Writer: Lucy Corne
Varsity Brews
Students from South African colleges and universities compete for glory and cash prizes in the annual Intervarsitybrew Brewing & Tasting Challenge. This unique event features learning experiences coupled with a competition featuring native ingredients, and is a launching pad for the region’s future brewers.
Chefs Tipsy Elephant
This specialty IPA features the African marula fruit — yellow stone fruits about the size of golf balls that are high in sugar, sweet, syrupy in texture, and with an almost citrus-like flavor. Marula was said to accentuate the hop character. Brewed by the 1000 Hills Chef School, it took first place in the IPA category at the 2024 Intervarsitybrew competition.
University of Cape Town’s Wit Restraint
This low-ABV witbier was the Best of Show winner from the 2024 Intervarsitybrew competition brewed by students at the University of Cape Town and features the unique South African hop Southern Passion in addition to the coriander and orange zest witbiers are known for.
Funky Blondy Mixed Fermentation Sour
Brewed by students from the University of Limpopo, this blonde sour beer was awarded bronze in the Intervarsitybrew competition’s sour beer category. The recipe uses a blonde ale base to express light to moderate malty aroma, possibly with a light bread or caramel note, and it also expresses low to moderate fruitiness, with medium hop aroma. Such low characters will not interfere with the sourness, acidity and funky character contributed by fermenting yeast and bacteria.”
Traditional Umqombothi
Traditional Umqombothi (~2.5 gallons/10 L, all-grain)ABV = ~2.5% Recipes for umqombothi vary wildly. Some use double the amount of sorghum-to-maize, others use more maize than sorghum. Some start with a vast amount
A Sip of Tradition
Umqombothi is an ancient South African beer made from maize and sorghum and spontaneously fermented. Explore the traditions and techniques around this unique beverage.
