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It’s Heritage Day and that means it’s time to braai and what better way to kick things off than with a cracker selection of go-to braai beers. Here are my top picks for Heritage Day aka, Braai Day 2018.
Cape Brewing Company Pilsner
I’ve had a love affair with this beer for quite a few years now. It’s become my everyday beer and it always delivers. It’s a perfect example of a German pilsner and it’s probably the best in the country. It’s packed with sweet, grainy malt and balanced with generous amounts of spicy, grassy hops with a snappy bitter finish. Pair it with any fatty snack off the braai (skilpadjies are my favourite) and watch the carbonation and bitterness cut straight through with every sip.
Little Wolf Brewery Hoppy Wheat
If you’re looking for a tropical fruit storm in a glass then smash your face into Little Wolf’s flagship brew. It’s hopped to the hilt with Mosaic hops and bursting with guava, mango, papaya and citrus flavours. It goes down easy and will feel right at home around any braai, day or night. My go-to pairing for this brew is peri-peri chicken because the hops will ramp up the chilli heat before cooling your palate for the next bite.
Lakeside Brewing Company Red Session IPA
Not only is Red Session a punchy brew that’s packed with caramel malt and a hefty dose of hops, but it is also one of the best braai pairing beers around. Why you ask? Because braaing caramelises the outside of food which echoes the caramelised malt in the brew. It’s kind of like having cheese sauce on your cheese burger – double the flavour, double the fun. Get yourself some sticky chicken wings and a Red Session this Braai Day and see exactly what I’m talking about.
Drifter Brewing Company The Scallywag IPA
You can never go wrong when you’ve got a Scallywag in one hand and a pair of braai tongs in the other. It’s from one of my favourite Cape Town breweries and it’s a West Coast style American IPA. Expect a bold blend of citrus, pine and floral hop notes backed by a caramel malt body with a long bitter finish. For this pairing, I like to go big with the bold flavours of either a blue cheese burger or a rump steak with fragrant chimichurri sauce.
Bonus Round: Windhoek Lager
What!? But you’re a craft beer guy? Yes and no. I am a beer guy and if there’s one beer that has seen me through more braais than any other it’s a good ol’ Windy. It’s an awesome lager and I love the stuff. It always delivers and the good thing is that it pairs brilliantly with anything off the braai. Cheers and Happy Braai Day!
ALSO READ: 9 Helpful steps to catering for a crowd at your Heritage Day braai