OnTap Magazine

66 | Autumn 2019 | ontapmag.co.za BREW REVIEWS REVIEWERS: Rob Cass (RC), Lucy Corne (LC), Jaco Hamilton-Attwell (JHA), Marcel Harper (MH), Greg Gilowey & Karl Tessendorf (GG & KT) Whenever I get a chance to taste beer from a new brewery, I proceed with trepidation. I opened the Nguni Gold over my pink bucket – my trusty companion when it comes to gushers. But I did not need the services of the bucket this time around and was very pleasantly surprised by my first beer from the Durban newcomers. Soft aromas of lemon and floral notes are mirrored in the flavour. The beer has a pleasant bitterness and a dry finish that just makes it easy to drink, and easy to grab the next one. 3.9/5 – JHA Darling Brew have brought us another approachable yet complex ale with a kick-ass label. Pixie Dust is inspired by the honey bee and the golden nectar it makes – and in this case, we also mean delicious beer! This ale is honey-gold and hazy, with a creamy off-white head. Spicy on the snout, with some citrus and banana aromas. It tastes like it smells, with a slightly tart bready backbone and a clean finish. All that deliciousness combined with an effervescent yet full-bodied mouthfeel make this a great summertime beer. Let’s give bees a chance! 3.4/5 – GG & KT The latest beer to be added to Woodstock’s core range certainly lives up to its name. From the first sip, you know you’re going to be polishing off at least a couple of pints. There’s a medley of citrus on inhaling: orange peel, a squeeze of lemon and a hint of grapefruit pith, all backed up by just a touch of toast. As well as citrus-forward US hops, there is actual lemon peel added to the brew, which comes through all summery and refreshing when you swallow. Hoppy, bitter, clear and crisp, it’s a refreshing return to the West Coast style – and sessionable enough to drink all afternoon. 3.9/5 – LC Jozi-based Mad Giant has created one of the first “cannabis-infused” (by way of hemp seed) ales in the local market. On the nose, this beer is reminiscent of a lemony, slightly tropical blonde ale, also the base style. First taste is very crisp and clean with whispers of pineapple. The hemp seeds (introduced pre-boil), give the beer a somewhat grassy, waxy aftertaste, which certainly is unique. The beer finishes dry, always a welcome trait in a summer-orientated brew. While Mad Giant's Super Session won't necessarily give you visions, you can't fault the visionary nature of this beer and the brewery that released it. Overall a very classy product. 3.5/5 – MH It’s a bold move to make one of your first releases – and part of your core range – an imperial IPA. That says a lot about the personality of this new brewery from Sasolburg – and the beer delivers. Litchi and grapefruit dominate the aroma, rounded out with hints of caramel malt and some light spicy alcohol notes. The flavour bursts with grapefruit and stone fruit hop flavours, supported by medium toasty and caramel malt flavours and some light alcohol warmth. Medium bodied with a dry finish and lingering hop flavour, this beer is aggressively hopped without compromising on drinkability. I love the detail on the label, presenting ingredients, vital statistics, batch details, as well as food and music pairings. 3.4/5 – RC Nguni Brewing Co. Darling Brew Woodstock Brewery Mad Giant Brewing Company Stash Breweries BREWNEWS SUPER SESSION ALE (4%) SLICE OF LIFE SESSION IPA (4.5%) GOLD (4.5%) PIXIE DUST (4.7%) IMPERIAL IPA (7%)