Rugby and beer – it is a pairing that no-one can argue with, so I have quickly rounded up a quartet of local beers to seek out and sip while you watch the fourth round of the Rugby Championship this weekend.

Take your pick, from an old classic, a brand new beer designed just to drink with the rugby, a brand that’s all about the sport, and a seasonal release that offers a perfectly-timed play on a spring beer style.

With this weekend’s match starting at 9am, some people might think it’s a little early for a beer, but you can’t drink coffee while backing the Boks – it’s just wrong. So scroll through, pick your poison and be sure to stock up ahead of Saturday’s match again the All Blacks.

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  Shackleton Four World Cups Lager

  Launched late last month, this 4% ABV lager was designed with rugby in mind. Not only is it light enough to sip at 9am, it’s also a fine way to troll any All Blacks fans (or indeed any other country’s fans) online. As the can says, “raise four fingers, crack it open and remind the world what being a winner tastes like”.

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  Soul Barrel Spring Bock

  This seasonal Maibock (a German lager also known as a Helles Bock) is back just in time for round four of the Championship. The brewers describe it as "the beer equivalent of fresh-baked brioche bread", so cracking one open for a 9am kick-off seems perfectly acceptable.

   

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  Bomb Squad Lager

  Founded by Springboks Steven Kitshoff and Malcolm Marx, it's a no brainer that you'd drink this while the national team plays. The 3.9% ABV sessionable lager (brewed at Saggy Stone in Robertson) is nicely balanced, with some sweet malty notes and a light, floral hop character.

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  Castle Lager

  It would be remiss to leave Castle Lager off the list. Our national beer and our national team naturally go together, and of course Castle Lager is the main sponsor of the Rugby Championship. 

Looking for some more beer suggestions? Check out all of my beer reviews here.