OnTap Magazine

12 | Autumn 2026 | ontapmag.co.za FEATURE SOUTHMEETS EAST NICK BUSH U ntil now, South and East Africa have shared a lot — trade routes, travellers, and stories carried on the wind — but never a beer quite like this. When Zwakala Brewery from Limpopo made the journey north to 254 Brewery in Nairobi, Kenya, it wasn’t just about collaboration. It was about connection. The beer they brewed together is called Afro Kariibia, a 5.0% Mango IPA whose name carries real meaning. Kariibia comes from Swahili and means “come closer” — the same idea behind Zwakala’s own name in Sepedi. Two regions, two languages, one message: let’s connect. Brewed with Southern Aroma hops from South Africa and fresh Kenyan mangoes, Afro Kariibia bursts with tropical fruit, soft haze, and a sunny, easy-drinking warmth that feels unmistakably African. It’s more than a collaboration — it’s an invitation. A call to come closer, share a beer, and taste what happens when Africa brews together. To unpack the story behind the beer, I sat down with Rob Tooley from Zwakala Brewery, alongside Eoin Flinn (co-owner) and Joe Mburu Muigai (head brewer) from 254 Brewery.