No matter if non-alcoholic or alcoholic, the beverages you see advertised on TV and elsewhere are produced by only a handful of companies which operate all over the world:

Take spirits as an example: J&B, Johnnie Walker and Lagavulin whisky all come from the same stable as do Gordon's and Tanqueray gin.

With tea and softdrinks you have the choice between Nestlé, Unilever, AVI, Coca-Cola Company and Dr Pepper Snapple Group. In case of joint ventures, your alternatives are shrinking even further, like when Unilever combines their Lipton brand and 'tea know-how' with PepsiCo's bottling and distribution network.

These beverage companies know that we thirst for local content, that we want to buy things from people, not corporates, and see faces we can identify with. Take the spirits adverts which feature the distiller in dungarees with a dog and a wooden barrel, and the beer and soft drink promos which take snippets from our lives, just a less 'dry' and therefore happier version.

Fortunately we are currently seeing a real revival of 'homebrewed' beverages, across the board from juice, tea, beer and spirits. And for those of you who can't face a day without a decent cup of caffeine – there is even South African 100% Arabica coffee.