#FreshOnTheShelf: Craft beer, beverages and bubbly

CC Golden Ale

Popular Italian-inspired eatery Col’Cacchio has launched its own private label craft beer, CC Golden Ale, created in partnership with South African craft brewers Devil’s Peak Brewing Company.

The new beer is described as an easy-drinking ale that's crisp, light and refreshing, with soft, malty sweetness giving way to tropical fruit flavours and a clean, dry finish.

The CC Golden Ale retails at R32 per bottle, and is available at all Col’Cacchio restaurants in SA and Windhoek.

SA's best beers revealed at SANBT 2018

30 Aug 2018

Schweppes Flavours

Beverage brand Schweppes has introduced Schweppes Flavours – a new range of fruity sparkling drinks inspired by cocktails. Schweppes Mojito is mint and lime combined to recreate the Cuban classic, while Schweppes Tropical Sunset is a citrus blend filled with fresh flavours.

While the new additions work well as mixers, the idea behind the range is to cater to the rising demand for alcohol-free drinks at social occasions. The Mojito flavour is best served with ice and garnished with a mint sprig and lime wedge squeeze, and the Tropical Sunset with an orange slice and lemon zest.

The new Schweppes Flavours are available in 200ml and 330ml ready-to-go cans.

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Lauren Hartzenberg  3 Aug 2018

Clark & Sons mixers

Clark & Sons is a new, premium mixer brand that's offering consumers a broad range of options to pair with their favourite local and imported spirits. The variants currently include: Cola, Indian Tonic, Pink Tonic, Lemonade, Ginger Ale, Bitter Lemon, Club Soda, Sugar-Free Cola, Indian Tonic and Pink Tonic.

There's also the Flight energy drink, available in two unique variants – Accelerate, with peach and lavender and Elevate, with litchi and pear – that go well with vodka and gin.

According to the company, each of the variants are of exceptional quality and gentle on the palate as premium refreshment alternatives.

Grace du Roi

Just in time for spring, Truman & Orange brings us Grace du Roi sparkling wines and MCC.

Using grapes chosen for their balance of sweetness and acidity and harvested at night to maintain their freshness, Grace du Roi sparkling wines offer a lively bubble, and a refreshing green apple and pear character, while the Rose variants offer a hint of raspberry and cream.

Naturally cold-fermented, the clean, delicate character of the sparkling wines is gently fruity as a result of their Chenin Blanc base and the use of the cuvee (first press) of the grapes. The wines in the blend are kept separate to allow flavour to develop first before marrying, achieving lighter, more delicate flavours.

The Grace du Roi MCC (Methode Cap Classique) is made according to the French-influenced wine-making method where, like Champagne, the liquid spends at least 9 months developing flavour in the bottle. Made from Chardonnay grapes, the low yields from the dry winelands surrounding Paarl are hugely flavoursome. The grapes are harvested while still firm on the branch and fermented with only the slightest contact with French oak to create a beautifully-structured, elegant wine.