Dolphin Coast Craft Beers

Craft Beer African Style

Being away from home spoil yourself with new tastes, exactly what we did on our recent trip to the mountains. Craft beers are available at a higher price, normally a treat.

History in the name of the first beer Shaka Impi.

Shaka - was a Zulu chief in the early 1800's,
Impi - started in the reign of Shaka when Zulu regiments came into being, men trained to go out to do battle.
Assegai - are defensive weapons for combat, again King Shaka improved these from long throwing assegai into more formidable short stabbing weapons.

Three names on the first bottle all related to the area in which this beer was brewed.

Shakas Impi Lager - smooth, clean and rather rich with a depth of malt character, dark gold to deep orange in colour. An initial malty sweetness but finish is moderately dry. Hop bitterness is moderate with an herbal/nectar hop finish. Ballito Brewing Company

Look and Taste: Nice rounded beer, full bodied malt with a strong head, something I most definitely would seek out, to enjoy again.

Second taste test a day later from the same brewing company. Crisp and light in colour, nice head when poured that held.

The name Belgian Witbier

Much lighter in colour with lovely crisp taste. Never having seen previously it is interesting to learn this technique, slightly different in what goes into the brew.

Umlungu is a Xhosa/Zulu word used for a white person, (not sure why some find this derogatory), it is merely a person who originated from Europe.

Perhaps the brew masters had a giggle when giving an African name to this tasty beer, after all Witbier translates into White Beer, adding Umlungu to me is adding in our own culture. Belgian, well the place of it's birth by Northern farmers.

This is about beer so let's get on with what I feel, both at ABV 5%, both beers sold in glass bottles and call for another round, explored, enjoyed, most definitely would purchase when next seen on the shelf.

Belgian Witbier - This is a classic Belgian style cloudy beer, refreshing, elegant, tasty moderate strength wheat-based Ale. A spicy coriander and bitter orange peel flavour mixes with complex banana and orange notes to give this white beer its distinct character. Ballito Brewing Company

The Dolphin Coast is on our North Coast, we live South of Durban. These beers were brewed by a couple who started brewing as a hobby, then turned into a fully fledged business during 2015. No I have not visited the brewery perhaps one day.

Thanks to my brother, we had fun enjoying taste test. Later settled down to enjoy our regular lights and watch the mountains simply chatting about, well everything 2020 has been!

More next time about the fine light beers we enjoy living in a hot climate! Snacks, some crisps and biltong, while soaking up this view....

_All photography is my own, any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you.

Thought for Today: "Fun is like fine beer it is rarely enjoyable alone." - African Proverb