OnTap Magazine

LESOTHO ESWATINI NORTHERN CAPE WESTERN CAPE EASTERN CAPE KWAZULU-NATAL FREE STATE NORTH WEST LIMPOPO MPUMALANGA GAUTENG Sabie Dullstroom Cape Town Bloemfontein Kimberley Pretoria Johannesburg Polokwane Gqeberha Jeffreys Bay East London Plettenberg Bay Mossel Bay Hermanus Durban Clarens Mbombela Makhanda HITTINGTHE IPATRAIL The IPA (India Pale Ale) has its origins in the late 18th century. They started simply as pale ales, some of which were shipped to British colonies, including India. Brewers knew the preservative properties of hops and began to add more to the barrels to help them survive the journey in a good state. English IPAs are quite rare these days, so make sure you try them along the IPA trail. As the craft beer revolution took off in the USA, brewers were inspired by the heavy hopping of the IPA, but substituted bold American hops with their prominent aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and pine. American IPAs now dominate the market over the more restrained English IPA with its spicy, earthy aromas. ALE TRAIL CRAIG CLAASSEN I f you are an IPA drinker (guilty!) it is quite likely that the mere mention of the style has you salivating; the crisp lingering bitterness, a punch of citrus or tropical fruit, all embedded in a slightly malty sip. That first sip could well be considered evidence of the perfect beer style. After all, some might say the craft beer revolution has been built around it. I have been fortunate enough to be promoting beer tourism in South Africa for a number of years. Over the last two years, as a silver lining to the Covid pandemic, there has been a shift in South African tourism development towards local exploration. This has built great interest in not only drinking beer, but experiencing beer. About time, right? And with International IPA Day around the corner (4 August 2022), I am finding it impossible not to link my wanderlust with the thorough enjoyment of the perfect IPA. So a thought popped into my head: what about planning an IPA trek through South Africa? It’s a fine idea for sure, but with upwards of 150 breweries across the nine provinces, where do you start? Look no further, for I have done the research for you and compiled a list of IPAs across the country. Of course it’s not an exhaustive catalogue – many breweries offer seasonal or rotational IPAs and others inexplicably don’t seem to list their beers anywhere making it difficult to know what’s on offer until you rock up at the bar. But if you’re seeking out a hoppy pint for IPA Day, I’m pretty sure you’ll find a few close to you in the list and map that follows. MORE ABOUT IPA 60 | Winter 2022 | ontapmag.co.za