A BEER FOR EVERY PALATE
FOR an avid beer drinker, nothing desperately does a better job to mitigate the sweltering heat on a summer ’ s day than a really cold one.
Better still, let a man walk 10km steadily on a hot summer ’ s day along a dusty English road, and he will soon discover why beer was invented, English author Gilbert K Chesterton once said.
Last Saturday, not even the gloomy weather – which enveloped parts of Joburg – would deter the hundreds of beer lovers from heading off to the annual Sandton Beer Fair for their favourite tipple.
With more than 20 craft brewers in attendance, the selection of brews to sample was thankfully enough to last eight hours of the show – all enjoyed and accompanied with gourmet food.
The line-up included popular brews such as Jack Black ’ s, Aces Brew, Soweto Gold, Swagga and Striped Horse.
It was good to see beer lovers repudiating the stereotype of allegedly being a loud, burping and unwieldy lot – a caricature often painted by their cynical wine counterparts.
They actually enjoyed themselves with goodnatured abandon while lapping up the carnival ambience punctuated by live band music in the background.
My beer trail started with a mild and fruity number called Swagga Country Ale, which carries a sneaky punch hidden under a mildly bitter and endearing palate. With a long and slippery road of 20 stalls lying ahead, the ale actually prepared yours truly for the awaiting gauntlet.
For seasoned beer drinkers, there was an arsenal of big, bold beers made in the style of the powerful Indian pale ales, which tend to go well with spicy curries and steaks.
The uninitiated and fainthearted were catered for too: some stalls – such as the Soweto Brewery – served lighter brews like apple ciders.
Thumbs-up for the brewery ’ s Gogo ’ s Ginger, which is as spicy and delicious just like township grandmas used to make it.
Drinks come and go – but craft beers have undeniably carved a special place in the hearts of many tipplers, who might well agree that “beauty lies in the hands of a beer holder ”.