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What is in a name? Many things. Recently, people have been calling beers in South Africa by the province in which is been brewed. One of my favourite beers is called a Cape Pale Ale, named after the Western Cape province in which the beer is brewed. Charlie’s Brewery, a brewery also in this area which I also recently visited calls their Pale Ale a SAPA, or a South African Pale Ale. I like that these breweries have been doing this, crafting their own unique style linked to the very place where they are brewed!

The usual beer style is, following the Karoo Craft Breweries in this #BeerSaturday post, is the APA or American Pale Ale.

So, there are some patriotisms involved in these beers, especially the ones that are trying to craft their own unique style in South Africa! But funnily enough, these beers are still very much dependent the American and European styles.

What then is in a name? Not that much.

Yet it remains a cool and nice way of differentiating the beers a bit, even if only in their name.

Without further going down this rabbit hole, let me share my tasting notes of a couple of very interesting beers from three local breweries.

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Charlie’s Brewery: Wild Flower SAPA

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South African Pale Ale | 4.5 % ABV | 18 IBUs

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As I opened this beer, there was a distinct bready-yeasty nose that hit me. It was incredibly light and delicate, and I really enjoyed it. There was a subtle hint of malt as well. On the nose I could not really pick up any hoppy notes at first. The smell to me was exactly that what you get from a mash tun when you brew your own beers.

The taste was a confirmation of this incredible malty beer. I really enjoyed it. There was, however, a slight bitterness from the hops that was there, but the 18 IBUs indicated it was not too much.

The beer was not full-bodied but it was a very refreshing one. The carbonation was not too high, but for this beer it definitely worked.

Funny enough, the taste of the beer was not as good as its nose. It smelled better than it tasted!

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Karoo Craft Breweries: The Impala APA

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American Pale Ale | 5% ABV | ?? IBUs

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As I opened the beer, the hoppy notes came through. It was fruity with a nice bitterness even on the nose.

The first taste was full-bodied, what you expect from this kind of beer. Or at least I. It was crisp and very refreshing. Even though I picked up some bitterness on the nose, the taste was not too bitter. Again, well balanced.

As the beer warmed up a bit, I could get some citrus coming through as well.

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Jack Black Brewery: Original CPA

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Cape Pale Ale | 4% ABV | ?? IBUs

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As I opened this beer, the citrus and pine notes overpowered the glass. It was incredible, and I loved it! Along the fruity notes, there was a beautifully balanced bitterness.

The first sip was that classic IPA flavoured hoppy taste, but toned down a bit. The aftertaste was a bit more bitter, but it worked for the refreshing beer.

I loved every sip of this beer, it felt like one I could sip on all day, cold or hot. Especially next to a fire going, or a BBQ. This is one of my go to beers!

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Postscriptum, or So Another Beer Goes

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I loved these more bold and beautiful beers, the ones that try and become a style in their own. The SAPA or South African Pale Ale was a beautiful bready yeasty and malty beer, the APA or American Pale Ale was a classic beer so true to its style, and the CPA or Cape Pale Ale feels like a blend between the two styles.

I will cheers to that!

For now, happy drinking, and keep well.

Cheers to another #BeerSaturday.

All of the musings and writings are my own. The photographs are also my own, taken with my Nikon D300.