Tempo Beer Industries

Tempo Beer Industries 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 portfolio combines locally established beer brands, soft drinks, imported beverages and wine interests, giving the company a broader role in Israel's beverage market than a conventional beer producer. The company's principal beer brands are Goldstar, Maccabee and Nesher Malt. Nesher Malt dates to 1935 and is identified as the first commercial beer brewed in Israel. Goldstar has been produced since the 1950s and became part of Tempo through a 1985 merger. Maccabee was first brewed in 1968. Although Goldstar is promoted in Israel as a dark lager, it is a pale golden beer with an alcohol content of 4.9 percent. Maccabee is also a 4.9 percent pale lager and has been marketed outside Israel, including in the United States and Europe. Nesher Malt is made in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms. Tempo expanded beyond beer through branded soft drinks and bottling arrangements. It produces juice-based beverages under the Jump name and serves as the Israeli bottler for PepsiCo soft drinks. The company previously had its own Tempo Kan-Kan soft-drink line, including orange and cola variants, but its later soft-drink role is particularly associated with Pepsi products. Since 1992, Tempo has imported Heineken lager, and in 2005 it became the sole Israeli distributor for Samuel Adams lager. The company also developed a wine presence. In September 2004, Tempo acquired a 39 percent controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars, described as Israel's second-largest winery. Barkan produces wines under the Segal brand, extending Tempo's beverage interests into wine as well as beer and soft drinks. Tempo's commercial position has also attracted attention because of the structure of the Israeli beer market. By 2012, Tempo and Central Bottling Company were described as an effective duopoly, with Tempo controlling nearly half of the market and Central Bottling approximately 40 percent. This concentration gave the two companies substantial influence over domestic beer pricing. Heineken International's 40 percent stake connects Tempo to a major global brewing group while leaving the company identified primarily with Israeli production, distribution and brand management. Tempo's brands have had a visible place in Israeli popular culture. Goldstar was referenced in Duran Duran's 1981 song "Tel Aviv," and an older Tempo advertising jingle has reportedly continued to circulate informally at some American Reform Jewish summer camps. The company therefore represents both an important domestic beverage operator and a house of long-running Israeli beer brands.

Tempo Beer Industries developed within Israel's modern brewing and beverage sector and became one of the country's most significant beverage companies. Its history is closely connected with several beer brands that predate the company's later portfolio expansion. Nesher Malt began production in 1935 and is described as the first commercial beer brewed in Israel. Goldstar has been produced since the 1950s, establishing a long-running domestic lager franchise. Maccabee followed in 1968 and became another of the company's signature pale lagers. A major portfolio change occurred in 1985, when Goldstar was acquired through a merger involving Tempo. This strengthened the company's position in the Israeli beer market and helped make Goldstar one of the central brands associated with the business. Tempo later broadened its commercial role from brewing to importing and distribution. In 1992, it began importing Heineken lager. In 2005, it became the sole distributor in Israel for Samuel Adams lager, adding another internationally recognized beer to its distribution activities. Tempo also entered or expanded in adjacent beverage categories. Its soft-drink operations included juice-based drinks sold under the Jump brand, as well as local bottling for PepsiCo. The company had previously marketed beverages under the Tempo Kan-Kan name, with flavors including orange and cola. These activities positioned Tempo as a diversified beverage operator rather than a company limited to beer production. In September 2004, Tempo acquired a 39 percent controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars. Barkan was described as Israel's second-largest winery and marketed wine under the Segal brand. The investment gave Tempo a meaningful presence in wine and added another category to its domestic beverage portfolio. Heineken International became a significant shareholder, holding 40 percent of Tempo. This relationship linked the Israeli company to a global brewing group while Tempo continued to operate around local production, domestic brand building and Israeli distribution. Its beers also gained some international exposure: Maccabee was marketed in the United States and Europe, while Heineken and Samuel Adams were handled through Israeli import and distribution arrangements. By 2012, the Israeli beer industry was characterized in reference material as an effective duopoly involving Tempo and Central Bottling Company. Tempo was estimated to control nearly half of the market, with Central Bottling holding about 40 percent. The concentration highlighted the company's importance in domestic beer supply and pricing. Tempo's cultural visibility extended beyond market share: Goldstar was mentioned in Duran Duran's 1981 song "Tel Aviv," and an older Tempo advertising jingle reportedly remained familiar in some American Reform Jewish summer camps. The available material does not establish a precise founding year, a current executive roster or a detailed chronology of later corporate changes. The documented record nevertheless presents Tempo as an active Israeli beverage house built around historic beer brands, with additional interests in soft drinks, imported beer and wine.

• 2012

  Tempo reaches nearly half of Israel's beer market

  [1]Tempo Beer Industriesen.wikipedia.org

  Reference material describes Tempo as controlling nearly half of the Israeli beer market within an effective duopoly with Central Bottling Company.

• 2007

  Goldstar Light introduced

  [1]Tempo Beer Industriesen.wikipedia.org

  Tempo introduces Goldstar Light, a 4 percent version of the Goldstar brand, supported by a commercial featuring Moshe Datz.

• 2005

  Samuel Adams distribution agreement

  [1]Tempo Beer Industriesen.wikipedia.org

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

• 2004

  Investment in Barkan Wine Cellars

  [1]Tempo Beer Industriesen.wikipedia.org

  Tempo acquires a 39 percent controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars, extending its business into wine.

• 1992

  Heineken importing begins

  [1]Tempo Beer Industriesen.wikipedia.org

  Tempo begins importing Heineken lager into Israel.

• 1985

  Goldstar enters Tempo through a merger

  [1]Tempo Beer Industriesen.wikipedia.org

  Goldstar is acquired in a 1985 merger, strengthening Tempo's domestic beer portfolio.

• 1968

  Maccabee is first brewed

  [1]Tempo Beer Industriesen.wikipedia.org

  Tempo's Maccabee pale lager is first brewed and later marketed both in Israel and in selected overseas markets.

• 1950

  Goldstar production begins

  [1]Tempo Beer Industriesen.wikipedia.org

  Goldstar is documented as having been produced since the 1950s, becoming one of the company's best-known Israeli beer brands.

• 1935

  Nesher Malt begins production

  [1]Tempo Beer Industriesen.wikipedia.org

  Nesher Malt is identified as the first commercial beer brewed in Israel and remains part of Tempo's beer portfolio in alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms.

A major Israeli beverage company anchored by nationally recognized beer brands and expanded through soft-drink bottling, international beer distribution and wine holdings.

• Pale lager · 1950

  Goldstar

  Goldstar is a long-running Israeli beer brand produced since the 1950s. It is a 4.9 percent ABV pale lager with a golden appearance, although it is marketed in Israel as a dark lager. Tempo later introduced Goldstar Light at 4 percent ABV. Goldstar is certified kosher by the Chief Rabbi of Netanya, Israel, according to the reference material.

• Pale lager · 1968

  Maccabee

  Maccabee is a 4.9 percent ABV pale lager first brewed in 1968. It is distributed in Israel and has also been marketed in the United States and Europe, giving the brand an international distribution footprint alongside its domestic role.

• Malt beverage · 1935

  Nesher Malt

  Nesher Malt is associated with the earliest commercial brewing history in Israel, with production documented since 1935. Tempo produces the brand in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, allowing it to serve different beverage occasions within the malt-drink category.

• Juice-based soft drink

  Jump

  Jump is Tempo's juice-based soft-drink brand. It represents the company's participation in the non-alcoholic beverage market alongside its beer portfolio and PepsiCo bottling activities.

• Carbonated soft drinks

  Pepsi beverages

  Tempo serves as the local Israeli bottler for PepsiCo soft drinks. The arrangement gives the company a major role in producing and distributing international non-alcoholic beverage brands in its home market.

• Imported lager · 1992

  Heineken

  Tempo has imported Heineken lager into Israel since 1992. Heineken International also holds a 40 percent share of Tempo, linking the distribution relationship with a significant ownership interest.

• Imported lager · 2005

  Samuel Adams

  Tempo became the sole distributor in Israel for Samuel Adams lager in 2005, adding an imported American beer brand to its local distribution portfolio.

• Wine

  Segal

  Segal is the wine brand produced by Barkan Wine Cellars, in which Tempo acquired a 39 percent controlling interest in 2004. The investment gave Tempo exposure to Israel's wine sector.

• 2007Goldstar Light launch campaign

  Israel

  Tempo introduced Goldstar Light, a 4 percent version of Goldstar, with a television commercial featuring Israeli performer Moshe Datz.

  Source

• 2007

  Launch Goldstar LightProduct launch

  Background

  Tempo sought to extend its established Goldstar franchise with a lower-alcohol variant.

  Action taken

  Tempo introduced Goldstar Light at 4 percent ABV.

  Source

• 2005

  Become sole Israeli distributor for Samuel AdamsStrategy

  Background

  Tempo already operated as an importer and distributor of international beer brands.

  Action taken

  The company became the sole distributor in Israel for Samuel Adams lager.

  Aftermath

  Samuel Adams joined Tempo's imported-beer portfolio.

  Source

• 2004

  Acquire controlling interest in Barkan Wine CellarsM&A

  Background

  Tempo expanded beyond brewing into other alcoholic beverages.

  Action taken

  Tempo acquired a 39 percent controlling interest in Barkan Wine Cellars.

  Aftermath

  The investment gave Tempo a position in Israel's wine industry through Barkan and its Segal brand.

  Source

• 1992

  Begin importing HeinekenStrategy

  Background

  Tempo sought to complement its locally produced beer brands with international products.

  Action taken

  The company began importing Heineken lager into Israel.

  Aftermath

  Heineken became part of Tempo's Israeli import and distribution business, alongside Heineken International's 40 percent shareholding.

  Source

• 1985

  Acquire Goldstar through a mergerM&A

  Background

  Goldstar had been produced in Israel since the 1950s and was an established domestic beer brand.

  Action taken

  Tempo acquired Goldstar through a 1985 merger.

  Aftermath

  The transaction made Goldstar part of Tempo's core beer portfolio.

  Source

1. 1Tempo Beer Industriesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Tempo company websitetempo.co.il