OnTap Magazine

hen you visit the official website for Fokof Lager, it practically screams at you. “You will never be the same again,” it proclaims “Your power animal is a raised fist. Your middle finger, a burning flag. Your voice, a weapon, screaming FOKOF! into the furrowed faces of our oppressor overlords.” They’re pretty bold words to be said about a 4% ABV lager, but then the rhetoric gives way to the sort of plain speak the band is better known for. “Or.. you know… This is just a lager, buddy,” it reminds you. “Fukn have a few.” This is probably South Africa’s best known celebrity-backed brew, though Sonja Myburgh Ellis, head of marketing for the Fokof Lager brand, is quick to point out that it’s not just about the boys. “I don’t think we’d classify Fokof Lager as a celebrity beer,” she says. “Fokof Lager is for everyone – it’s more a manifesto than a following. A lot of South Africans relate to the concept and message of Fokofpolisiekar, so why not discuss it over a beer?” Sonja adds that even people who have never heard of FPK’s music can enjoy it as “a good, easy-drinking beer that speaks for itself.” And easy-drinking it is. It’s the kind of beer where you can have a few and relax – with food or without. You might even be inspired to toss a swig or two into the marinade around the fire if you’re a foodie who loves to experiment – why shouldn’t the beef steak be screaming Fokof! too? This isn’t the band’s first foray into the world of beer. “Years ago the seed was planted when Sir Thomas Brewing Co. approached them to do a limited run of beers based on song titles,” Sonja continues, referring to Antibiotika IPA, Dagdronk Blonde Ale, Hemel op die Platteland Amber Ale and Skyn Heilig Weiss Bier. “It was so well received that the demand created a space for Fokof Lager to be born.” The beer, a German-style lager, was designed by Devil’s Peak Brewing Co. and is brewed at their Epping brewery. It is available at bottle stores across the country and can be found on tap at select venues around South Africa. As band member Jaco “Snakehead” Venter describes it, “Fokof Lager is the Spirit of Fokof in a bottle.” There you have it – straight from the snake’s mouth. It’s the kind of beer that is clearly made to be enjoyed by a close group of friends who share the ideals of a revolution, whether your revolution is cracking open a beer while raising a finger to the establishment or simply sipping a few while cranking Hemel op die Platteland. Fokof Lager is the spirit of Fokof in a bottle. ontapmag.co.za | Winter 2018 | 33