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Hop heads, rejoice! International IPA (India Pale Ale) Day is here and it’s time to crack open a few hoppy local rock star brews.
St. Francis Brewing Company – Wildside IPA
Wildside IPA has a fresh new look and an epic new taste. It’s rammed with a chunky caramel malt backbone that supports a hefty dose of hops. Expect floral and tropical fruit aromas and flavours with a long, bitter finish. The great news is that it’s now brewed at Devil’s Peak which means that it should be more widely available soon. The even better news is that it will be available for IPA Day on tap in Cape St. Francis, and at The Devil’s Peak Tap Room in Salt River, Cape Town.
Devil’s Peak Brewing Company – Unfiltered King’s Blockhouse IPA
Yes, you read that right. The King. Unfiltered. On Tap. For lovers of hops, it doesn’t get much better than this. King’s Blockhouse is renowned for its massive tropical fruit, floral and pine flavours. The only catch is that it will only be available in Cape Town at the Tap Room in Salt River. If you happen to live anywhere else in the country and you’ve got a few air miles saved up then now is the time to cash them in. The clock is ticking.
Mad Giant Brewing Company – Urban Legend IPA
Mad Giant is easily the most impressive brewpub in Jozi with an epic selection of beers. For IPA Day though, it can only be the Urban Legend IPA with its blend of 5 hop varieties. Expect punchy floral, pine, grapefruit and tropical fruit flavours supported by a toasty biscuit malt bill. It’s well balanced, highly drinkable, and even better when it’s poured on tap at the brewery.
House IPAs for Days at Banana Jam Cafe & Afro Caribbean Brewery
Cape Town’s Banana Jam Cafe is one of the best craft beer bars in the country and they always put on a show for IPA Day. This year they’re breaking their own record with no less than 8 of their own IPAs on tap and in cans. Add to that an IPA themed menu and you’ve got the makings of an IPA Day to remember, or not remember depending on how many of the 8 you manage to smash.
Woodstock Brewery – Small Batch Brews
Woodstock Brewery always pull out all the hops for IPA Day and this year is no exception. They’ve got not one, not two, but three small batch brews on tap and they’re all pretty crazy. So if you feel like a Foot Loop IPA, a Sour Black IPA, or a Smash (single hop, single malt) IPA then you better get to their taproom. The kegs are limited and I doubt they’ll be around by the end of the day.
Agar’s Brewery – Tomahawk IPA
If you’re looking for one of the finest IPAs in Jozi then look no further than Agar’s Tomahawk IPA. My beery friends from that side of the world swear by it and for good reason. It’s big, aggressive, packed with massive citrus flavours and a seriously bitter finish. It’s available in plenty of good restaurants and bottle stores all over Jozi so keep your eyes open.
Karl Tessendorf is one part of the duo that hosts ‘Beer Country’, South Africa’s first TV show dedicated to beer, braai and the open road.