This Friday is International Beer Day when lovers of the brew from around the globe will be flocking to pubs and breweries to enjoy a cold one.
Beer is one the world’s most beloved drink and thanks to several local and national brewers, it is more than just standard beer that tickles the taste buds these days.
South Africans consumes roughly 34.47 million hectolitres (hl) of ale annually, which makes it the world’s 12th largest beer consuming nation.
To cater to diverse consumer preferences, breweries have pushed the boundaries of flavour innovation. Spices, fruit and herbal tisanes, like Rooibos, have found their way into beer recipes, resulting in intriguing blends that reflect the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Adele du Toit, spokesperson for the South African Rooibos Council says the small-batch, all-natural brewing market has experienced a surge in popularity.
“For modern consumers, homebrewing and enjoying unique and diverse beer flavours add value to the experience. Homebrewing allows beer enthusiasts to experiment with different ingredients and brewing techniques, which provide them with a chance to create personalised and one-of-a-kind (signature) brews.
“It also allows individuals to be creative with their beer recipes. They can experiment with various hops, malts, yeast strains and extras to craft beers tailored to their preferences. This level of customisation is not always possible with commercial beers.”
She says the use of Rooibos in beer has found increasing favour among craft brewers the world over with dozens of Rooibos-infused beer options now available.
“Rooibos, which is native to South Africa, has unique flavours and characteristics that can complement and enhance beer profiles. Rooibos’ mild sweetness, earthy notes, and hints of vanilla and honey adds to its appeal in beer. These flavours can add complexity and depth to various beer styles, particularly lighter or malt-forward brews.
For homebrewers, give this Rooibos Beer Recipe a try on International Beer Day:
It makes: 7,25 litres
Preparation time: 20 Minutes (excluding fermentation time)
Ingredients
5 ml sugar
500 ml lukewarm water
10 g instant yeast (15 ml – 1 packet)
600 g castor sugar (750 ml)
15 ml tartaric acid
250 ml lemon juice
20 ml lemon rind
3 l strong rooibos tea
3,5 l cold water
Method
1. Dissolve the 5 ml sugar in 500 ml lukewarm water. Sprinkle the instant yeast over and set aside until frothy, about 10 minutes.
2. Mix the remaining dry ingredients with the liquid and juice together with the activated yeast mixture and stir until well mixed.
3. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrapping and leave in a warm place for about 12 hours.
4. Strain the mixture through a muslin cloth and pour the beer into bottles with tops. Leave in a cool place for 3 days. Chill before serving.
Hint
As the beer is very fizzy, ensure that the bottles are opened slowly and carefully, allowing the fizz to subside before totally removing the lid. It must be stored in a cool place or else the yeast will ferment too quickly, and the bottles could explode (preferably use plastic bottles).
