Shining Star of African Breweries: Soul Barrel Brewing

Soul Barrel Brewing is a shining star among African breweries, having won the title of Africa’s finest beer producer for two consecutive years. Their award-winning ‘Ale of Origin’ is a three-year-aged fermented ale crafted with indigenous South African grains and Lambic methods of spontaneous fermentation, resulting in a complex flavor profile with hints of zesty mango, orange, wild fruit, tart lemon acidity, yeast biscuit earthiness, honey, and floral undertones. The success of the Ale of Origin is a tribute to South African agriculture and the potential of local produce, showcasing the future of South Africa’s beer industry.

What is the Ale of Origin?

The Ale of Origin is an award-winning brew crafted by Soul Barrel Brewing, using indigenous South African grains and Lambic methods of spontaneous fermentation. This three-year-aged fermented ale boasts a complex flavor profile, including zesty mango, orange, wild fruit, tart lemon acidity, yeast biscuit earthiness, honey, and floral undertones. It’s a celebration of South African agriculture and the untapped potential of local produce.

In the vast arena of African breweries, the brilliance of Soul Barrel Brewing stands unmatched. This modest brewery, tucked in the scenic town of Franschhoek, boasts an achievement as unique as the beers they craft with devotion. For two consecutive years, Soul Barrel Brewing has clinched the title of Africa’s finest beer producer, surpassing 270 other hopefuls.

The Pride of Soul Barrel – ‘Ale of Origin’

Their award-winning brew, enchantingly titled ‘Ale of Origin,’ embodies their commitment to local authenticity and treasured tradition. This fermented ale, crafted from indigenous grains, ages gracefully in oak for three years. The end product is a beverage of extraordinary complexity.

One tasteful sip unveils a multitude of flavors. A medley of zesty mango, orange, wild fruit and tart lemon acidity mingles with yeast biscuit earthiness. Balancing these strong flavors is a subtle infusion of honey and floral undertones, resulting in an exquisite beverage experience.

Victory for Traditional Brewing

The triumph of the Ale of Origin is more than just a feather in the cap for the Soul Barrel team. It represents a victory for time-honored brewing practices. The remarkable beer is meticulously crafted using Lambic methods of spontaneous fermentation, a process harnessing wild yeast wafted by the wind into the brew. This practice, reminiscent of the esteemed Belgian Lambic, infuses a distinct South African essence into their brew.

Soul Barrel Brewing is the ingenious creation of Nick Smith, a forward thinker with a global outlook and a local soul. After a solid decade in the US craft beer sector and an enriching Master Brewers Programme at UC Davis in California, Smith rooted himself in Cape Town in 2016. His aspiration was to inaugurate a brewing revolution, and Soul Barrel Brewing stands testament to his realized dream.

Celebrating South African Agriculture

The glory of Soul Barrel Brewing extends beyond the recognition. It’s a salute to South African agriculture and the untapped potential of local produce. The success of the Ale of Origin is a tribute to the bounty of South African yeasts and grains, proving the remarkable outcomes possible with locally sourced ingredients.

But the journey is far from its conclusion. The Soul Barrel Brewing team approaches the future with an invigorating zeal. They express their sincere appreciation to all their supporters, through the turmoil of Covid and beyond. They firmly believe that this achievement is the outcome of a collective endeavor. “Great beer only emerges through community,” they assert, showcasing a profound comprehension of the mutual relationship between the brewery and its clientele.

Brewing a Future with Endless Possibilities

The narrative of Soul Barrel Brewing transcends the tale of a local brewery. It’s a story interwoven with tradition and innovation, local ingredients and global methodologies, and above all, a fervor for brewing. It signifies that the future of South Africa’s beer industry is not just promising, but brimming with potential, akin to a perfectly poured pint of Ale of Origin.

The team at Soul Barrel Brewing is not simply brewing beer – they are fermenting a future filled with limitless possibilities for South African beer. And we eagerly anticipate their next innovative brew.

1. What is Soul Barrel Brewing?

Soul Barrel Brewing is a brewery located in Franschhoek, South Africa, founded in 2016 by Nick Smith. It is known for its award-winning brew, ‘Ale of Origin,’ which uses indigenous South African grains and Lambic methods of spontaneous fermentation.

2. What is the Ale of Origin?

The Ale of Origin is a three-year-aged fermented ale crafted by Soul Barrel Brewing, using indigenous South African grains and Lambic methods of spontaneous fermentation. It boasts a complex flavor profile with hints of zesty mango, orange, wild fruit, tart lemon acidity, yeast biscuit earthiness, honey, and floral undertones.

3. What is the significance of the Ale of Origin?

The Ale of Origin represents a victory for time-honored brewing practices and a salute to South African agriculture and the potential of local produce. It showcases the future of South Africa’s beer industry and infuses a distinct South African essence into the brew.

4. Who is the founder of Soul Barrel Brewing?

Nick Smith is the founder of Soul Barrel Brewing. He has a decade of experience in the US craft beer sector and completed a Master Brewers Programme at UC Davis in California before founding Soul Barrel Brewing in Cape Town in 2016.

5. What is the future of South Africa’s beer industry?

The future of South Africa’s beer industry is promising and brimming with potential, as demonstrated by the success of Soul Barrel Brewing and the use of locally sourced ingredients. The team at Soul Barrel Brewing is fermenting a future filled with limitless possibilities for South African beer.

6. How does Soul Barrel Brewing approach its customers?

The team at Soul Barrel Brewing believes that great beer only emerges through community and expresses its sincere appreciation to all its supporters, showcasing a profound comprehension of the mutual relationship between the brewery and its clientele.