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 | |
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GARNISH | Large orange zest twisted to express oils over drink |
CARLING BLUE LABEL JAM JAR
GLASS | Jam Jar or large high ball | |
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GARNISH | Dried apricot and lemon wedge |
CHOCOLATE STOUT COFFEE
GLASS | Flared Pilsner | |
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GARNISH | Grated dark chocolate |
CHOCOLATE MALT JULEP
GLASS | V shaped pint glass 375ml – 475ml | |
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GARNISH | Large mint sprig and orange twist |
FLYING FISH APPLE PIE
GLASS | Large beer glass | |
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GARNISH | Apple fan (cinnamon dusted optional for additional effect) and straw |
CASTLE LITE FLOWER
GLASS | Stemmed beer glass | |
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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 |