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.
What does your beer-drinking schedule look like? Tell us if you’re a casual chugger, a celebration cheerser or a routine sipper.
Pick out the subject that gets your brain buzzing, and your heart pumping.
Just for a minute, think of yourself from a friend’s perspective. How would they describe you in a word?
When not at work, what gives you joy and sets your heart on fire?
Which of the below food mentions is getting your taste buds salivating and your stomach grumbling?
P.S. Check out our menu for these mouthwatering meals and more.
Beer is a beautiful thing. So are words. Which words do you feel confirm your craft beer relationship?
Here are your results. Get to know which 1000 Hills Brewing Company craft beer you are most like.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you’re an experienced beer drinker, odds are by now you already know what you like to drink. Even in the craft side of things. But the question is, are you making the most of your beer drinking experience? Essentially, two factors can change the way you drink your beer. And these factors are your beer pouring style and your choice of beer glass. Both of which can be corrected so you can enjoy the most magnificent brew of your life. Ready to get pouring? Then let’s find out more. (Explore our range of craft beers.)
Did you know there is a special technique for pouring beer? Here’s how you should pour your favourite brewski so it presents perfectly:
Tip your beer glass at a 45-degree angle.
Pour your beer slowly, making sure the stream flows down the side of the glass.
When the glass is half full, straighten it and pour the rest of the beer into the centre to create a head.
Take a sip and enjoy your perfect brew!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Happy New Year, everyone! We hope you’re embracing the fresh start with a new lease on life. (And a newfound love of local craft beers, perhaps?) We’ve got a unique range of refreshing brewskis for you to take into 2022 and beyond – from the crisp, clear Dean pilsner to the light and fruity Quarterback APA. Once you’ve become acquainted with our famous brew crew, trust us, you’ll be buddies for life. So if your New Year’s resolution is to drink more craft beer, keep reading to discover five reasons why you should.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sure — you’ve had wine. You’ve tried craft beer. And even sampled a cocktail. But, have you experienced sangria featuring beer? That’s right. We’ve challenged the boundaries of craft beer yet again with these tantalizing sangria recipes. Get ready to shake things up in time for a whole new alcoholic adventure.
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.
Find your container — use either a punch bowl or a large pitcher.
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.
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.
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.
Next, add a fruity juice base with ¼ – ½ cup of either orange, pomegranate or lemon juice.
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.
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).
Before pouring, prep glasses by filling them halfway with ice and then add your sangria mixture.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Taste your sangria before serving — the sweetness level will depend on the beer and cider you use. To add sweetness, stir in maple syrup.
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.
It’s Heritage Month. A time to celebrate our country’s rich cultures. A time to show appreciation for your family roots. And a time to – you guessed it – feast, feast, feast. With Heritage Day coming up on 24 September, why not get experimenting with lekker beer and braai food combos? We’ve outlined four satisfying slap-up meals for your Braai Day celebration. So go on, start sampling! (Get acquainted with the brew crew.)
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 world of beer is an exciting one. Just when you think you’ve tried it all, there’s a new flavour, an innovative brewing technique and exciting recipes using beer! At the 1000 Hills Brewing Company, we love pioneering fresh ideas combining the love of beer, food and fun. We’re bottled up with excitement to share great baking recipes to create mouth-watering brewsserts. Roll up your sleeves, crack a cold one and get ready to serve up some sweet treats.
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.
To start on your quest for boozy baking, there are a few ground rules to keep your creations fresh and flavourful.
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.
When making your beer-filled delights, there are expert tricks to keep in mind.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘Tis the season to start planning holiday menus that wow your family and friends. And, for the beer connoisseurs out there, now is the perfect time to shake things up with a crafty twist. Challenge everything you think you know about beer and try these Christmas lunch ideas to indulge your guests – and tastebuds.
Infusing dishes with the flavours of craft beer is nothing short of an adventure. To start you off, we bottled up a Father’s Day cookbook and a cooking with beer guide. But, with Santa on his way, we thought we would help you level up your Christmas lunch ideas. Are you ready? Leave your inhibitions behind, take out your supplies and let’s put ‘hops’ into your holiday lunch prep.
When it comes to holiday celebrations, no one pitches up just for the meal – they’re in it for the long game. That means snacks, snacks and more snacks. After all, the food is one of the highlights of a festive get-together. Right? Everyone comes prepared to fill their bellies to the brim. Luckily, for the craft lovers looking for beer-infused appetisers, whipping up a quick dip with your favourite 1000 Hills ale is a pretty simple affair. Paired with fresh veggies, artisanal bread, chips – you can’t go wrong.
Prawn cocktail is so seventies. It’s time to re-imagine your first dish, and give it a modern twist. And, as Christmas lunch ideas go, a sharing platter to start is right up there on the must-have list. It’s fun, interactive and a great way to bring all your guests together. The best part is you can keep your beer-theme alive by including a selection of beer-battered nibbles. Fish, prawns, onion rings, zucchini, your options are limitless. Our pilsner-style craft, The Dean, is the ideal choice for a light, airy batter.
Everyone loves a good old roasted bird sitting at the centre of their festive feast. And who could blame them? Crispy skin, guilt-free lean meat, and a flavoursome stuffing – we’re salivating at the thought. The key to cooking the perfect Christmas turkey is all in the basting. This year, your basting is all about the beer. It’s as easy as melting a stick of butter, stirring in a bottle of The Graduate, pouring it over your bird and basting every 20 minutes while roasting. (Keep a second bottle of our delicious India Pale Ale handy to add halfway through.)
Last, but not least, the cherry on top of your craft beer inspired holiday lunch is dessert. Here, you can let your imagination run wild. As long as you have a few bottles of our caramelly Belgian ale (The FES) on hand, you’ll be able to throw together a decadent finishing act. From rich brownies to gooey chocolate cake, there are plenty of desserts calling for a craft beer addition.
We hope you enjoy preparing and creating your special holiday gathering with these craft beer inspired Christmas lunch ideas. If you’re needing to stock up before your guests arrive, visit one of our local stockists.
Ah, the quest to quench your thirst. For many, understanding what makes an ideal craft beer is ever sought. There are many factors, and sometimes even biases to beer. But, we’re here to tap into the world of brewing and help you understand what makes the best craft beer.
From newbies to connoisseurs, craft beer holds a certain mystique — if not an insider culture — not everyone feels privy to. To first understand how to approach conceptualising the best craft beer, we explain the importance of ingredients, as well as the differences between macro and craft beer. Once these basic concepts are tucked into your beer boffin belt, the concept of what makes a good craft is easy to understand. The next step to understanding the breakdown of beer: the families and flavours. Between the two main brew families, ales and lagers, there is a spectrum of subtle differences that develop signature styles and sensations. Both range from being pale in colour to rich, dark hues, due to the individual malts chosen and used.
With a range of spicy, fruity and floral flavours, ales are a popular choice among many. This variety of beer is produced by top-fermenting yeast, developed in warmer temperatures about 15 to 25 degrees Celsius
This end of the spectrum uses bottom-fermenting yeasts, in colder conditions — about 9 to 15 degrees Celsius — for longer. Lagers typically have a cleaner, crisper and rounder taste than ales.
To see what 1000 Hill Brewery Company has to offer alongside Clockwork Brewhouse and Doctrine Brewery, check out the wide range of flavour options.
The best way to summarise the key points of a beer? Sniff, stare, sip, swish, savour, and swallow. From colour to flavour, body and mouthfeel, there are so many elements to appreciate. When done correctly, drinking a cold craft is an experience. Explore how to judge your next brew like a professional in our quick guide to craft beer tasting.
Microbreweries are built around two main things: the process and the product. While the actual drink itself is the prize, it’s the culture and the creative process that becomes a story and, ultimately, an experience.
Craft brewers centre their final product through channelling the importance of the process, as well as adding new elements. Whether it’s experimenting with traditional techniques, trying new ingredients to create a new flavour palette, or brewing to pair with food, each batch is a journey. Brewers work to develop, discuss and merge ideas, using the brewing process as a way to fully explore the full potential of their craft.
Brewers want to ensure the culture of craft beer is understood and appreciated, as well as enjoyed. From development to drinking, the beer process carries the heart and soul of the beer in the taste, experience of the product and knowledge of the process. Just visit a brewery or explore a craft market, you are sure to find a beer aficionado ready to bond over brew. As craft brewers focus on establishing a better product through shared knowledge and experience, the next important step to deciding the best craft beer: authentic ingredients to the region.
Craft brewers define their unique flavour by encapsulating their brews with local flavours. Everything from the deciding which hops to use (avoiding cheap substitutions like rice or corn) to sourcing the local water (the pH balance and minerals are important here). Craft beer is based on being authentic with the ingredients, stories and experience for both the producer and consumer. We only source the best ingredients for our beers and are always on the lookout for fantastic local ingredients.
The answer to this question? It all comes down to personal preference. Come and visit us to decide which elements make the best craft beer for you. Contact us to book a brewery tour and beer tasting, available Friday to Sunday by appointment. We’ll happily share our knowledge over a crafty pint.
It’s official! We’ve got some new roomies. After secret plots and unforeseen delays, Pietermaritzburg-based companies Clockwork Brewhouse and Doctrine Brewing have joined us. Three local brands working out of one craft beer brewery — it’s a dream come true. With Clockwork’s Euro-trip inspired selection and Doctrine’s bespoke flavours featuring alongside our tasty class of brews — The Graduate, The FES, The Dean, The Quarterback, The Cheerleader and The Rebel — there’s no better place to spend your weekends.
Established in 2014, Clockhouse Brewhouse bases its belief that beer should be an experience, not just a beverage. To make this vision possible, the company forges its identity through focusing on the love of brewing. They experiment with new approaches and styles to continue the quest for quality over quantity. Owner/Brewer Megan Gemmell will be bringing in five more names to the tap room.
We are doubly delighted with this partnership as Megan will not only serve as a resident brewer, but a lecturer! She will be teaching our advanced program students their beer and brewing course. We are quite proud that we are the only culinary school in South Africa that integrates brewing into our unique curriculum. We are sure her presence will be most beneficial to our students (and our taste buds).
Doctrine Brewing prides itself on showcasing under-represented styles and flavours. Owner/Brewer Dion van Huyssteen operates Doctrine Brewing while searching for interesting combinations. As such, they enjoy producing both high and low alcohol beer with novel flavour profiles to create a unique taste experience. Their trademark taste centres on the belief that quality ingredients are non-negotiable. The doctrine they live by? “If you try to please everyone, you’ll end up exciting no one”. We praise you marching to the beat of your own (beer) drum.
Doctrine Brewing brings along their four masterfully crafted and aptly-named beers to our tap room.
While the new companies add to our exciting tasting trifecta, they will remain autonomous in keeping their own identity. These joint forces will mean even more exciting beers and experiences on the horizon for all our beer beginners and boffins. Together, the three breweries will share our new equipment and tap room. This will be the first time for both bottle-based breweries to have a tap room to showcase their beers. And we couldn’t be happier to share our heart and home with these crafty creatives.
We look forward to welcoming and hosting you alongside our new brewers in arms. Come and visit us with our revamped tap room brimming with new experiences and memories. Cheers to that!
Our restaurant and craft beer brewery are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30AM to 4PM. For bookings, hop over to our contact page.
Father’s Day is coming up soon. Have you given thought to what you want to give your dad? Perhaps you’d like to create something special for him that combines his love of tasty food and craft beer? Yes, you’ve got the idea! We’re talking about a brewery beer cookbook. One filled with easy and delicious recipes. We’re sure Dad will enjoy flipping through pages of beer-inspired treats this Father’s Day, and start looking forward to all the things he can whip up for the family when lockdown gets lifted. (Yes, the beer contains alcohol, but you can rest assured the treats won’t!) Get in touch with us about our expected brewery reopening dates.
Nothing’s better than a fresh-out-the-oven loaf of bread to enjoy with a home-cooked meal. This recipe is one of our favourites (because it includes our brewery beer, of course!).
Step 1: Leave the can of beer sitting out so it warms to room temperature. (And try not to feel tempted to take a sip!)
Step 2: Fry the bacon in a pan and set it aside to cool.
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 190℃.°
Step 4: Using butter, grease a loaf pan (9″ x 5″ x 2½”.) and set aside.
Step 5: Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl, and mix well.
Step 6: Crumble the bacon and add it, along with the honey and cheddar cheese, to the dry ingredients, and mix again.
Step 7: Pour the beer into the bowl, stirring frequently to create a thick batter.
Step 8: Scoop the batter into the bread pan, and add a few ¼-inch cold butter pats on top.
Step 8: Place the bread pan in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes so the top is golden brown.
Step 9: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then remove the loaf and leave to cool fully on a cooling rack.
Step 10: Serve with butter and honey for a mouth-watering side.
Nothing says ‘hurry home for dinner’ quite like perfectly cooked chicken with a vibrant honey-mustard sauce. This meal is quick and easy – not to mention a delicious choice the whole family is bound to love.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 190℃.
Step 2: Making the sauce. Add the mustard, honey, beer, cornstarch, garlic, and lemon juice to a mixing bowl. Add in a pinch of salt and pepper, (about ¼ tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper). Whisk together until smooth.
Step 3: Cooking the chicken. Melt the butter in a frying pan over a medium heat. While the butter is melting, sprinkle some salt and pepper on the chicken breast. Add the chicken to the pan and sear until the breasts are brown on both sides.
Step 4: Pour the sauce over the chicken and pop in the oven, allowing it to bake for about 25 minutes.
Step 5: Dish up and enjoy with rice, baked potatoes, or a side salad.
Who doesn’t love a fresh, powdered doughnut? This recipe for a home-made batch of brewery beer doughnuts is super simple, and a lot of fun!
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 190℃.
Step 2: Melt the butter in a pot and move it to the side so it can cool.
Step 3: Sift the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
Step 4: Using another mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, and beer until blended.
Step 5: Grease the doughnut pan with butter.
Step 6: Pour the liquid mixture into the large mixing bowl with the dry ingredients, and mix until blended.
Step 7: Fill each doughnut cavity with the mixture so they are half full.
Step 8: Place the tray in the oven and bake for about ten minutes. (The doughnuts should not be brown on top.)
Step 9: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool.
Step 10: Plate up the doughnuts and coat them in powdered sugar for a tasty treat.
There are so many great ways to use beer in cooking and baking. If you decide to create a brewery beer cookbook for Dad, we hope you choose these three easy-to-follow recipes for the front few pages! (Find more ideas for cooking with beer.)
While life may seem a bit topsy-turvy at the moment, there are many upsides to staying at home. Extra time to spend with your family, no more excuses to put off that new hobby, and best of all, uninterrupted relaxation with a cold craft beer in hand. But, if the cabin fever is starting to set in, we’ve got a few crafty ideas to keep you busy. You can even get the kids involved, with supervision, of course. All you need is to drink a few brews (you, not the kids) and keep your bottles. Whether you’ve only got one beer bottle or a whole collection, we have plenty of ways you can upcycle your empties into something creative and useful. Ready to be inspired?
If you have an empty beer bottle and a string of battery operated LED lights, you can create a simple, yet charming lamp. The perfect craft to give your home bar or dinner table a magical ambience. It’s ridiculously easy to put together, too. Once you’ve finished drinking your favourite 1000 Hills Brew, wash out the bottle and remove the label. When it’s dry, all that’s left to do is feed the string lights through the bottle top and flick the switch. Easy! With our brown bottles, you’ll have a gorgeous warm glow, so don’t be shy, make a whole collection.
These days, we’re all trying to be less wasteful. But, with the current situation, the empty soap bottles are piling up. That’s a lot of plastic waste. Don’t worry. This next craft provides a handy and eco-friendly solution. All you need is a soap dispenser pump to fit on your empty beer bottle and voilà. Instead of making more waste, you’ve turned your empty into a reusable soap bottle. You will probably save some money too, buying your liquid soap in bulk.
Of all the things you could do with an empty beer bottle, did you think watering the plants would be one of them? That’s right. This nifty craft will keep your flower pots blooming. It’s another straightforward upcycle, and so useful. Besides removing the label, you don’t need to do too much to prepare the bottle. However, your pot plant will need a little bit of prep.
Start by wetting your soil thoroughly – this will create a seal when you put in your bottle, allowing the water to draw out naturally. Next, dig a narrow hole in the soil, just big enough to insert the neck of your bottle. All that’s left is to fill your beer bottle with water, and then quickly flip it over, pushing the neck firmly and fully into the soil. Repeat these steps when the bottle runs dry, and you’ll never have to worry about your plant wilting. (Only use a watering globe for plants needing a lot of water.)
With a little dressing up, you’ll be able to place your bottles all over. Whether you’re DIY-ing decor for your home or an event, there’s plenty you can do with an empty beer bottle or two (or twenty). Use them as vases, candleholders, or just on their own – your options are endless. There are plenty of ways to dress up your bottles, too. Below are a few of our favourite methods (feel free to mix and match):
For every beer bottle, there’s a bottle cap – and there’s plenty you can do with a collection of popped tops.
Once you’ve gathered a substantial hoard of beer bottle tops, create crafty coasters for your bar. There’s no right or wrong way to make your coasters, either. You could divide your bottle tops into sets of nine, lay them in a square and join them all together using wire. Or, still using nine per coaster, stick the caps onto squares of cork. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even set your bottle caps in resin. Whichever way you choose, they’ll definitely be a talking point when you’re finally able to invite guests over.
A quick and easy craft, this a fantastic, homemade alternative to tealight candles – and these one-hit wonders will never go to waste. Lay your bottle tops upside down, place a mini wick in each one and pour in melted wax. Next time you need to dim the lights and up the romantic atmosphere, whip these guys out and light ‘em up.
If you’re running out of games to keep the kids busy, use your spent bottle caps to make your own checkers board. You’ll need 24 bottle caps and a square board. Checkers uses an 8×8 board, so mark out your squares and colour every alternate square. Divide your 24 caps in two and paint each set a different colour. Once they’ve all dried, Google the rules and start playing.
Have we given you enough beer bottle crafts to keep busy? If you’re running out of bottles, you can find our school of beers at selected local stockists (when they re-open). Check out our flavours to decide which of our brews is right for you.
It’s the start of a brand new decade, and there’s no time like the present to start developing a taste for beer. Not just any beer, either. The revival of the roaring twenties is the time to delve into the delicious delights of craft beer. You don’t even need to venture too far from your backyard. In fact, when it comes to craft beer, the best place to start is close to home, at your local craft brewery. Local is lekker, after all. But, if you still need convincing, we can give you five fantastic reasons to seek out your nearest brewers and sip their cold crafts.
There’s no denying – small businesses need the support of their community, and your local craft brewery is no exception. Craft brewers put their heart and soul into their business, going to great lengths to perfect their product. And, you’re not only helping a small business grow, but you’re also contributing to your local economy. At 1000 Hills Brewing Company, we’re more than just a local craft brewery – we’re a family. As part of 1000 Hills Chef School, we approach our craft with flavour and food pairing in mind. Not to mention, we’re inspiring the next generation – our advanced students all complete a brewing course as part of their studies. Long live craft beer!
When it comes to craft brewing, it’s not the number of beers you produce that counts, but the quality – with flavour at the top of the checklist. A delightful tasting experience is one thing you’re always guaranteed when visiting your local craft brewery. While commercial brewers pump out the same recipe batch after batch, craft brewers experiment with different ingredients. (Explore the difference between craft beer and commercial beer.) For a craft brewery, the result is all about the complex nuances of flavour, and their customers’ enjoyment, of course. We, particularly, love exploring different flavour combinations with our Deli exclusive, The Rebel, which has been a blonde ale, a Trappist, and an award-winning salted popcorn caramel, to name a few.
Flavoursome brews aren’t the only highlight of visiting your local brewery. You’ll also find an exciting range of styles. Gone are the days of choosing between lager or lager. Now there are Belgian beers, pilsners, pale ales, blondes, IPAs and more. Brewers can also combine styles to create a hybrid of two. We love experimenting with styles, using the pale ale style as our starting point. Discover how we style our brew crew here.
If flavour and variety aren’t enough, the food and beer pairing will have you hooked. That’s right, food and craft beer are a match made in heaven. Pair the right beer profile with the right dish and the enhanced flavours will blow you away. As we’ve already mentioned, we’re rather passionate about pairing our craft flavours with food. Our student-run deli opens on weekends, offering a carefully planned menu and craft beer on tap. The menu changes with each syllabus, providing new flavourful beer and food combos to whet your palate.
Are you ready to be blown away by the last reason to head down to your local craft brewery? Craft beer is healthy! (In moderation, of course). Thanks to a selection of natural and quality ingredients, craft beers are full of beneficial nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and fibre. All which are great for your health. (Read about how you can boost your health with the benefits of beer.)
Now that you’ve worked up a thirst, you better book a table at your local craft brewery, 1000 Hills Brewing Company. Our Deli and Microbrewery opens Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30 am until 4 pm. We’ll also give you a complimentary tasting if you’re struggling to decide which of our flavours is for you. Call 031 777 1566 to book a table.
Ho ho ho and a bottle of beer (or two). ‘Tis the season to be giving, and you can’t go wrong giving the gift of craft beer. There’s no denying, beers make the perfect stocking fillers – after all, they’re just the right shape to slip into any size stocking. Ideal, really. No doubt all of you with craft beer-loving friends and relatives have plenty of practice wrapping their favourite 1000 Hills Brewing Company flavour in a pretty ribbon. But this year, we’re going to help you take your festive gifting to the next level. Stick with us and our ideas for DIY Christmas gifts. It’s a sure way to win gift-giver of the year. At least, the craft beer enthusiasts will think so, anyway.
When it comes to DIY Christmas gifts, it’s all in the presentation. Sure, you could grab a few bottles of The Dean and put them in festive gift bag topped with tissue paper. But where’s the creativity in that? We have a far better idea – reinbeer! No, that wasn’t a typo. With a few inexpensive craft supplies, you can turn your bottles into a herd of cute beer reindeers, reinbeers (see what we did there?). All you need is a selection of our beers, pipe cleaners, mini red pom-poms, googly eyes and craft glue.
Voila! Your reinbeer herd are ready to settle under the tree.
If you love a good pun as much as we do, you’ll love this imaginative take on a beer garden. As DIY Christmas gifts go, this one ticks all the boxes – especially if your craft beer lover is also an avid gardener and cooking enthusiast. Not to mention, this gift is incredibly simple to put together. All you need is a selection of our beers (you can pick them up at a local stockist) and an assortment of potted herbs. Arrange the beers amongst the herbs, either in a box or on a tray, add a cute “beer garden” sign and attach a ribbon. Easy-peasy. And once the herbs are in your garden, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Who doesn’t love beer and bread? Edible gifts are always a hit, and if the recipient of your gift can make it themselves, even better. Any opportunity to cook with beer is time well spent in the kitchen, and you can’t go wrong with gifting a beer bread mix. Once you’ve put this gift together, it’s practically a bread in a box mix, but with a personal homemade touch – and beer. All you need is a bottle of The Cheerleader (or try The Fes if you’re looking for a sweeter note), a jar for your dry ingredients, the dry ingredients (measured out correctly) and a label with the cooking instructions and any additional ingredients. We’ve included a simple beer bread recipe below.
*For your beer bread mix gift, layer the above dry ingredients in a glass jar.
*Gift this with your jar of dry ingredients.
*This one’s for the recipient of your gift to organise when they get around to making their bread. Don’t forget to include it on your label or in the recipe.
Last, but not least, you can always fall back on a tried and tested favourite – a homemade hamper. Our brew crew and a selection of your loved one’s preferred nibbles – what’s not to love? A craft beer hamper ticks all the right boxes, and it’s one of the easiest DIY Christmas gifts to put together. Place everything in a pretty box, basket or bag, tie with a ribbon and Bob’s your uncle. Just don’t place this one under the tree if you have pets, they might not be able to resist the temptation of the edible treats inside.
Right, are you feeling inspired to tackle some beery DIY Christmas gifts this year? Find our beers at a local stockist and get crafting. Your friends and family will love the extra effort. If you’re not sure which of our beers to buy, read up on the different flavours beforehand. Merry Christmas everyone!
Imagine, you’re standing in front of the bar fridge, looking through the contents. On the shelves, you have a couple of 1000 Hills Brewing Company brews, a few regular beers, maybe a soft drink or two (every bar needs a few mixers). Whether it’s at the end of a long day, or around the braai with mates, you know you’re reaching for the hops and barley. After all, is there anything better than cracking open a cold one? But which bottle do you choose? Beer is beer. Right? Wrong! When it comes to craft beer vs commercial beer, the answer is always craft beer. Always. And we’re not just saying that. Take a look below at the four distinct areas where craft and commercial parts ways.
The first noticeable difference when it comes to craft beer vs commercial beer is the look. In general, beers produced for wholesale tend to be similar in appearance – usually a yellow or brown colour. Stand two generic brands next to each other and chances are you won’t be able to tell them apart once you’ve poured them out. Craft brews, on the other hand, come in a range of hues, from hazy golds to rich coppers to dark, almost black, browns. If someone placed two different craft drafts in front of you, telling them apart would be a piece of cake.
If you’ve spent your life drinking the stock standard drafts down at the local pub, we’ll forgive you for thinking that all beer tastes the same. It’s hard to deny the similarities between the various commercial beer brands. However, in the artisanal beer business, flavour is the name of the game. A mouthful of craft beer tickles your tastebuds with hints of chocolate and sweet caramel, floral hops and fruity notes, rich coffee undercurrents – it’s an endless variety of flavour nuances. And you’ll rarely find two brews with an identical taste. Each brew, each batch, each brand is different. When it comes to craft beer vs commercial beer taste tests, craft beer is way out front.
The differences in taste and appearance of craft beer vs commercial beer usually come down to the production. Regular beers are typically made with standard ingredients and processes, en masse. While craft brewers put careful thought into the ingredients they use, hand-selecting the best of the best to ensure their distinct flavour sings. Craft brewers also tend to brew their beer in smaller batches, putting more time and thought into the actual process.
The cherry on top for all craft beers is the individual experience. With commercial beers, you go to the store, buy a six-pack and that’s it. Your beer is just a faceless liquid in a sea of identical cans. That’s not the case when it comes to craft beer. Usually brewed locally, craft beers comes with the opportunity to visit the brewery and chat with the brewers. We love welcoming fellow craft-connaisseurs to the 1000 Hills Brewing Company on weekends. If you want to learn how we brew our beers, pop Trevor a mail on trevor@thechefschool.com – we’ll give you a free tour and a complimentary tasting.
If you’re still not convinced who the clear winner of the craft beer vs commercial beer debate is (it’s craft beer), visit our Yes Chef deli over the weekend and sip for yourself. We’re open Friday to Sunday, from 8:30 am until 4 pm. Or, visit a local stockist and take a few of our brews home with you.
The month of love has us all scrambling for the perfect date night idea. But who says you should only focus your efforts on one night of the year? You don’t need an excuse to treat your other half to a night of wooing. You need even less of an excuse to include craft beer in your romantic plans. Who doesn’t love a little romance while savouring the invigorating tang of a well-brewed draft? In the spirit of Valentine’s month, we’re going to help you get on your partner’s good side with a few beer-inspired date night ideas. Good luck!
While picking up the phone to book a table is the easiest way to organise date night, everyone appreciates the sentiment of a home-cooked meal. And if you both love craft beer, there are plenty of opportunities to get creative in the kitchen. One of the first ways to elevate your dinner date is by pairing each course with a particular beer – like a wine pairing, but better! With our five flavoursome brews to choose from, it’s a piece of cake finding one for each course, yes even dessert (pick The Fes, his caramel undertones and chocolate make the perfect pair). We’ve jotted down a few ideas in our blog on how to pair food and beer – give it a glance for some inspiration.
The second way to enrich your meal with the fruity flavours of our craft beers is by using them in the cooking process. You heard us – cook with your beer. There are plenty of tasty main dishes which include a splash of your favourite brew, but the real winner of any romantic menu has to be the dessert. Luckily, beer-inspired desserts are a real thing, and delicious. From beeramisu to beer brownies, beer-spiked chocolate sauce and even candied bacon, the possibilities are endless.
No one said date night had to be a formal affair at a five-star restaurant surrounded by candles. You can have plenty of fun in your own backyard, especially if you’ve filled your bar fridge with our tasty brews. And we’re betting if you both love craft beer, you’ll enjoy unleashing your playful side with some creative beer-inspired game ideas. After all, you know what they say – couples who play together, stay together. If nothing else, it’s a great excuse to bust out the plastic cups and challenge your other half to a competitive round of beer pong.
But, if you want to be more inventive, you can surprise your partner with a blind beer tasting and see how well you both know our brew crew. All you need is our selection of craft beers, which are available at local retailers (except The Rebel which is exclusive to the Deli), a brown paper bag for each bottle and some clear shot glasses. Place each bottle in a brown bag, making sure you’re able to pour a taster without knowing which beer is which. Number the bags and assign a corresponding shot glass so you can identify the beers afterwards. Using the descriptions of our beers as a guide, guess away and see which of you knows the taste of our brews best.
Don’t limit your thinking to date ‘night’ – any time of the day works for a romantic rendezvous. Coffee date, picnic in the park, afternoon hike – think outside of the box. The best date ideas are the ones where you can chill, relax and share your love doing something you both enjoy. Luckily, for the couple who loves each other and craft beer, we’ve got the perfect weekend date idea. Yes, you guessed it – visiting the 1000 Hills Brewery and Yes Chef Deli. Our chef students whip up mouthwatering meals from scratch while you sit back and relax under the trees. What better way to enjoy each other’s company than over an artisanal sharing platter and a few refreshing brews, not to mention the panoramic views of the scenic Valley of 1000 Hills.
And, if you’re looking to spice up the date, start with a free tour of the brewery and complimentary tasting. That way, you’ll know exactly which flavour to order for lunch.
Are you ready to plan your afternoon date at the Deli? We’re open Friday to Sunday from 8:30 am until 4 pm. Take a peek at our menu here to start planning your lunch order.