When it comes to beer, South Africa has a lot to offer. From imported beers like Heineken and Guinness to local favorites like Castle Lager, Black Label, Amstel, and Carlsberg, there's something for everyone. In recent years, craft beer has become increasingly popular in South Africa, with brewers creating unique flavors and styles. In this article, we'll explore some of the best beers made in South Africa, from traditional bantu beer to craft brews.
Bantu beer is a traditional beer made with corn grits and kaffircorn malt. It's usually packaged in a cardboard box and has a cloudy brown color with a sour fruity flavor. This robusta beer is made with barley malted with chocolate and has a creamy foam with a moderate bitterness. Leipzig, Germany is home to a centuries-old brewery that produces a beer similar to bantu beer.
Both contain approximately the same percentage of alcohol, but while fermentation ends in the case of European beer through pasteurization after bottling, it continues with bantu beer until it becomes “acidic”. South Africa is the twelfth most beer consuming country in the world, representing 1.8 percent of the world's total beer consumption. Over the past twenty years, South Africa has seen an influx of smaller breweries producing different styles of beer. As a result, the alcohol content of bantu beer increases after leaving the brewery and it is not uncommon to find that it contains more alcohol than allowed by law. SAB distributes beer through its extensive network, augmented by a fleet of independent truckers (called owner drivers) comprising mainly former employees, many of whom had been helped by the group to start their own businesses.
This is great for beer aficionados who can expect probably a couple hundred new brewers who aspire to take their craft to new heights with their creations. Devil's Peak King's Blockhouse IPA is one of the most popular craft beers in South Africa. It's won several awards at local beer fairs and has a strong following among craft beer enthusiasts. South Africa accounts for 34% of Africa's formal beer market and is expected to grow by 8-10% annually over the next five years. Whether you're looking for an imported lager or a unique craft brew, South Africa has something for everyone. With its wide range of beers and its growing craft scene, South Africa is an exciting place for beer lovers to explore.
