South Africa’s beer culture has undoubtedly evolved in recent years. With the advent of craft brewing and food pairings, the versatility of beer is continually being tested.
Stout, with a rich chocolate brownie, a coriander infused lager and winter-warming ales are just some examples of beer breaking boundaries that a few years ago would have been difficult to imagine.
Many new and old beer lovers might now be wondering what iscoming next, and beer cocktails, of course, istrending. And we’re not talking about the hangover-inducing concoctions of yesteryear.
South Africa’s beer culture has undoubtedly evolved in recent years. With the advent of craft brewing and food pairings, the versatility of beer is continually being tested.
Instead, beautifully crafted combinations of fresh fruit, herbs, spices, juices and syrups combined with beer to produce flavour sensations, perfectly suited for lazy weekend afternoons.
South African Breweries (SAB) and LiquidChefs Mobile Bar Services recently joined forces to create a sumptuous selection of light beer cocktails that are low in alcohol content and perfectly suited to a mellow start to any weekend.
According to Frieda Dehrmann, SABMiller’s top beer taster, beer cocktails are already being served in many upmarket London restaurants. “We’re excited to have started experimenting with our own versions of beer cocktails back home.” Says Frieda. “ In my mind this is the next step in the evolution of beer, following closely on the heels of the craft beer movement that has taken South Africa by storm over the last few years.”
SAB’s Master Brewer, Kate Jones worked with LiquidChefs to develop the cocktails, and she conceded that she was initially sceptical about combining beer with anything but a good meal. “Being a brewer, the idea of mixing beer was almost sacrilegious, but when we sat down with LiquidChefs and started playing around, it quickly became apparent that the versatility of beer means that it combines well with different flavours, much as it does with different kinds of food.”
Craig Shapiro, owner of LiquidChefs, adds: “We wanted to create something light and low in alcohol content which is why we steered away from spirits and chose instead to focus on ingredients such as fresh fruit, herbs and spices.
Some of the combinations are a little unexpected, but the result is a beer revolution. And best of all is that the ingredients are all widely available, which means that these cocktails are easily recreated at home.”
Here are few tips to experience your own flavour combination:
Happy stirring, shaking and mixing!
Recipes
Castle deLite
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Milk Stout Medley
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Miller Summer Storm
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Black Label Fusion
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