6 Interesting international brews for World Beer Day 2018

(image: iStock) 

We’ve barely recovered from IPA Day but it’s time turn things up a notch with International Beer Day 2018. Here are a couple of outstanding brews to kick off the festivities.

Brewdog – Jet Black Heart Vanilla Milk Stout
I love dark beers and Jet Black Heart has been one of my go-to brews since it first appeared as part of Brewdog’s Prototype Series. It’s everything a great milk stout should be with a touch of vanilla to bump up the sweetness. The body and smooth carbonation are liquid velvet on the tongue and it’s absolutely packed with dark chocolate, coffee and berry flavours. If you see it, get it and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.  

Our first beer on tap at @capitalcraftpta Beer Festival this Saturday 16 June is from the dark side, and being poured on Nitro for that decadent mouthfeel, with thick and creamy head! Jet Black Heart Vanilla Milk Stout on Nitro accentuates everything you ever loved about this beer in its original form. The roasty malt flavours of coffee and chocolate play off the nitro in perfect harmony alongside a gentle vanilla hit. Along with the nitro, flaked oats and wheat add to the velvet mouthfeel. Magnum and Sorachi Ace bring a berry & citrus fruitiness that amplifies the chocolate character of this inky leviathan. Get there early if you want to give this baby a spin, we’ve only got limited stock for the show! #BrewDog #JetBlackHeart #VanillaMilkStout #NitroTap #DarkBeer #CapitalCraft #CapitalCraftBeerFest #CraftBeer #Johannesburg #SouthAfrica

A post shared by Brew Dog South Africa (@brewdogza) on Jun 13, 2018 at 2:24am PDT

Mikkeller – Green Gold IPA
Mikkeller is one of the best breweries in the world and the cool thing is they don’t even have their own brewery. They gypsy brew from brewery to brewery around the world and still manage to produce outstanding beers. Green Gold is Mikkeller’s tribute to the hop and it’s full of them. Expect massive grapefruit, pine and tropical fruit flavours with a big, long bitter finish. 

MIKKELLER AT THE TAPROOM @TheTaproomDPBC is proud to offer Peter, Pale and Mary Pale Ale, American Dream Hoppy Pilsner and Green Gold IPA from our friends at @MikkellerBeer! Available Wednesday, 14 June, from noon. #CapeTown . . . #beerific #beerme #beerporn #ilovebeer #beer #beerenthusiast #craftbeerlover #brew #brewery #lovebeer #beersofinstagram #instabeer #instagood #beerlove #craftbeerporn #craftbeernotcrapbeer #craftbeerlife #craftbeerlove #craftbeercommunity #beers #beersnob #beertography #beernerd #beertime #southafrica

A post shared by Devil’s Peak Brewing Company (@devilspeakbc) on Jun 13, 2017 at 8:47am PDT

Duvel Moortgat Brewery – Duvel
It’s one of Belgium’s most famous beers and it delivers every single time. In true Belgian style, Duvel is fermented and then refermented in the bottle to create its signature flavour. It pours with a massive, pillowy head that lingers for days and it’s packed with fruit and spice aromas and flavours. Duvel has been brewed by the Moortgat family with great care for four generations and the brewery is on my bucket list of places to visit one day. 

Tag someone you would like to grab a beer with this evening #BelgianBeerCompany #BelgianBeer #BeerwithFriends #BeerBuddies #TagaFriend #Duvel #DuvelBeer #BelgianBeers #Biere #Cereveza #Friends #Beer #InstaBeer #BeerTime #BeerOClock

A post shared by Belgian Beer Company SA (@belgianbeercompany) on Jul 19, 2018 at 7:06am PDT

Fierce Beer – Tangerine Tart
And now for something completely different. As you’d expect from the name, Tangerine Tart is like nothing you have ever tasted before. It’s a sour ale that hits you with orange and tangerine flavours but as soon as you swallow, it puckers your palate with a sour candy and sherbet finish. It sounds strange but it’s refreshing and surprisingly sessionable. 

Tangerine Tart enjoys lulling you in with a fresh, juicy start . . . then BAM . . . a crisp, sour finish grabs you by the scruff and gives a good shake! Respect the wolf. ???? . . . #brew #craftbeerlife #beertography #beers #craftbeernotcrapbeer #beerific #lovebeer #beer #beersnob #beerporn

A post shared by Fierce Beer South Africa (@fiercebeerza) on Dec 26, 2017 at 11:21pm PST

Boulevard Brewing Company – Tank 7 Saison
I am a sucker for Belgian saisons and Tank 7 is one of the best around. It’s the perfect mix of dry, peppery saison character but dosed with a generous amount of American-style hopping. It’s bursting with citrus hop flavours and unmistakable Belgian yeast characteristics. Not bad for an American made Belgian saison. In fact, the Belgians thought the same so they bought the brewery.   

This is fantastic ?? cheers to @belgianbeercompany & @boulevard_beer #saison #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram

A post shared by Karl Tessendorf & Greg Gilowey (@beercountrysa) on Feb 25, 2018 at 7:02am PST

Fuller’s Brewery – London Porter
Fuller’s Porter is one of the reasons I look forward to winter so much every year. Sure I drink it in summer too but it just seems to come alive when its cold. It’s rich, roasty and complex yet it’s lighter in body than a stout. It’s full of biscuit, toffee, caramel, raisin, chocolate and coffee flavours with a bittersweet finish.     

Our modern take on the 19th century porter style – London Porter has been awarded Champion Beer of London, in the Porter Category!

A post shared by Fuller’s (@fullers) on Mar 28, 2018 at 5:39am PDT

ALSO READ: 5 Reasons you should be drinking local SA craft beer

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.