OnTap Magazine

talk on the past, present and future of the competition, which he has been involved with from its inception. Students raved about the talks from Petr Vesely, Brewing Innovations Manager at AB-InBev, who spoke about brewing with home-grown African ingredients, as well as giving a talk on his experiences at Pilsner Urquell in the Czech Republic. While the talks were taking place, the judges were busy evaluating the students’ beers, which were entered in five categories: lager, summer beer (under 3.5% ABV), IPA, sour and African wild ale. Beers are all judged against the BJCP guidelines by qualified judges and experienced brewers. Each of the category winners then went head to head to determine the overall best of show. A separate panel also judged the label design awards, with the top prize going to Stellenbosch University. THE NEXT GENERATION Before results were announced, students, judges and speakers got the chance to meet representatives from all 12 institutions – and more importantly, to taste their brews at the afternoon showcase. There was a marvellous atmosphere of camaraderie and pride as students sampled each other’s brews, lavished compliments and provided constructive feedback. The Intervarsity Brewing Competition has grown considerably since it was created in 2008 by then SAB Trade Brewer Ben Lamaletie, and it is an initiative that needs to be preserved. In a country with very limited access to brewing education, the competition helps to nurture the next generation of brewers. Past alumni include Kyle Moskovitz of AB-InBev (see page 14), Olaf Morgenroth from The Franschhoek Beer Company, Eben Uys, founder of Mad Giant and Megan Gemmell from Clockwork Brewhouse, who mentored the Chef School team to their big win at this year’s contest. The level of beer knowledge, quality of beers and the professionalism when it comes to labelling those beers has certainly blossomed over the years, proving that the future of South Africa’s beer industry is in very good hands. 2021 INTERVARSITY BREWING COMPETITION Full Results Best Lager 1st: Stellenbosch University - Skouponie (Czech lager) 2nd: University of Cape Town - Sirius Black Lager (Schwarzbier) 3rd: University of Johannesburg - German Legend (German Helles Exportbier) Best IPA 1st: 1000 Hills Chef School - Elephant Balls (American IPA) 2nd: North-West University Potch - Jackal (Double IPA) 3rd: Stellenbosch University - BitterBugger (Double IPA) Best Sour Beer 1st: University of Cape Town - Antarctic Gose 2nd: 1000 Hills Chef School - Nicole (Berliner Weisse) 3rd: University of the Free State - Berliner Weisse Best African Wild Ale 1st: Central University of Technology - WildChild (Wild African Weissbier) 2nd: Stellenbosch University - 42 (Specialty Fruit Beer) 3rd: Cape Peninsula University of Technology - Solera Africa (Lambic) Best Low Alcohol Beer 1st: University of Cape Town - Saisonal Change (Saison) 2nd: Cape Peninsula University of Technology - Emthunzini (American Pale Ale) 3rd: University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN-PMB) - Oasis (American Pale Ale). Best Label Design 1st: Stellenbosch University – Summer Session 2nd: University of Pretoria – African Queen Bee 3rd: University of Cape Town – Cape of Good Hops Best Beer on Show 1000 Hills Chef School - Elephant Balls (American IPA) The future of South Africa’s beer industry is in very good hands CUT students celebrate their win in the wild African ale category Team UCT collects their cheque for best sour beer from ABI's Petr Vessely Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela hands over the best low-alcohol prize to students from University of Cape Town Images by Kobus Robbertze #intervarsitybrew2021 ontapmag.co.za | Summer 2021 | 61