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There is nothing like a good beer. To a beer drinker, the prospect of a good beer at the end of the day is something special, akin to poetry to the lover, the smell of paint to the artist, or the idea of a thick novel with twists and turns for the avid reader.

For me, the idea of a good IPA, or a pale ale full of body and character brings me so much joy.

If I can share these beers with people who appreciate them with me, fills me with even more joy. I always share a pint or two with friends and family, especially my dad who enjoys them with me.

Recently, the craze for NEIPA has his South African even though it is still a bit sluggish. Few craft breweries are attempting to make hazy beers, fewer still are attempting different and odd flavours. Now and then, you find a good beer that adds some complexity, some alternative flavours, and with some experimentation.

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This week, I tried three such beers, all bringing me a great sense of joy and pleasure. Three very different beers, yet in some sense united by their flavour profiles, I could not ask for something better. One of these beers almost became poetry to me, and sadly, I do not have any left!

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So, join me on this tasting trip or journey as I sip on some great beers, showing again just how varied and wonderful the South African Craft Beer scene has become.

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Saggy Stone: Citra Nova Brut IPA

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| Brut IPA | 5,2 % ABV | 25 IBUs

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Last week, I drank another Brut IPA from Saggy Stone. And in all honesty, even after having drank so many beers, I cannot really say how they are that much different. Both are incredible beers.

The beer was incredibly hoppy from the start. It had that classic citrussy pine (forest) notes. It was almost pure pine forest.

The initial taste was not that bitter (due to the low IBUs); it was incredibly fresh, and had a very clean taste.

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As I drank the beer, there was a slight hoppy bitterness in the aftertaste, but fruity, zesty, with that classic IPA taste, but very mild actually.

This was by no means a bold or big beer, but rather fresh and easy to drink compared to some other IPAs. Obviously, this style of beer leans itself so it is fresh and “easy” drinking and not full bodied and a punch in the face IPA.

I really enjoyed this beer, and in general, all the beers that Saggy Stone has to offer.

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Charlie's Brewhouse: Harbour American Pale Ale

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| APA | 5,4 % ABV | 40 IBUs

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This was an incredible beer, and it almost had me writing poetry about it.

It was definitely one of the best IPAs I had in quite a while. I am so sad that I only bought four beers.

It had complex caramel notes on the nose, but at the same time I could smell the hops.

The first taste was incredibly full-bodied; but everything was so well balanced.

There were some ester notes when smelling the second time. I really enjoyed the complexity on my nose.

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As I continued to drink, there was a delicate sweet hoppy taste, almost like caramel-burnt sugar. But like the other Charlie's beer's I had thus far, it was very flat in terms of carbonation - which I liked.

After the beer warmed up a bit, there was a more pronounced alcoholic smell, but in combination (dare I say in a complex dance) with deep caramel and tasted notes. It was a deep, complex, full-bodied beer.

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Clarens Brewery: Citrus Haze

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| Hazy APA | 5 % ABV | 21 IBUs

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I visited the Clarens Brewery a year or so ago, tasting all that they had to offer. They have an impressive line up of beers, some okay, some spectacular.

We recently visited the brewery again, and to my surprise, they had attempted to brew a hazy APA! I have been craving these hazy beers, even if only for their appearance and I was happy to buy a couple.

Some of their beers which I reviewed earlier, were rebranded to contain the indigenous language of the area! As you can read above (right photograph) Amohela is a way to greet or welcome someone. Some commercial beers in South Africa take the same approach of using indigenous languages and names on the branding, which I totally support and which I will urge other breweries to look into!

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In any case, this beer had an incredible nose as I poured it. It was complex, fruity, citrusy, and with a hint of pine.

The first taste was a hops bomb but with subtle bitterness due to the low IBUs. It was not full-bodied probably because of low ABV. But it was incredibly refreshing, especially on the hot days we have been getting.

The beer had some good lacing and nice head retention.

(When I asked my fiance what she smelled she said banana with white wood shavings - I think I need to hire her for her unapologetic nose!)

As the beer warmed up a bit, I got more and more grapefruit peel on the nose and in the taste.

But sadly, the taste quickly dissipates and does not linger in the mouth as other heavier beers do. Still, it was a solid beer!

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Postscriptum, or As Charlie Says, "For the love of beer"

The year is coming to a close, and I cannot believe that in the last year, I tasted so many different beers from so many different breweries. Amazing beers, lousy beers, average beers, but in the end, it was all BEERS! Lovely liquid in a bottle or can or on tap.

Three was the charm here, and I really enjoyed all three of them, and sadly, I can only buy on of them (as the brewery is close to me).

For now, happy drinking, and keep well!

All of the musings and writings are my own, and the drunken opinions are my own as well - I was not paid (unfortunately) to say anything. The photographs are also my own, taken with my Nikon D300.