Having the crew over to watch the upcoming rugby? It’s always a good idea to have snacks and food on hand. Stock up on the right crowd-pleasing and delicious combination of beer and game-day food to keep the couch coaches fueled up all game long! Here are our top pairs for snacking on during those edge-of-your-seat moments throughout the game. May the best team win!

Game-day food and beer pairing

Pairings are all about coaxing the most pleasure out of each element — on this occasion; we’re talking craft beer and game-day food.

Beer is an excellent match for food because of the complexity of its flavours. Now more than ever before, there’s synergy between beer and food. We have to consider what elements are at play, such as texture, flavour, aromatics, fat, acidity, sweetness, bitterness, and carbonation, to name a few of the most important. Let’s explore what food tastes best with some of our favourite craft brews. 

Amber ale 

We are starting with the Cheerleader, our malty and balanced craft beer. 

A generous hop bill of Amarillo Gold and Willamette pairs really well with smoky Texan-style brisket. Cut the brisket up and serve snack-style as the game is in play. 

The fiery flavour of this beer also compliments spiciness, so consider serving it alongside spicy game-day food, such as zingy samosas, chilli bites or jalapeno poppers. 

Barbeque biltong and amber ales also make for a dynamic flavour duo.

Indian pale ale

The rich taste of The Graduate, our Indian pale ale, is a delicious beverage to cool you down as the pressure mounts on the rugby field.

Hints of passion fruit, litchi and grapefruit make this IPA your top choice to pair with chilli BBQ spiced biltong, sour cream and chives potato chips or saucy pork ribs.

Belgian ale

The strong and dark flavour, with a subtle hint of sweet caramel and toffee, makes the Foreign Exchange Student a favourite for snack and beer rugby day.

Grab a bottle of the Foreign Exchange Student, more lovingly known as the FES, and head to the cheese tray. This dark brew smoothens the flavour of blue cheese and other strong cheeses. With a touch of pear or apricot, this mix is undeniably delicious for a quick snack between scrums.

Pilsner

The Dean, our gold star pilsner, is a refreshingly clear and crisp brew.

As you hand out this golden drink to your mates, pass around a few bags of plain salt potato chips to compliment the notes in the beer.

Guacamole is the best choice for this pilsner pairing if you love chips and dip. The smooth taste of the pilsner works well to complement the smooth texture of the guacamole.

For a meatier and more filling snack, saucy and sticky chicken wings are great game-day food options for a tasty pairing.

American pale ale

If you’re going to be chugging down more than a few beers, the light and easy-drinking APA – the Quarterback – should be your drink of choice.

Fruity and slightly bitter, our APA works well when sips are accompanied by nibbles on chilli biltong or spicy steak strips. Serve these up on a platter for guests to munch on throughout the game.

Salt and vinegar crisps are also extra tasty, balanced out with sips of this brew. Add them to your platter, and you’ve got a delicious and easy snackable treat for when things kick off.

What we eat and drink may not be more important than the actual rugby game, but not having snacks and beverages could take away the whole experience. While we socialise and watch our teams play, food and drinks enhance your guests’ spirit. Party styles will vary, but one constant is always the food bringing people together – sometimes even more so than the game itself. Your guests are looking for a fun social time, as well as a great food spread, in addition to an exciting rugby game. So get those beers cold, lay out the game-day food, put on your rugby team’s colours and start cheering!

Feeling inspired to experience beer in a whole new way? Follow us on Facebook, or like us on Instagram.

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Beer tasting can also aid you to learn more about the drink and let you get to know your favourites. But before you order a round of tasters and start chugging down the brews, it’s not only helpful to get to know the right way to do beer tasting but is interesting as well.

Adjusting your beer goggles

Maybe you are new to the world of beer drinking or perhaps you’ve never considered there may be more to each sip you take. There are some specifics that might elevate your beer drinking experience, especially when tasting.

Let’s start with the 6 things to look for in a beer tasting

Your glass matters

Ideally tasting should be done in glasses with an in-curved rim and lots of space above the liquid in the glass for the aromas to collect in. No matter the type of glass it should be no more than 1/3 full, and should also be clear so you can really see the beer.

Appearance matters, too

Our natural instinct when eating or drinking something to consider how something looks. Most beers are designed to look appealing. But how do we describe a beer’s appearance? Is it clear or hazy? Does it have a thick white head or just a wisp of foam? Colour, clarity and foam all play an important role in a beer’s appearance.

Stop and smell the beer

After drinkers have feasted their eyes on a beverage, the scent is the second sense that hits. The smell is actually where brewers can really entice you into a beer. Can you sniff scents of sweetness or floral flavours? Is there a whiff of chocolate or spice? It is important to keep in mind that temperature and the amount of time that passed since opening the bottle can influence the aroma and bouquet. Overall, the aroma is based on hops, esters, malt and aromatics — we will explain these more in detail below.

Feel all the mouthfeels

Feel, more commonly referred to as mouthfeel, describes the body, carbonation and palate sensations of the beer. Is it thick or light? Is it smooth and creamy or prickly with carbonation? Essentially, it means how the beer feels in your mouth. Factors such as fermentation can affect a beer’s mouthfeel.

The beer tasting test

Taste is probably the most obvious quality that comes to mind when you think of assessing beer. There are six types of flavours that you can distinguish when you taste beers: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami and fatty. While the flavour may be similar to the aroma, it concentrates on the beer’s finish and aftertaste as well as elements such as balance and bitterness.

Overall Impression

The experience of taste lasts long after a sip has been swallowed. This is why swallowing is an integral part of the beer tasting process. and it can also change during this time. This lingering perception is an important element in beer because this is what a beer leaves you with. Did some delicious element make it stand out in its category? On the other hand, did a bad element make it stand out? Does it leave you wanting more?

Consider the ingredients

While understanding what to look for in a beer is a great starting point, you probably aren’t going to be able to head down to your local craft brewery and pinpoint every flavour and aroma in your chosen pint. It takes time and patience to develop an educated palate. Another thing that could unlock your beer tasting experience to the full is knowing more about the ingredients in a craft beer.

Hops

Floral, fruit, piney, earthy, herby and even spicy are words that can describe the variety hops brings to craft brewing. Hops also add bitterness, which contrasts with the sweet flavours of the malt.

Yeast

It’s relatively unknown but yeast does add flavour to beer. Ale yeast, which ferments at much higher temperatures, gives off a lot more flavours than lager yeast. These include slightly fruity notes.

Water

Beer is mostly water, minerals dissolve in water, and thus it can be expected that it adds some flavour to the beverage. In the past you had to work with the water you had, however, brewers can now adjust their water to suit the style of beer that they’re brewing. If a beer of a certain style just doesn’t seem right the water used might be too hard or too soft for the style.

Others

There’re other ingredients and methods such as different grains, fruits, yeasts, oak fermentation, and barrel-ageing which are going to affect the flavours of beers and pull them away from the mainstream products we’re used to.

Now that you are familiar with what to look for in terms of the sights, smells and sensations of beer, you’ll want to be able to discuss it with your fellow enthusiasts. After all, half of the fun is unearthing an amazing beer and chatting up your discovery to your mates.

How to speak beer

How do I describe malt flavours while beer tasting?
Malty, biscuity, breadlike, grainy, rich, deep, roasty, cereal, cookie-like, coffeeish, caramelly, toffee-like, molasses-like, malt complexity, smoky, sweet, autumnal, burnt cream, scalded milk, oatmeal, rustic, layered.

How do I describe hop flavours and bitterness while beer tasting?
Piney, citrusy, grapefruity, earthy, musty, spicy, sharp, bright, fresh, herbal, zippy, lemony, newly-mown lawn, aromatic, floral, springlike, brilliant, minty, pungent, elegant, grassy.

How do I describe the fermentation flavours from yeast while beer tasting?
Freshly-baked bread, clove-like, bubblegum, yeasty, aromatic, tropical, subtle, fruity, clean

How do I describe carbonation (conditioning) while beer tasting?
Soft, effervescent, spritsy, sparkling, zippy, pinpoint, bubbly, gentle, low carbonation, highly carbonated.

How do I describe mouthfeel while beer tasting?
Rich, full, light, slick, creamy, oily, heavy, velvety, sweet, dry, thick, thin.

How do I describe alcoholic flavours from strong beer while beer tasting?
Warm finish, heat, vodka, esters, pungent, strength.

Our step-by-step tasting guide:

When judging and tasting beer, you can approach the general process in various ways. To really appreciate the beer you ordered, don’t just chug your glass. The three aspects below are a few beer tasting 101 tips that will help you get ready to try a craft beer.

1. The pour

No matter the type of beer you are drinking you want to have it in a glass. It is good to expect different glassware styles depending on the type of beer you are drinking, though — as long as there is enough room in the glass for the craft beer aroma to collect and accumulate.

2. The swirl

After noting and appreciating the appearance of your beer, it’s time to give the liquid a swirl. a gentle swirl, especially in warmer air, allows you to release all the flavours and aromas of your brew and test the head retention.

3. The smell, drink and taste

Before your first sip, take a few short sniffs or one deep sniff to experience the beer’s aroma. An environment with lots of other scents vying for your attention is not ideal for fully enjoying your beer’s scent. After the sniff, it is finally time to try your beer.

4. Drink in the right order

The order of tasting your beer is imperative to enjoying the different flavours present in your drink. Choosing beers that have bold and aromatic flavours will overpower your taste buds and make the rest of the experience boring. The best way to do so is to warm up your taste buds with light varieties that have a simple palate and soft hints of bitter or sweet flavours.

Check out our beer tasting tray

Try your hand at judging beer by ordering one of our beer tasting trays for only R85. You’ll receive 6 x 100 ml glasses of each craft beer on tap to sample what is on offer for that weekend. Be sure to pair your favourite beer with something from our Classroom Café menu. Our delicious meals and beers are prepared and crafted by our student chefs from 1000 Hills Chef School.

If you’re looking for something fun to do in the comfort of your own home, why not host your own beer tasting evening?

How to plan your own beer tasting party:

There are slight differences from other events you might host. For one, a tasting party is usually for a smaller crowd. Who you invite needs to be friends that enjoy a good brew, so that whittles down your guest list. It’s an event that naturally encourages conversation, which is perfect if you’re feeling social.

TIPS for your guest list:

• Keep your guest list small and invite no more than 10 people.
• Make sure that the guests you are inviting enjoy beer!

Choosing Beer for Your Tasting

There is so much that goes into craft beer. Here are our five types of beer we suggest including in your tasting occasion — you can find them at these stockists.

Amber Ale: The Cheerleader — A deep coppery-coloured beer with a balanced flavour of malt and hops.

India Pale Ale: The Graduate — A rich brew with hints of passion fruit and litchi, grapefruit and spicy notes.

Belgian Ale: The FES — Strong and dark with a hint of caramel and toffee.

Gold Star Pilsner: The Dean — A pilsner with an ale style that is clear, crisp and refreshing.

American Pale Ale: The Quarterback — A fruity flavour balanced by centennial hops.

Elevate with food

Take the tasting one step further and make it a pairing session of beers married with their perfect food match. For ideas on how to pair food and beer, read more here. Finger snacks and light tapas allow everyone to try a variety of food pairings. Additional snacks that always go down well when sipping on some brewskis are pretzels, nuts and potato chips.

What to remember

• Give each of your guests a notepad or paper where they can write down their thoughts on each beer they taste. A chart is also a great way to allow spaces for everybody to fill in what they are tasting, smelling and observing. Categories can include appearance, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel, finish and an overall rating of the beer.
• Chill your beer properly beforehand to allow the beers perform to the best of their abilities.
• Start with the lightest coloured beer and work your way through to finish with the beer that is darkest in colour.
• Consume all leftover beer over more snacks while enjoying your successful night.

For more information on our beers, feel free to visit 1000hillsbrewery.co.za or pop into the Classroom Café for amazing views and even more amazing meals.

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Pick a colour that speaks to you

We will start off easy — it’s like a guided beer meditation. Picture all of these colours in your mind and choose the one that you gravitate towards.

1. Orange
2. Yellow
3. Brown
4. Gold
5. White

Craft beer time: how often do you grab a beer to drink?

What does your beer-drinking schedule look like? Tell us if you’re a casual chugger, a celebration cheerser or a routine sipper.

1. Only on the weekends
2. Special occasions
3. Everyday
4. Once or twice a week
5. When watching your favourite sports games

What was your favourite school subject?

Pick out the subject that gets your brain buzzing, and your heart pumping.

1. Art
2. Math
3. Language
4. Business
5. Sport

Beer is our favourite word, but which word best describes you?

Just for a minute, think of yourself from a friend’s perspective. How would they describe you in a word?

1. Cheerful
2. Curious
3. Adventurous
4. Dedicated
5. Energetic

In your downtime, you enjoy:

When not at work, what gives you joy and sets your heart on fire?

1. Catch ups with friends over a meal
2. Reading and learning about something new
3. TravelingTravelling or planning your next vacation trip
4. Re-organising your house for the fourth time this week
5. Getting outdoors and kicking a ball around

Choose the food you crave when you’re sipping on a craft beer: 

Which of the below food mentions is getting your taste buds salivating and your stomach grumbling?

1. A crispy and garlic FocacciaFoccacia
2. Korean-style pork fillet
3. A succulent beef fillet
4. Sweet and sour cauliflower
5. A tasty vegan platter

P.S. Check out our menu for these mouthwatering meals and more. 

Choose the beer quote that speaks to your heart:

Beer is a beautiful thing. So are words. Which words do you feel confirm your craft beer relationship?

1. “Life is brewtiful.”  — unknown
2. “Fermentation may have been a greater discovery than fire.”  — David Rains Wallace
3. “Everybody needs to believe in something. I believe I’ll have another beer.”  — WC Fields
4. “Good people drink good beer.” —  Hunter S Thompson
5. “The best beers are the ones we drink with friends.” — unknown

Drum roll, please. 

Here are your results. Get to know which 1000 Hills Brewing Company craft beer you are most like.

Mostly a’s: the Cheerleader

The life of the party and the one encouraging all of the party antics, you’re most like our malty Amber Ale. Fiery and full of energy, we would most likely catch you doing somersaults in the garden on a summer day or cheering on your friend at karaoke. Always joyful and kind, you are the supportive friend we all need in life.

Shake your pom-poms and learn more about the Cheerleader.

Mostly b’s: the Graduate

You’re the intellectual, who loves a good math pun and marches to the beat of your own drum — just like our rich India Pale Ale. A little bit quirky, you’re always up to learn about the world around you. Keep the knowledge alive, academic.

We know you love a good read, so take some time to explore the facts about our fruity, yet spicy IPA, the Graduate.

Mostly c’s: the F.E.S

Hey, good-looking! You’re like our Belgian Ale: a dark brew with hints of caramel and toffee. Bewildering, and sweet in nature – your friends may be convinced you are made entirely of chocolate. You love to sing, drink and play. You’re a classic and a crowd-pleaser. Stay invigorating.

Take a look at what goes into making the F.E.S the delicious Belgian Ale it is.

Mostly d’s: the Dean 

As a great leader and decisive personality, you match this Gold Star Pilsner. Clear, crisp and to the point, you are ready to make all of the important decisions. We can imagine you as a pillar of advice and a great motivational speaker. You have big opinions and have no problem sharing what you think. Salute to you.

Make a great decision now and have a peek at the Dean, crafted to perfection in our brewery.

Mostly e’s: the Quarterback

Loved by the crowds, you are the friendly neighbourhood hero, the American Pale Ale. You are the guy or girl everyone wants to be friends with, high-five and cheer on. Light and refreshing, you’re the easy-going individual that no one can resist inviting to the braai. Way to be the life of the party!

Want to read more about the Quarterback? Get reading.

Well done for completing our craft beer quiz and discovering your inner beer characteristics. Now the hard part is over and it’s time to get drinking. Come and visit us at the Classroom Café. Our brewers can’t wait to get you tasting their expertly crafted creations.

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You could say beer pouring is a science and an art

The right beer pouring technique

Did you know there is a special technique for pouring beer? Here’s how you should pour your favourite brewski so it presents perfectly:

Step 1. Tilt

Tip your beer glass at a 45-degree angle. 

Step 2. Pour

Pour your beer slowly, making sure the stream flows down the side of the glass.

Step 3. Straighten

When the glass is half full, straighten it and pour the rest of the beer into the centre to create a head.

Step 4. Sip

Take a sip and enjoy your perfect brew!

Beer glasses

Not only is there a beer pouring technique for great presentation, but there’s a special glass for each type of beer too to further perfect the ex-beer-ience, both aesthetically and practically.

1. Pint glass for Amber Ale

A pint glass is wider at the mouth than at the base and is a common choice of glass for many beer types, including the Amber Ale. (Taste our flavourful Amber Ale, the Cheerleader.) The benefit of the pint glass is that it neither enhances nor detracts from a beer style, so you can consider it a jack-of-all-trades kind of beer glass.

2. Mug for APA

The classic beer mug featuring a handle is generally used for pale ales, like our APA the Quarterback. Unlike other beer glasses, beer mugs tend to have thick glass walls, giving them extra durability and insulation. More insulation means your brew can be kept cooler for longer – which is always a bonus when drinking a refreshing, lighter-bodied beer.

3. Snifter for IPA

A great glass for aromatic beers, the snifter is designed with a wide middle to open the beer up and release its spicy and sweet smells. We like this style of glass for our IPA, the Graduate, as it accentuates its notes of passion fruit, litchi and grapefruit.

4. Flared Pilsner glass for Pilsner (duh!)

The flared Pilsner glass is tall and thin with a slightly flared mouth, and is shaped to enhance the sparkle, clarity and bubbles of its namesake beer – while maintaining a signature head of foam. Have you tried our golden Pilsner, the Dean? This brew is the authority on all things beer.

5. Chalice glass for Belgian Ale

The hallmark features of the chalice beer glass are its bulbous body and flared mouth, giving it a dramatic appearance. Its wide mouth helps diffuse strong aromas and bold hoppy notes, typical of Belgian Ales like the FES. This brew is strong and dark with hints of caramel and toffee, and is bittered with Perle & Fuggles hops. Learn more about our famous brew crew.

Are you pouring beer the right way? And into the right glass?

Beer pouring is an important part of the beer-drinking process. Without the right pour and the right glass, you might as well be drinking cider! (Wink wink.) Get acquainted with the cool kids on the block at 1000 Hills Brewery.

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5 reasons to drink local craft beers from 1000 Hills Brewery:

1. There’s a style for everyone

If you’re an IPA fan, we’ve got you. If you prefer a heavy Belgian Ale, we’ve got you too. In fact, we’ve got a craft brew for every beer-lover out there. Our brewers know that variety is important when it comes to craft beer. After all, without options, how would we find our favourite beer style? Hang out with the coolest kids on the block to find your new best brew.

2. We bring flavour for days

Caramel notes, fruity undertones, bursts of bitterness. Whatever your flavour preference, there’s a craft beer to match it at 1000 Hills Brewery. Unlike mass-produced beers, our local craft beers offer something special – rich, distinctive taste. The sort that comes when beer is brewed by passionate pros who hand-pick quality ingredients. If you appreciate the finer beers in life, you will taste the difference and see why craft is king!

3. There’s much to learn, and we can teach you

All the time and energy that goes into ingredient sourcing, flavour development, and specialised brewing techniques means your favourite craft beer is really a hand-crafted masterpiece. One that is expertly prepared by local artisans who stake their livelihoods on it. Just think, a beer made with this amount of care and consideration must be worth its weight in liquid gold – and the craft brewers – certainly worthy of their stripes in the industry. Visit our own-campus brewery to try our beer tasting tray, or simply read the back of your bottle for the lowdown on that style.

4. Our brews pair well with food

The various flavour profiles of our local craft beers makes them excellent to pair with food. For example, the FES Belgian Ale goes well with steak, and the Dean Pilsner works its magic with fish. Explore our Heritage Day blog post for examples of braai food and craft beer pairings.

5. There’s a story behind every brew

If you know 1000 Hills Brewery, you’ll know each and every one of our beers has a story. A tale, really, explaining where the beer came from and what it’s about. Take the Graduate, for example. He’s a fun guy. Sure, he spends most of his time reading books and boosting his grades, but once you get to know him, you can appreciate his quirkiness and witty sense of humour. You see, when a unique brew like the Graduate has a unique backstory, drinking it is more of an adventure – a memorable moment shared with a friend.

Which of our local craft beers will you try this year?

Hopefully, you’ll sample the entire brew crew! (Every one of our local craft beers is a gem, so why not?) Visit 1000 Hills Chef School at 2 Wootton Avenue, Bothas Hill, KZN for some beer tasters.

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The story behind sangria

Traditional sangria recipes are rooted in wine and Spanish history. After the Spanish were invaded by the Romans, they began planting grapes to trade with them. Drinks with alcohol became a preference as the water was likely contaminated with bacteria. Over time, fruit and spices were added — and the Spanish red wine punch was born.

And as we like to get crafty with all things, like craft beer cocktails, we’ve had a crack at curating some choice thirst quenchers.

9 steps to creating fun sangria recipes

1. Essentials

Find your container — use either a punch bowl or a large pitcher.

2. Beer base

Typically, traditional sangria recipes call for either red or white wines. Here you will need to decide on either lager or ales. To brush up on the difference between the two, explore our guide on craft beer. Ales come with spicy, fruity and floral flavours, whereas lagers have more of a cleaner, crisper and rounder taste.

3. Fruit

Once you have chosen your craft beer base, you can move on to deciding on the best fruit pairing. Think melons, apples, grapes, citrus or berries.

4. Liquor

To give the concoction a zing, add your complementing liquor. Add ¼ – ½ cup triple sec and then either ¼ – ½ cup brandy or rum.

5. Juice

Next, add a fruity juice base with ¼ – ½ cup of either orange, pomegranate or lemon juice.

6. Mixers

For extra flavour, add about ½ – 2 cups of your preferred mixer. You can try anything from citrusy notes of a lemon-lime soda or frozen lemonade, to tea or ginger ale, still or sparkling water.

7. Sweeten

If you’re a beer lover with a sweet tooth, you can add more sweetness using either sugar or natural sources of sweetness like agave or honey. (When adding these, be sure to refrigerate your mixture overnight before serving).

8. Chill

Before pouring, prep glasses by filling them halfway with ice and then add your sangria mixture.

9. Garnish

Define your signature sangria with the right garnish, for presentation and flavour. Get herbal with basil, mint or rosemary, add a zing with jalapeños, spice with cinnamon, or even a bold flavour with garlic. Serve immediately — cheers!

3 Sangria recipes we’re raving about

Now that you know the basics of building sangria, it’s time to get out your chopping boards. Ready your favourite fruits and craft beers to stir up these crowd-pleasers. Before beginning, be sure to wash all fruit thoroughly.

Citrus sangria chiller

For a fabulous fruity pick, The Graduate is top of the class. With hints of passion fruit, litchi grapefruit and spices, this recipe is a sure summer sangria winner.

Ingredients

• 1 large grapefruit (thinly sliced)
• 1 large orange (thinly sliced)
• 1 large lemon (thinly sliced)
• 1 large lime (thinly sliced)
• 1 ½ cups pineapple juice
• 1 cup vodka
• 3 bottles of The Graduate

Method

1. Combine sliced fruit, pineapple juice and vodka in a medium-sized container. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is recommended).
2. Before serving, combine The Graduate with the fruit mixture in a large pitcher.
3. Serve over ice and enjoy!

Berry nice sangria

Hosting a braai or having sneaky sundowners? Score a touchdown with guests with this berry beer sangria featuring The Quarterback. Its light and fruity stance is a great base to use for this fruity flavoured drink.

Ingredients

• 3 cups fresh strawberries (cut in half)
• 1 cup fresh raspberries (optional)
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 1 lime (sliced)
• 1 orange (sliced)
• 1 cup vodka
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 bottle of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale (chilled)
• 6 bottles of The Quarterback (chilled)

Method

1. First, stir the fruit, sugar and vodka together in a larger pitcher. 
2. Then, pour in the lemon-lime soda. 
3. Slowly pour in The Quarterback.
4. Stir well and serve your berry beer over ice, in a chilled glass with fruit garnish.

Before making this sangria, chill all your ingredients. However, avoid freezing raspberries as they crumble. To make ahead of your event kickoff, add the vodka and fruit to a medium size container, cover and chill for up to one day. Then, add the remaining ingredients when serving.

Cider sangria (for autumn and winter)

While this hot weather favourite is perfect for the spring and summer months, it’s also a hit in autumn and winter! Enjoy this seasonal twist with a Gold Star Pilsner like The Dean. Curl up by the fire, pull out a book and dive into this wisened whistle-wetter.

Ingredients

• 2 cold bottles of hard cider (try using apple flavours)
• 1 cold bottle of The Dean
• 1 ½ cold cups apple cider
• 1 cup cold ginger ale (or ginger beer for a bite)
• ½ cup apple brandy
• 2 apples (sliced)
• 2 pears (sliced)
• 2 oranges (sliced)
• A handful of cinnamon sticks
• Cinnamon sugar (for the rim)

Method

1. Add fruit and cinnamon sticks to the bottom of a large pitcher.
2. Add the hard cider, The Dean, apple cider, ginger ale and brandy together. Stir gently.
3. Rim the edge of a glass with an orange wedge. Then, dip in the cinnamon sugar.
4. Pour the sangria over extra fruit and ice. As this mix is carbonated and fizzy, enjoy it immediately and don’t let it sit overnight.

Taste your sangria before serving — the sweetness level will depend on the beer and cider you use. To add sweetness, stir in maple syrup.

Standing ovation for sangria

Whether you decide to try one of these summery or wintry sangria recipes, we wish you a delicious experience. For more craft beer ideas, explore our craft beers and find them to try at home.

The post Sangria recipes: putting a craft beer twist on a classic drink appeared first on 1000 Hills Brewing Co..

Celebrate Braai Day with these tasty beer and food pairings:

1. Steak and Belgian Ale

When savouring a prime piece of steak, the Foreign Exchange Student (FES) is a worthy drink partner. If you want to chow some lekker sirloin, ribeye or fillet this Heritage Day, crack one of these boys open to enjoy with your feast. The full-bodied Belgian Ale’s dark-malt profile, hints of sweet fruitiness, caramel undertones, and mild bitterness from Perle & Fuggles hops will balance the flavours of the steak perfectly. And if you want to add some extra flavour to your meat, you can also add it to your basting sauce for a sweet and savoury treat.

2. Fish and Pilsner

This one’s for the Pilsner fans out there! Pilsner is a dryer beer, helping cut through the buttery flavours of fish. So if you’re a fish-lover or pescetarian, you’ll find the Dean to be a refreshing and crisp accompaniment to your braaied fish meal. Prawns, line fish – you name it.  And if you want to expand your Braai Day feast to include fried fish too, the Dean works a charm for beer-battered hake. Bonus!

3. Pork and India Pale Ale – The Graduate

A medium-heavy protein, pork is bold in flavour and high in fat. With hints of passion fruit and litchi and a kick of spice, the Graduate’s full floral flavour profile pairs well with pork, adding to its richness. The strong presence of hops also balances the fattiness of the meat. Pair the Graduate with pork ribs, sausages, and chops for a Heritage Day meal to remember.

4. Vegetables and American Pale Ale – The Quarterback

When eating a light vegetable meal, no beer goes down as well as the Quarterback American Pale Ale. Fruity and bittered with Centennial hops, the Quarterback’s bright flavour notes cleanse the palate, making braai salads taste even more refreshing. Crack open a bottle during the starter course for a winning lead up to your Heritage Day feast. And if you’re a vegetarian, you can stick with it for your main course too. That’s a win-win in our books.

Stock up on the beers you need for a big Braai Day feast

Want to celebrate your South African heritage with delicious braai food and complementary craft beers, brewed locally? Pick up your favourite brewskis from 1000 Hills Brewery or nearby stockists, and serve ice-cold for a memorable and (and mouthwatering) Braai Day feast.

The post 4 Beer and food pairings for Braai Day appeared first on 1000 Hills Brewing Co..

Get craft(y) in the kitchen

Adding beer to our baking bowls is another exploration we’re adding to our ale fueled adventures. We love tapping into our inner mixologist with our guide to beer cocktails. And if you are more into savoury scrumptiousness, head on over to our beer cookbook ideas. To make the whole dining experience complete, put some mead in your knead for special days with these ‘ale’some baking recipes.

Brew crew rules

To start on your quest for boozy baking, there are a few ground rules to keep your creations fresh and flavourful.

Understanding Ales and Lagers

When choosing your baking beverage, it’s key to know your chosen recipe’s base flavour and what will pair and substitute well. Beers separate into two main groups: ales and lagers.

Lagers are cold fermented and typically have a crisp, light and dry sensation. Ales, however, ferment at warmer temperatures and tend to be a heavier, more complex set of flavours. Of these, individual craft beers have unique palettes and notes.

Porters present chocolatey, malted flavours and less bitter than most beer groups. On the other hand, stouts have a distinct bitter coffee flavour, have a higher alcohol level and reduces well in caramels with cream.

As for paler ales (like lagers and witbiers), they do well in cakes with similar palettes like citrus. India Pale Ales (IPA’s) lean more towards a hoppy, bitter flavour which intensifies during cooking. We suggest avoiding them in baking — but just to throw a wildcard into the mix, we have one recipe exception we could not leave out.

Treat ‘tip’ples

When making your beer-filled delights, there are expert tricks to keep in mind.

• Make sure to only use freshly opened room temperature beers — pour and let them sit for about five minutes.
• When baking try to stick with full-fat beer as beer’s acidity curdles with low-fat dairy.
• Serve and enjoy your dessert on the same day, as the flavour of your dish will change with time.

Recipes

Ginger Molasses Amber Ale cookies (with ice cream)

When we think of an Amber Ale, like The Cheerleader, we can’t help but picture the spirited, sweet caramelised toffee notes. These flavours cartwheel over into crisp-on-the-outside and chewy-on-the-inside cookies. And reason we love this recipe from King Arthur baking? Amber Ale reduces to a concentrated liquid which balances perfectly with a pleasantly spicy high kick of ginger. We’ll shimmy our pom-poms to that.

Ingredients:

• The Cheerleader (one bottle)
• 16 tablespoons (227g) unsalted butter, cold
• ¼ cup (85g) molasses
• 2 ¾ cups (546g) sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 teaspoons ginger powder
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups (361g) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup (113g) golden raisins (lightly packed)
• ½ cup (92g) finely diced crystallized ginger

Method:

1. Bring The Cheerleader to a simmer in a saucepan set over medium heat, stirring occasionally to avoid foaming over the sides — reduce the heat if necessary.
2. Set The Cheerleader to a low boil, stir it often for about 15 minutes until it thickens and reduces to 3 tablespoons. Set pan aside to cool.
3. In another medium saucepan set over low heat, heat the butter, molasses, 2 ¼ cups of sugar, and salt. Stir often for about 10 minutes until the butter melts, and the sugar and salt dissolve. Remove from heat.
4. Next, stir in spices and The Cheerleader reduction. Cool for about 10 minutes.
5. Whisk the flour and baking soda together in a large mixing bowl, slowly pouring in the liquid ingredients.
6. Add the egg and mix until well blended to create a thick batter. Stir in the raisins and ginger.
7. Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1 hour until firm.
8. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line two baking sheets with parchment and pour ½ cup sugar into a small bowl.
9. Scoop the dough with a tablespoon and mould into balls. Roll the dough balls in the sugar to coat, and then on to baking sheets, leaving a 5cm gap in between.
10. Bake for 14 minutes. When the edges just begin to brown, remove them from the oven.
11. Rest the cookies for 5 minutes on the pan before transferring them on a rack to cool and crispen.
12. Store your Cheerleader cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 10 days or freeze for longer storage. Enjoy with ice cream or hot chocolate.

IPA Lemon Bars

Uncapping the right India Pale Ale feels like throwing a cap at graduation. Celebrate a sweet, fruity victory with The Graduate to ace these delicious lemon bars. They showcase a great crust with a touch of flakey crispness, cleverly pairing lemon with this IPA. Tap into this baking experience from The Beeroness to create about 10 to 12 blissful bars.

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 1 cup flour
• ⅓ cup powdered sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Pinch of salt

Filling:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 tablespoons corn starch
• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ cup The Graduate
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Method:

1. Mix flour, powdered sugar, butter and salt until well combined.
2. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 20cm x 20cm pan (you can double the recipe for bigger tray sizes). Chill for 15 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 180°C.
4. Bake at 180°C for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes.
5. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, flour and corn starch together. Then, add in lemon juice, The Graduate and stir until combined. Pour the filling over the cooled crust.
6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the centre is set. Cool and then place in the refrigerator to chill for 2 to 3 hours. Cut and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Candied Bacon

For those who like a twist to their treats, we tip our berets to this sugary meaty match made in bacon lovers heaven. Try this recipe from Tide and Thyme using our Belgian ale, The Foreign Exchange Student (FES). Traditionally made with stout, we swopped up the itinerary and packed in this strong dark brew with its hints of caramel and toffee. Think appetisers or the perfect addition to an after-dinner cheese board.

Ingredients:

• ½ kg thick-cut, high-quality bacon
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon beer (use a stout, or, The FES)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Combine brown sugar and The FES in a small bowl, whisking well to form a thin syrup, and then set aside.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminium foil and then place a wire cooling rack on top. Place pieces of bacon on top of the rack, slide into the oven and cook for 10 minutes.
3. Remove from oven and brush one side of the bacon with The FES beer syrup. Flip and coat the other side. Return to oven and cook for a further 10 minutes.
4. Repeat the process another two times, using all the glaze and ensuring the bacon is crisp and brown.
5. Cool on wire rack for at least 1 hour before serving.

Salut to sweet treats and tipples

May you satisfy your sweet tooth and clink your beers to another project well done. To discover other ideas like these baking recipes using craft beer, explore our blog.

The post Baking recipes with beer: brewsserts for Mother’s Day and beyond appeared first on 1000 Hills Brewing Co..

Time to get creative and crafty

When commencing your adventures into the world of beer cocktails, be sure to brush up on your understanding of all the craft beer styles. For a great guide, explore the types of craft beer available. Once you are familiar with Amber Ales, Belgian Ales, India Pale Ales, American Pale Ales, and Pilsners, you can start matching these beers to your tastes and mix away to your heart’s content.

Let these ideas brew

While there is an art to craft beer, there is also a trick to mixology with beers. Think you have what it takes to give your St. Patrick’s Day a pinch and pour of luck? Try your hand at these mixes and you may discover you have a newfound talent!

General rules of beer cocktails

When you are matching beers with complementary flavours, look to pair the strongest characteristic or flavours present. You will want to make your drink mostly beer-based, with other mixes or juices thrown in. Beer also serves well as a replacement for most cocktail ingredients, just be sure to match the palates accordingly.

When you are creating your cocktails, mix or shake all the base spirits and juices together first, then add your beer of choice. You don’t want to make the mistake of shaking a carbonated drink with beer!  

If you are thinking of prepping your drinks cabinet for the long-run, consider making syrup. A syrup is a great way to add flavour to any cocktail by preserving taste in concentrated form. Typically, they get made by dissolving sweet substances like sugar or honey — and now you can with beer! Some great examples to use include fruity ales, tarter tones and flavourful stouts.

Beer cocktails and the best pairing ideas

Lagers

These beers are quite neutral in flavour compared to other beers, deemed a safer option for those experimenting for the first time. They add just enough of a tingle and taste to enhance any cocktail.

Shandies

A shandy is a blended drink, with an equal parts ratio. Just mix equal measures of any citrus juice, soda, cloudy lemonade, or orange-based drink, perfect for a bit of summer zest in every sip.

IPA

If you have an IPA which is quite hoppy, look for the hints of citrus, herbal, floral or bitterness. A citrusy IPA sips nicely with a lemon or an orange-tinged spirit, whereas a herbal beer blooms on your palate with a botanical gin.

Hazy wheat beers

These beers range in aromatic palates. Think traces of bitter, herbs, lemon and even smoky sensations. Lager based cocktails would mix the same as IPA, so think of adding dashes of summery tangs.

Dark stouts

These tall, dark and handsome types love to mingle with suggestions of roasted and touches of toasted flavours. Pair with deep coffee or chocolate liqueurs or syrups.

Creative

Last but not least, for those wanting the unexpected with their creative crafty cocktails — try a beer float. Scoop some vanilla ice cream into a glass and pour a chocolate stout over to make an adult boozy float. You can even use a straw to enjoy this drink, one savoured sip at a time.

Make magic with the 1000 Hills Brewery brew crew

• The Cheerleader – This Amber Ale has a malty constituency and toffee taste, made with Amarillo Gold and Willamette. Try mixing in with pineapple and yellow chartreuse. 
  • Gridiron Punch: Mix 2 ¼ cups of pineapple juice, with ¾ cup of yellow chartreuse and pour in 6 bottles of the Cheerleader. You’ll be a huge fan of this crowd-pleaser, punching your pom-poms high and proud!

• The Quarterback – this fresh American Pale Ale is a clear and crisp beer with fruity tones, made with Cascade hops. Usually a competitive character, this beer pairs well with an opposing flavour.
  • Black and Tan: Pour one bottle of The Quarterback into a beer glass and then take a spoon, and slowly pour a bottle of porter or stout evenly over the American Pale Ale. The result? A touchdown of two worthy opponents turned team players.

• The Graduate – An India Pale Ale with a fruity palate, it melds flavours of passion fruit, litchi, grapefruit, a hint of spice and local whole flower Southern Passion hops. This clever cold one makes for a perfect stormy shandy. 
  • Stormy IPA: Take two tall glasses, put in 3 – 4 ice cubes in each and then evenly divide a 12 oz. bottle of ginger beer between the two glasses. Then, halve a bottle of The Graduate between the two glasses. In a separate container, pour in 3 oz. of dark rum and the juice of half a lime and shake to chill the contents (4-5 times should be enough). Pour into the two glasses and stir, adding a slice or wedge of lime on the glass. A refreshing drink so clever, you’ll want to throw your cap in jubilation.

• The Dean – A reigning Gold Star Pilsner with aromatic hops like Perle, Cascade and Goldings. To give this head honcho the mix it deserves, it needs a worthy citrusy top note./
  • Radler: Mix a bottle of The Dean with 6 oz. of lemon soda. The perfect pairing of high expectations and easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy? We think so too.

• The FES (Foreign Exchange Student) – This Belgian Ale is a strong dark blended brew of toffee and caramel, featuring Perle and Fuggs hops is sure to whisk your senses away on a whirlwind taste adventure. The sweet tones serve as a dessert beer and pairs with a sweet soirée of ingredients.
  • Belgian 75: For this masterful mix, you are taking a classic French 75 which would usually have champagne and mix in a Belgian Ale like The FES instead. Take a cocktail shaker, fill with ice, an ounce of gin, ½ an ounce of fresh lemon juice, an ½ ounce of simple syrup and shake. Then, strain into a stemmed beer glass, topping off with The FES and garnish with a lemon twist. And voila! A divine drink, if we do say so ourselves.

• The Rebel – This flavour of the month is here to throw you a surprise. Whether this free spirit is feeling a pale ale, amber ale, blonde ale or a bit of Belgian, you will need to take a sip and see for yourself what this wildcard will dance best with.

Have a swig for an Irish jig

May your St. Patrick’s Day have all the luck creating and sharing your craft beer cocktails with your loved ones. For information on where you can find our locally crafted beer, explore our local stockists.

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A history in hops (and happiness)

Beer production lends itself to many milestones in human history. Aside from being a coveted beverage of many, it links to the development of civilization, currency, health and nutrition, and even intertwined with religious ties. If you don’t believe us, read up on the health benefits of beer. You can thank us later.

The beginning

There are many findings to suggest that the discovery of beer populated many places over. Evidence traces beer back to grain harvesting of cereals to as early as 10,000 B.C. During this time, nomadic civilizations slowly developed into agrarian societies, settling and domesticating lands and lifestyles. Along with this, more grains like wheat, rice, barley and maize came to light, as well as their ability to ferment. Developing and refining this process in turn simultaneously assisted with new agricultural practices and technologies (oh, the wonder of beer).

Beer as a drink and deity

Beverages of an alcoholic nature, however, link back to two different societies. In China, about 9,000 years ago, an alcoholic drink documented to contain rice, honey and fruit possibly found its way from middle eastern origins. Actual beer production is most likely claimed by Sumerians in 1800 B.C. from ancient Mesopotamia, or current day southern Iraq. Beer was so important to their society, they even had a goddess of beer, Ninkasi. Not only were recipes a part of oral rituals, but beer featured as a nutrient-rich drink (and most likely safer for consumption than animal-tainted waterways.

Rations and rewards

Beer features later again in Egyptian civilization, but as currency. Those working alongside the Nile river received payment in drinks rations. Then, beer was more than a recreational beverage, but a nutritious drink that children, peasants and the almighty pharaohs consumed on a daily basis. Not to put it lightly, but beer very well may just be the foundation of the great pyramids.

Beer reappears again in religious practice again in the sixth century CE. Though monks lived lives devoted to God and goodwill, they too partook in beer production. History may have deemed this time the Middle Ages, but for beer, it was the dawn of a new era. Living in remote monasteries and required to live off of their own work, Christian monks discovered the benefits of hops as a preservative. Years later, these breweries still operate and celebrate their monastic beginnings and refined processes.

Present production 

Many centuries later, beer remains enjoyed all over the world. Whether in larger commercial companies or smaller businesses, beer production is constantly going through innovation and reimagining of flavours, ingredients and techniques. Especially for the brewers in the craft beer industry, it is an ever-evolving practice which in turn developed its own culture.

Tour in time and your tastebuds

We hope you enjoyed brushing up on your beer production knowledge. To extend your lesson (and get extra credit) visit us for a craft beer lesson and tour. For information on the 1000 Hills Brewing Company, contact us.

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