15 IPAs to try in South Africa

Two years ago, Banana Jam Cafe hosted its first IPA Day celebration. In fact, I’m fairly sure it was South Africa’s first as well. I remember the preparations and what a struggle it was to get enough IPAs on tap to fill a taster tray. A taster tray at Banana Jam takes six beers. Six. But finding six IPAs in South Africa in 2012 was like looking for a hop pellet in a bag of fish food.

Fast forward to 2014 and IPAs are everywhere. IPA celebrations are happening across the country and this year, the Jam will be pouring THIRTY different IPAs both local and imported (though not all of them are on tap). Here are 15 IPAs you can find in South Africa – use it as a checklist and see if you can tick them all off before the 2015 celebrations…(and yes, feel free to share your additions in the comments section).

IPAdayLocally-brewed American-style IPAs
1. Devil’s Peak King’s Blockhouse IPA
2. Copperlake IPA
3. Cockpit Mustang IPA
4. Woodstock Brewery Californicator IPA
5. Toti Hopstrosity IPA (first person to try this wins a hop cone)

Imported IPAs
1. Caldera IPA
2. Rogue Yellow Snow IPA
3. Penpont An Howl Reserve IPA
4. BrewDog Hardcore IPA
5. BrewDog Punk IPA

Other IPAs
1. Devil’s Peak Red Wine IPA
2. Citizen Saboteur English IPA
3. Devil’s Peak Black IPA
4. CBC Mandarina Bavaria IPA
5. Robson’s Hammer of Thor Double IPA

So – how many have you tried? What’s on your IPA bucket list? And what else would you add to this list?

14 Comments

  1. Rob

    No Clarens IPA? I understand that Robson’s are bringing out an American IPA soon too.

    Reply
    • Lucy Corne

      Ooh, heading to Durban at the end of next week – will get the scoop!

      Reply
      • Rob

        A week after our SA on Tap? What a pity…

        Reply
        • Lucy Corne

          I know, I know. Crap timing! I did the same with African Brew – missed Jozi Craft by a week 🙁

          Reply
          • Rob

            Will you be at Banana Jam Cafe then? Please report back (Tweet, whatever) on Red Sky’s once-off IPA – “Fly by Night”. And if it’s any good, tell Mark to brew more!

          • Lucy Corne

            Consider it done!

  2. Dean Langkilde

    Wow,
    Nice little list there Lucy.

    I’ve had plenty different IPA’s, but only 9 on this list. I feel like I have some serious work to do. 🙂
    Out of the above that I haven’t had, I would most like to try the Caldera IPA (I really enjoyed their Pale Ale) and the Devils Peak Black IPA.

    The CBC Mandarina Bavaira still eludes me to this day, as every time I try and find it it’s out of stock.

    The Woodstock and Toti IPA’s sound good as well and I will never turn my nose up at a Devils Peak Beer. I wouldn’t expect the Red Wine IPA to be anything less than delicious.

    You folk are lucky with your larger variety of beers in CT.

    JHB will get there though eventually. I hope.

    Reply
    • Lucy Corne

      I’m sure there’s another dozen you could add to the list though Dean!! I’ll bring you a Mandarina when I come to Jozi if you hadn’t got hold of it by then…swap you for your Citra 🙂

      Reply
  3. stewart

    Jack Black’s Skeleton Coast IPA is another brilliant local!

    Reply
    • Troye

      Finally! Someone with some class.
      Stewart you biscuit, I have a 4 pack of Skeleton Coast with your name on it!
      Are you in JHB, DBN or CT?

      Reply
  4. Nick Woodward

    Copperlake IPA is my favourite SA IPA, god I love the stuff. Renders me useless all too often!!!

    Reply
  5. Torben

    Hi have just returned from the USA and was introduced to iipa beer ,I was up state Ny and there is is a huge variety I am finding it difficult going back to our sa beer ,and they are affordable at $12 for 6 torben

    Reply
    • Lucy Corne

      $2 for an IIPA?! Sign me up.

      CBC does an excellent Imperial – check it out!

      Reply

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