SIP A BEER COCKTAIL THIS SUMMER

The coming warmer weather has reinvigorated creative thinking, and the beer guru's at The South African Breweries have come up with a host of delicious new beer cocktails. Beer is no longer just a 'braai and rugby-time' staple and South Africa is currently experiencing an on-trend beer movement, galvanised by the craft beer industry and its explosion of different beer styles.

 

"Today people have a deeper appreciation for beer, " said Denis da Silva, SAB Trade Brewer at Newlands Brewery in Cape Town. Beer is showcased through a multitude of taste experiences from beer and food pairings, cooking with beer and beer cocktails. With the help of Owen O'Reilly, mixologist and director at SIP Exclusive, six new beer cocktails have been created with four of the new innovative products from the SAB stable – Castle Milk Stout Chocolate Infused, Carling Blue Label, Castle Lite Lime and Flying Fish Apple. "The brief was simple – conceptualise delicious cocktails that are easy for consumers to make at home, " said da Silva. According to O'Reilly, this was the first time he has created beer cocktails but says he can see it being a big hit. "I eagerly accepted the 'challenge' of creating new beer cocktails for SAB – which I found really easy to do, " he said. "The body of the beer makes it a perfect platform to add other flavours to, which compliments the complex flavours of the beer." "Beer also adds a great texture and mouthfeel to cocktails." For those who would like to try them at home, see the recipes below.  

BLUE FASHIONED

	GLASS	Large tumbler
	INGREDIENTS	20 ml sugar syrup 1 orange rind 3 dashes Angostura bitters Carling Blue Label, chilled
	METHOD	Add sugar, orange and bitters to glass Fill tumbler with ice Top up with beer Stir for 5 seconds Garnish and serve
	GARNISH	Large orange zest twisted to express oils over drink

 

CARLING BLUE LABEL JAM JAR

	GLASS	Jam Jar or  large high ball
	INGREDIENTS	25ml fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. apricot jam 25ml scotch whiskey (for best results) Carling Blue Label, chilled
	METHOD	Mix first three ingredients (everything but the beer) together with ice, seal lid and shake well. Remove lid and top with beer Garnish and serve
	GARNISH	Dried apricot and lemon wedge

 

CHOCOLATE STOUT COFFEE

	GLASS	Flared Pilsner
	INGREDIENTS	25ml Irish whiskey (for best results) 50ml cold strong filter coffee 25ml vanilla syrup 1 egg white Half glass, Castle Milk Stout Chocolate, chilled
	METHOD	Mix first 4 ingredients (everything but the beer) together in a separate shaker/jar, add lots of ice and shake well Pour chilled beer into glassware (halfway with no ice) and then strain the mixed ingredients on top. Top up the glass with leftover beer. Garnish and serve
	GARNISH	Grated dark chocolate

 

CHOCOLATE MALT JULEP

	GLASS	V shaped pint glass 375ml – 475ml
	INGREDIENTS	25ml vanilla syrup 1 orange wedge 8-10 mint leaves Crushed ice Castle Milk Stout Chocolate, chilled
	METHOD	Mix first three ingredients (everything but the beer) together in glassware and muddle. Add crushed ice. Top up with beer. Churn lightly and cap with more crushed ice. Garnish and serve
	GARNISH	Large mint sprig and orange twist

 

FLYING FISH APPLE PIE

	GLASS	Large beer glass
	INGREDIENTS	25ml fresh lemon juice 50ml cloudy apple juice 15ml cinnamon syrup 25ml brandy Flying Fish Green Apple, chilled
	METHOD	Mix all the ingredients together with ice, stir well Garnish and serve
	GARNISH	Apple fan (cinnamon dusted optional for additional effect) and straw

 

CASTLE LITE FLOWER

	GLASS	Stemmed beer glass
	INGREDIENTS	1 lime wedge squeezed 25ml gin 25ml elderflower cordial Castle Lite Lime
	METHOD	Mix first three ingredients (everything but the beer) together in glasswareFill with ice Top with beer and stir. Garnish and serve
	GARNISH	Edible flower or mint sprig