GET BOTH BEERS, AND YOU dECIDE!

I may have missed the perfect occasion to test-run this recipe on the

Saturday when

Bafana Bafana, the Proteas and the Springboks all took to the field, but was inspired by the clash with the

Scots when pairing the dish.

Sweet potato chips can be delicious. The spice on these takes them up a notch, while the mayonnaise is smooth, creamy and slightly tangy, balancing the natural sweetness in the chip.

There were two pairing contenders. First is the Soweto Gold Lager, originally brewed by founder Ndumiso Madlala, which is now available far beyond the borders of Soweto, thanks to its recent acquisition by Heineken. It’s a rich, full-flavoured lager with a slightly bitter finish, and therefore delicious with the chips and mayo dip.

Its fierce competitor was the number one-selling Scottish lager, Tennent’s, which is a lighter, fresher style of lager with a crisp, dry, hoppy finish. It cleaned the richness of the mayo from the palate nicely.

My fellow tester paired each mouthful with a Soweto shandy. Each sip was slightly sweet and bitter, making it a refreshing drink that complemented the flavours in each chew.

The winner? Get both, and you decide. Santé!

• Pairing recommendation by Cape Wine Master Derek Ramsden. Email him at derek@onewinecellar.co.za.