8 minute read
BUYER’S GUIDE
from Spotong Issue 10
by 3S Media
BUYERS’GUIDE BUYER’S GUIDE
CASTLE MILK STOUT INTRODUCES ULTRA SMOOTH
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The South African Breweries (SAB) has brought to market its first nitrogenated draught in a can – Castle Milk Stout Ultra Smooth.
Created to give a sensory effect and a special theatrical moment during pouring, Castle Milk Stout has tight and creamy foam that gives a smooth sensation in the mouth, thanks to a balance of nitrogen and CO2 gases. It is made to be smooth.
Most beers are pressured with carbon dioxide, which gives them their sharp, effervescent quality. A nitrogenated beer is pressurised with a mix of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. This causes the beer to take on a creamy mouth feel, with its sweeter aspects drawn to the forefront. Frieda Dehrmann, Consumer Science and Sensory Manager for SAB says that rather than using a disruptive device placed inside the beer to manage the characteristics of the beer’s head, Ultra Smooth is pressurised by the addition of liquid nitrogen, which vapourises and expands in volume after the beer is sealed. “Some nitrogen dissolves in the beer which also contains dissolved carbon dioxide.” She said it was vital that oxygen be eliminated from any process developed as this could cause flavours to deteriorate.
“The presence of dissolved nitrogen allows smaller bubbles to be formed, and this is what increases the creaminess of the head. Smaller bubbles need a higher internal pressure to balance the greater surface tension, which is inversely proportional to the radius of the bubbles. Achieving this higher pressure would not be possible using just dissolved carbon dioxide, as the greater solubility of this gas compared to nitrogen would create an unacceptably large head.” Dehrmann explains further: “The fermentation is especially designed and tailored through, what we call, an arrested fermentation. With this process, the recipe has created the perfect balance of malt and fermentation flavours that gives the unique smooth creaminess of the Milk Stout style.” It is the two magic words of “pour hard” which the consumer really needs to listen to, otherwise the beer would just lie there in the glass, appearing flat and lifeless. To do this, the can should be inverted and held in a 180˚ angle over the beer glass, emptying the contents as quickly and roughly as possible. Castle Milk Stout general manager, Julian Remba, said there were four steps to ensuring that Ultra Smooth was served correctly. “Firstly, the beer should be chilled to its utmost and served in a pint glass, large enough to enable one pour with no top-ups. Ultra Smooth should be poured with a ‘hard pour’ - not in the usual careful way in a tilted glass.
This is to ensure enough motion of the liquid to guarantee the surging of the gas bubbles, he said. After this, pause to allow the beer to settle and then sip and enjoy the creaminess on your lips. “Castle Milk Stout Ultra Smooth is made from quality dark roasted malt and, due to its special fermentation process, provides a rich, smooth and satisfying taste experience.” Castle Milk Stout Ultra Smooth makes is the perfect accompaniment to a rich oxtail stew or delicious dessert like sticky toffee pudding or tiramisu.
It can be enjoyed with a cheese, dried fruit and nut platter, creating the perfect balance between smooth and creamy, at the end of a meal.
WINDHOEK BEER STAYS TRUE TO ITS PRINCIPLES
Just as good men of substance stick to their principles, so too has Windhoek. By staying true to its founding principles for nearly a century, Windhoek has consistently produced a beer that contains nothing but the purest ingredients.
Giving Windhoek beer its distinctive, bitter flavour and aroma, the finest European Malted Barley, Bavarian Hallertauer Hops, combines with pure water, to create a smooth and pure drinking experience. This is all that is needed to brew beer the way it was meant to be brewed - without additives, preservatives or shortcuts, in the proud Reinheitsgebot brewing tradition.
“Not all beers have the courage and tenacity to keep saying no, but for almost a hundred years, Windhoek has done just that. By sticking to our principles, by saying no when it counts, we believe we have continued to produce a beer made of the right stuff that people with high standards can say yes to,” says Windhoek marketing manager Alan Roberts, from Brandhouse Beverages. Windhoek was first brewed in Namibia in 1920, by two Germans, Hermann Ohlthaver and Carl List. These two brave men quit their jobs in banking and scraped together their life savings to follow their passion, to brew beer that was uncompromisingly pure and world class. So committed were they to this standard that during the Second World War, when the right ingredients were impossible to source, they halted production, instead of compromising their brew with inferior substitutes.
Windhoek has launched a new television commercial to take beer drinkers along on its journey of no compromise - a journey that has over a century allowed pure beer lovers to say yes to the ‘right stuff,’ three pure ingredients and nothing else.
Directed by Jonathan Parkinson from Fresh Eye Films, the full-length advert can be viewed on YouTube or on the Pure Beer Society website.
BUYERS’GUIDE BUYER’S GUIDE
SPECIAL EDITION HENDRICK’S KANARACUNI GIN
Following an intrepid and most perilous quest deep into the heart of the Venezuelan rainforest, Hendrick’s Gin Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, has created an extraordinary batch of special edition gin – Hendrick’s Kanaracuni. The fantastically absurd quest to find a remarkable and decidedly delectable botanical with which to create a new limited batch of gin, unearthed the rather exotic ‘Scorpion Tail’. It is now a key ingredient of Hendrick’s Kanaracuni, which is named after the village where the expedition team were based during their two-week research trip. Hendrick’s is a delicious, super premium gin, created with a number of unusual twists that deliver a most curious arrangement. Unlike ordinary gins, Hendrick’s is handcrafted in small batches using a two still process to bath and steam the eleven constituent botanicals. Only Hendrick’s is made with infusions of cucumber and rose petals, producing a wonderfully refreshing gin with a delightfully floral aroma. Hendrick’s is the only gin made in a combination of a Carter-Head and copper pot still, creating a divinely smooth gin with both character and balance of subtle flavours.
TELLS CIDER NOW AVAILABLE IN GLASS
Named after William Tell, the legendary rebel marksman who shot an apple off his son’s head, Tells Cider has been a leader in the creation of innovative packaging. Until recently, the popular cider was only available in light PET plastic packaging but, following growing demand, the apple cider will now be available in 340ml flint glass bottles with crown corks.
“After a host of local and international tastings we kept finding people asking us the same question: ‘It’s a superb cider, but can’t we buy it in glass?’” explains Rudolph du Toit, Tells’ National Marketing Manager. “ “After testing fully recyclable glass packaging with local retailers and finding everyone surveyed excited to stock it, we decided to make the change. Tells will still be available in PET, but only for large events and festivals where glass is not allowed.”
The Tells bottle, at 340ml, offers 10ml extra cider than the majority of local cider producers who pack their brands in 330ml containers.
The same premium 5.5% AVB cider will be available nationwide, packed in trays of 4x6.
ALPENLIEBE PURE TREATS
ALPENLIEBE is a pure treat for the whole family! Its smooth texture, intense and rich flavour is so irresistible and a firm favourite with young and old. The secret to this international success is linked to the unique recipe of caramel and milk. Each deposited candy is carefully created and individually wrapped for best product quality. A beautiful
STRAWBERRY-CREAM
- rich fruity favourite
ORIGINAL CARAMEL
- worldwide best seller metallic eye catching flow pack highlights the quality of the product and the design explains the meaning of Alpenliebe “Love from the Alps” from where the recipe originates!
CAPPUCCINO - refined intense taste of coffee - irresistibly smooth texture.
TASTE THE WORLD AT CHECKERS’ WINES OF THE WORLD
Since launching their Wines of the World concept and ongoing campaign three years ago, Checkers’ wine buyers have worked meticulously at expanding the collection with world class examples from international wineries. This year, the tenth country is making its debut in the form of Romania. The Lautarul Pinot Noir from the Dealul Uberland vineyard now forms part of the exclusive collection and is available in stores. It is made from 100 % estate grown grapes and is filled with dark, rich flavours.
This year, Checkers is offering over 50 international wines from 10 of the world’s best wine producing countries. The Wines of the World collection includes wines from Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania and Spain. It is quite evident that Checkers has reinvented the supermarket wine experience, bringing the top estates to your trolley – and all at affordable prices. Checkers believes in supporting local wineries and knows that, traditionally, South Africans far prefer local wines. The Wines of the World collection does, however, provides customers with the opportunity to expand their knowledge by tasting and experiencing styles and attributes of wines from different countries. Whether you are looking for a crisp Portuguese Vinho Verde, an exquisite French Bordeaux blend or an enticing Argentinian Malbec you will find them all, and more, at the Checkers Wine Route. The Wines of the World collection is an adventure of taste and global distinction, and truly expresses its place of origin.
