a 39% controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars, described in the reference material as Israel's second-largest winery. Barkan produces the Segal wine brand. The transaction gave Tempo a significant position in wine while preserving the company's primary association with beer and other beverages. The structure of the Israeli beer market became an important part of Tempo's business context. By 2012, Tempo and the Central Bottling Company were described as an effective duopoly, with Tempo holding nearly half of the market and Central Bottling holding roughly 40%. The supplied source says the companies were able to raise beer prices in unison, but it does not provide sufficient information about a particular investigation, court case, regulator, penalty, or resolution. This dossier therefore records the market-concentration claim without presenting it as a proven legal violation. Tempo's products have also appeared in popular culture. Goldstar was referenced in Duran Duran's 1981 song "Tel Aviv," while an older Tempo soft-drink advertising jingle has reportedly remained familiar at some American Reform Jewish summer camps. The available reference material does not establish Tempo's founding year, founder, current management team, exact corporate legal structure, financial results, or present-day ownership beyond Heineken International's reported 40% share.

1. 2012Beer-market concentration is reported

   Reference material described Tempo and Central Bottling Company as an effective duopoly, with Tempo controlling nearly half of Israel's beer market.

   Source
2. 2007Goldstar Light launches

   Tempo introduced Goldstar Light, a 4% ABV version of the Goldstar beer line.

   Source
3. 2005Samuel Adams distribution agreement

   Tempo became the sole distributor in Israel for Samuel Adams lager.

   Source
4. 2004Tempo takes a controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars

   Tempo acquired a 39% controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars in September 2004.

   Source
5. 1992Heineken import relationship begins

   Tempo began importing Heineken lager into Israel.

   Source
6. 1985Goldstar enters Tempo through a merger

   Goldstar became part of Tempo's portfolio through a merger in 1985.

   Source
7. 1968Maccabee is first brewed

   Tempo's Maccabee pale lager is reported to have been first brewed in 1968.

   Source
8. 1950Goldstar production begins

   Goldstar is reported to have been produced since the 1950s, becoming one of Tempo's principal Israeli beer brands.

   Source
9. 1935Nesher Malt begins commercial production

   Nesher Malt is reported to have been brewed from 1935 and is described as the first commercial beer produced in Israel.

   Source

A broad Israeli beverage company built around nationally established beer brands, complemented by soft-drink bottling, international beer distribution, and wine-sector participation.

• GoldstarPale lager beer1950

  Goldstar is a 4.9% ABV lager produced since the 1950s and acquired by Tempo through a 1985 merger. It is marketed in Israel as a dark lager, although its appearance is pale golden and reference material classifies it as a pale lager. The line was extended in 2007 with Goldstar Light, a 4% ABV variant. Goldstar is certified kosher by the Chief Rabbi of Netanya according to the supplied reference.

• MaccabeePale lager beer1968

  Maccabee is a 4.9% ABV pale lager first brewed in 1968. It is one of Tempo's principal beer brands and is distributed in Israel. The brand is also marketed in the United States and Europe, giving it a broader geographic presence than a purely domestic label.

• Nesher MaltMalt beer1935

  Nesher Malt is a historic Israeli malt-beverage brand reported to have been brewed since 1935. It is described as the first commercial beer produced in Israel. Tempo produces both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, allowing the brand to serve consumers seeking either a conventional malt beer or a non-alcoholic alternative.

• Goldstar LightLight lager beer2007

  Goldstar Light is a 4% ABV lighter variant introduced by Tempo in January 2007. Its launch was supported by a commercial featuring Israeli performer Moshe Datz. It extends the Goldstar franchise with a lower-alcohol formulation while retaining the parent brand's identity.

• JumpJuice-based soft drinks

  Jump is Tempo's juice-based soft-drink line. The supplied reference identifies it as part of Tempo's non-alcoholic beverage portfolio but does not provide a complete list of flavors, formulations, or current market status.

• PepsiCo soft drinksCarbonated soft drinks

  Tempo is identified as the Israeli bottler of PepsiCo soft drinks. The supplied material does not specify the individual PepsiCo brands bottled, the contract's current terms, or the production facilities involved.

• SegalWine

  Segal is a wine brand produced by Barkan Wine Cellars, in which Tempo acquired a 39% controlling interest in 2004. It represents Tempo's participation in the Israeli wine sector rather than a beer product manufactured under the Tempo name.

• 2007Goldstar Light launch commercial

  Israel

  Tempo supported the introduction of Goldstar Light with a commercial featuring Israeli performer Moshe Datz.

  Outcome. The available reference confirms the launch and advertising execution but does not report campaign reach, sales results, or other measured outcomes.

  Source

• 2012Beer-market pricing concentrationOther

  By 2012, Tempo and Central Bottling Company were described as controlling approximately 90% of the Israeli beer market between them.

  What changed. The reference states that the companies were able to raise beer prices in unison.

  Aftermath. The supplied material does not establish whether this resulted in a formal regulatory case, court judgment, fine, or remedial measure.

  Approximate Israeli beer-market share. Tempo nearly 50%; Central Bottling Company approximately 40% (2012)

  Source
• 2007Goldstar Light product launchProduct launch

  Tempo expanded the Goldstar range with a lower-alcohol variant.

  What changed. The company introduced Goldstar Light at 4% ABV and promoted it through a commercial featuring Moshe Datz.

  Aftermath. The available reference confirms the product launch but does not provide subsequent sales or market-share data.

  Source
• 2004Investment in Barkan Wine CellarsM&A

  Tempo sought to broaden its beverage activities beyond brewing and soft drinks.

  What changed. In September 2004, Tempo acquired a 39% controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars.

  Aftermath. Tempo gained a controlling position in an Israeli winery whose brands include Segal, extending its portfolio into wine.

  Ownership stake. 39% (September 2004)

  Source
• 1985Goldstar merger integrationM&A

  Goldstar had been produced since the 1950s and entered Tempo's portfolio through a merger in 1985.

  What changed. Tempo incorporated Goldstar into its brewing portfolio.

  Aftermath. Goldstar became one of Tempo's principal beer brands. The supplied material does not identify the merger partner or transaction terms.

  Source

• 2012Tempo and Central Bottling Company described as an effective Israeli beer duopoly

  Reference material states that Tempo controlled nearly half of Israel's beer market while Central Bottling Company controlled about 40%, and that the two companies were able to raise beer prices in unison. The supplied material does not identify a specific enforcement decision or final legal outcome.

  PricingRegulation
  Source
• 2007Tempo introduces Goldstar Light

  Tempo introduced a 4% ABV Goldstar Light variant and promoted it with a commercial featuring Israeli performer Moshe Datz.

  Product launchCampaign
  Source
• 2004Tempo acquires controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars

  Tempo acquired a 39% controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars, expanding its beverage activities into wine and the Segal brand.

  M&A
  Source

1. Tempo Beer Industries