OnTap Magazine

JACK BLACK BREWING CO. RICHMOND HILL BREWING COMPANY RICHMOND HILL BREWING COMPANY SHACKLETON BREWING COMPANY IN COLLABORATION WITH BRADLEY BERGH SKELETON COAST IPA | 6.5% ABV AFRICA BREW SORGHUM IPA 2023 | 5.9% ABV SINGULARITY BELGIAN SINGLE | 6.3% ABV SWEET CANDY CANE DOUBLE IPA VOL.2 | 7.5% ABV 4.0 3.7 3.9 4.0 Jack Black Brewing Company has been around since 2007 and has developed another favourite, the Skeleton Coast IPA. The bottle and label design is not far from the already noticeable and trendy brand we know. The beer itself is amber in colour and ignites the senses as soon as it is poured. The beer gives off an enchanting floral and fruity aroma that makes one eager to take the first sip. Its bitterness mirrors typical IPA characteristics and is accompanied by malty notes. It is medium-bodied but light enough, allowing you to happily grab another. The slight carbonation and dry finish are refreshing, making the overall beer well-balanced. If you find yourself in Gqeberha, don't miss a chance to visit Richmond Hill Brewing Company (winner of the best beer in Africa at the African Beer Cup 2023), known for its wide range of expertly crafted beers and a small yet delicious menu. The first thing you notice when you pour this year's Africa Brew IPA is its captivating colour: deep purple with hues of red, a result of hibiscus and butterfly pea flowers. This visual allure sets the stage for RHBC's unique take on the annual tradition. Each year, the Africa Brew IPA showcases a unique interpretation of its base recipe, and RHBC has truly made it their own in 2023. The initial nose is a tropical fruit punch with a touch of peach and berry, a deeper whiff brings hints of pine needles and light spicy undertones that bring the aroma together. Taking the first sip, the light maltiness along with subtle peach and berry notes gives a lovely juicy impression, this is swiftly replaced with a strong yet balanced bitterness, that along with the light spiciness from the sorghummalt in this beer, carries on into the finish, just emploring you to take another sip. An eye-catching beer with an aroma and flavour that beckons for another sip, this limited release is not to be missed. Get yourself a can before they all disappear. A golden ale as clear as a sunny day, this year's RHBC homebrew fest winner is a Belgian single crafted by the talented Gerhard Gildenhuys. He won quite the prize: getting to have a batch of his beer brewed and canned at the brewery! Immediately enticing with a soft clovey aroma, backed with a light zesty hop note and a bready and biscuity malt sweetness. Textbook Belgian ale! The first sip delivers on that aroma and more. Sweet malt and zesty hops are complimented by a light alcoholic note. This is a malt-forward beer, with just enough bitterness to stop it from becoming too sweet. The notes of clove and lemony zest take over in the finish leading to a remarkably quaffable beer despite the 6.3% ABV. I believe the Belgians refer to this as digestibility! We do love breweries that support their local home brewers, and by extension, we go out of our way to support them. And when there are beers like this to be had, so should you! This is a very special beer indeed! Not only is it delicious, but it's also made in loving memory of Candace Cane, who passed away from leukemia. Proceeds from the beer go towards cancer prevention initiatives. The collab beer between Bradley and Shackleton is released once every few years with some small tweaks each time. This year, Volume 2 was released in November. The beer label is very striking and fun with a nostalgic look to it but with a serious message: #craftagainstcancer. About the beer itself: this beautiful dark golden IPA has a big frothy head that makes the beer look very appealing. When you open the can (or drink it fresh) the hop is fruity and floral on the nose with some biscuity malt present. The bitterness is not overpowering but lingering with a fruity aftertaste. One of the most pleasant characteristics of this beer is the complex malt profile that carries the hoppiness of the beer and creates a backbone to the hoppiness. When it was served fresh at the launch there were some candy canes that paired very well with beer and made it even more enjoyable. Although this is a double IPA it is very sessionable and tasty. 58 | Summer 2023 | ontapmag.co.za