I love beer, so when I was recently invited to a Craft Beer Tasting at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa, I knew I was in for a treat, especially since it had a food pairing with it!
The actual beer tasting at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa lasts about an hour and is hosted by one of South Africa’s finest Wine Sommeliers, Gregory Mutambe, who has a taste for good beer too!
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by Gregory in the conservatory with a table full of beer tasting glasses and once seated, out comes the amazing food that is specially selected to pair with the various craft beers that are tasted.
– Beer Tasting at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa Menu –
1) Van Hunks Pumpkin Ale – Chicken Liver Granola
This pairing was amazing and it really brought out the flavours of the dark Van Hunks Ale! I am a HUGE fan of chicken liver, so being able to pair their delicious delight with this pumpkin ale that I’d never tasted before, I was in my happy place!
2) CBC Amber Weiss – Springbok Loin
I’ve had my fair share of the CBC Amber Weiss this year and despite it being quite a harsh, bitter taste for me, when I paired it with the tender springbok loin, cooked to perfection, it really took off that edge and made me realise what a delicious craft beer it actually is.
3) Krystal Weiss – Yellowfin Tuna
The Krystal Weiss is another craft beer I’ve had a lot over the year because its not as bitter as the Amber Weiss. It was paired with the Yellowfin Tuna and what a combo they make together, especially since the Tuna was served with a miso dressing, baked avocado and curried paw paw!
4) Brewers & Union Unfiltered Lager – Oxtail Croquettes
This was my favourite pairing of all of them because surprise surprise, Lager is my favourite type of beer and after my first sip of the Unfiltered Lager from Brewers & Union, I am now hooked on this refreshing beer. Once I paired it with the Oxtail Croquettes, I was sold and since then, the Unfiltered Lager has become my beer of choice!
5) Orpens Apple Cider – Granny Smith Apple
After we were done with the craft beer tastings, we were given the Orpens Apple Cider to pair with a what the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa call a Granny Smith Apple. This sweet treat consists of a cinnamon and caramel terrine, caramel sauce and apple gel. The apple from the desert and the cider made a perfect combo of tastes.
I can honestly say that the Craft Beer Tasting at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa is something you really should go check out if you are in the area and when you’re done, why not head over to one of my favourite bars, The Leopard Bar, to watch the sunset from the deck! It will be a perfect ending to an awesome experience!
The pairing is available from 10am – midnight and costs R175 pp and booking is essential on this experience.
Book your own Craft Beer Tasting at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa.
