CAPE TOWN, Western Cape (AFP) - Swaziland beer drinkers face a thirst-inducing shortage of brews in the coming weeks, as the kingdom's biggest brewery upgrades its bottling equipment, beer makers said on Thursday.

A local subsidiary of brewing giant SABMiller said a US$6.1 million (S$7.72 million) project to replace an ageing bottling line has shut down beer production, but not that of soft drinks or traditional brews.

Ms Sharon Maziya of Swaziland Beverages sought to allay panic, saying the shortage would last approximately two weeks.

"We are almost done and should be up and running shortly." The company makes several beers locally, including lagers, a milk stout and a pilsner.