A Testament to Craftsmanship: How Soul Barrel Brewing Co. Stands Tall in Africa’s Beer Industry

Soul Barrel Brewing Co., a small artisanal brewery located in South Africa’s Winelands, has become Africa’s foremost beer manufacturer by committing to using only local produce and mastering their craft. Their Live Culture Grand Cru won the Best Beer in Africa accolade at the African Beer Cup, showcasing their complex blend of indigenous wild yeast, locally sourced barley, fynbos, and hops. The brewery’s mission is to foster a top-notch South African beer culture and serve as a reminder of the power of local enterprises and commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and local farming.

How did Soul Barrel Brewing Co. become Africa’s foremost beer manufacturer?
Soul Barrel’s mastery and innovation led to their swift ascendancy in Africa’s brewing industry. The brewery’s commitment to solely using local produce has yielded impressive results, with their Live Culture Grand Cru winning the Best Beer in Africa accolade.

A Hidden Gem in South Africa’s Winelands

Within the verdant expanse of South Africa’s renowned Winelands, amidst the endless rows of vineyards, a small artisanal brewery named Soul Barrel Brewing Co. has been steadfastly outshining its counterparts. The brewery, tucked neatly within the historic vessel-like confines of the past Drakenstein Cooperative Winery in the vicinity of Franschhoek, has recently earned recognition as Africa’s foremost beer manufacturer, securing the esteemed accolade of Best Beer in Africa.

Soul Barrel’s swift ascendancy to the pinnacle of beer-making is a tribute to its mastery and innovation, two qualities that are deeply ingrained in the brewing sector. The brewery’s Live Culture Grand Cru, a barrel-aged farmhouse ale, has outperformed over 250 contestants from 14 separate African nations in the 2022 African Beer Cup, the continent’s fiercest and most challenging beer competition.

More Than Just A Brewery: The Soul Barrel Philosophy

Soul Barrel, conceived by founder Nick Smith, is more than a mere brewing enterprise. It is a tribute to South Africa’s abundant agricultural legacy. Every batch of beer is concocted using solely local produce, a rigorous commitment that has yielded impressive results. Smith mentions, “We are immensely proud to have triumphed with our beer, which features our exclusive malt and hops, as well as fynbos from our garden. This victory signifies one of the most notable achievements that a brewery can boast of in Africa.”

The Live Culture Grand Cru, upon tasting, reveals a complex medley of flavors that have contributed to its winning status: indigenous wild yeast from the Simondium region, barley sourced from Caledon, citrus and aromatic fynbos from Soul Barrel’s beer garden, and locally cultivated hops. This treasured blend, the team’s self-proclaimed finest brew, encapsulates the essence of South Africa in its flavor profile, a nod to the caliber of local farming.

Africa on The Global Beer Stage: The African Beer Cup

Now in its third year, the African Beer Cup personifies a united endeavor to elevate Africa’s position in the international beer market. As Lucy Corne, the founder of the African Beer Cup, reveals, the participation of international judges—industry mavens from 16 diverse countries—was essential to align the contest with its global equivalents. This year’s judging panel distributed ten gold, twenty-nine silver, and twenty-seven bronze medals across thirty-two categories, rigidly adhering to the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) guidelines that favored stylistic exactitude over individual preference.

The contest peaked with a Best of Show round, where the ten gold winners contended for the supreme title – the Best Beer in Africa. However, for Soul Barrel, the achievement transcends the award; it is primarily a festivity of their craftsmanship. Each year, the victor is honored with a bespoke painting, with this year’s magnum opus crafted by Cape Town artist Ann Gadd.

A Vision for The Future: Soul Barrel Brewing Co.

At the core of Soul Barrel Brewing Co., there is a mission to foster a top-notch South African beer culture. This is apparent in their ongoing innovation and artisanal brewing methodology. A trip to the brewery provides more than a simple tasting of their award-winning beers; it offers a comprehensive, guided journey into the realm of craft beer.

This unassuming brewery, nestled in the picturesque Winelands, has not only revolutionized the brewing landscape in South Africa but also set a benchmark for the entire continent. Their narrative serves as a potent reminder of how small-scale, local enterprises can wield a substantial influence, and how commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and local farming can reshape an industry. Echoing the ethos of Soul Barrel Brewing Co., “Real beer is made with soul.”

1. How did Soul Barrel Brewing Co. become Africa’s foremost beer manufacturer?

2. Soul Barrel’s mastery and innovation led to their swift ascendancy in Africa’s brewing industry. The brewery’s commitment to solely using local produce has yielded impressive results, with their Live Culture Grand Cru winning the Best Beer in Africa accolade.

3. What is the philosophy behind Soul Barrel Brewing Co.?

4. Soul Barrel is a tribute to South Africa’s abundant agricultural legacy. Every batch of beer is concocted using solely local produce, a rigorous commitment that has yielded impressive results. The team’s self-proclaimed finest brew, the Live Culture Grand Cru, encapsulates the essence of South Africa in its flavor profile, a nod to the caliber of local farming.

5. What is the African Beer Cup?

6. The African Beer Cup is a beer competition aimed at elevating Africa’s position in the international beer market. International judges from 16 different countries participate in the contest, and it adheres to the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) guidelines that favor stylistic exactitude over individual preference.

7. How did Soul Barrel Brewing Co. perform in the African Beer Cup?

8. Soul Barrel’s Live Culture Grand Cru won the Best Beer in Africa accolade in the 2022 African Beer Cup, outperforming over 250 contestants from 14 separate African nations.

9. What does the future hold for Soul Barrel Brewing Co.?

10. Soul Barrel Brewing Co. aims to foster a top-notch South African beer culture through ongoing innovation and artisanal brewing methodology. A trip to the brewery offers a comprehensive, guided journey into the realm of craft beer.

11. What does Soul Barrel Brewing Co.’s narrative serve as a reminder of?

12. Soul Barrel Brewing Co.’s narrative serves as a potent reminder of how small-scale, local enterprises can wield a substantial influence and how commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and local farming can reshape an industry.