Noncommercial alcohol in Botswana is part of local tradition and culture. Historically, the production and sale of noncommercial beverages attracted some opposition from tribal and colonial authorities. Although there are no current laws prohibiting its production or sale, it retains a distinctly “underground” character. A wide variety of traditional brews exists, based on grains, fruits, berries, honey, roots, palm sap, and other ingredients. Recently, various additives such as tobacco, cannabis, battery acid, and methyl alcohol have found their way into some of the brews, particularly those favored by some living in remote areas, such as the San or Bushmen, with occasional reports of poisoning that have sometimes resulted in death.
 

However, the production and consumption of traditional sorghum- or millet-based beer is integral to many Tswana celebrations and rituals and is central to weddings, harvest festivals, and events in honor of ancestors, and bojalwa jwa Setswana is regarded with deep affection by many Batswana.