A couple of weeks ago, while researching Beer Safari, the topic of Cape Brewing Company came up in conversation. The brewer I was chatting to (who I believe referred to CBC’s brewhouse as ‘a beer geek’s wet dream‘) made a comment along the lines of “Ooh, the beers I would make if I had a system like that…I wouldn’t just be doing lagers and pilsners.”

Well, I think CBC has come out with the type of beer he had in mind. May I introduce CBC Cape of Good Hops Imperial IPA…

In case you’re not sure, an Imperial IPA is essentially an IPA on steroids – more malt, more alcohol and although you can’t always tell, a shit-ton of hops.

Cape of Good Hops (goddamnit, I’ve been wanting to use that as an article name for ages) doesn’t have the full-on tropical-fruit-on-a-pine-forest-floor-type nose you might be used to with an IPA – imperials tend not to – but the hops are definitely there. I got some stone-fruit sweetness (peaches and apricots) on the first whiff, plus a touch of goosberry and – dare I say it (and I don’t mean this in a bad way) the merest hint of cat pee (a la sauvignon blanc, not your unemptied litter tray).

Despite the elevated alcohol (7.5%), I found it a much more easy-drinking IIPA than others I’ve had. The hops are well backed-up with a massive malt bill, but it’s still crisp and with a lingering, refreshing bitter finish. In short it’s a brilliantly made beer – one that you might well fantasise about brewing on CBC’s slick, shiny system…

Where: It’s currently available on tap and in bottles at the brewery, but keep an eye out for it soon at your local craft beer bar/speciality liquor store.

How much: R21 for a 330ml bottle at the brewery.