BEER OF THE YEAR 2025: Newlands Spring Brewing Co. – Jacob’s Pale Ale
Press Release
For Immediate Release
National Beer Trophy 2025: Celebrating the Best of South African Brewing
Cape Town, November 27, 2025 – The 11th edition of the South African National Beer Trophy (SANBT) concluded with an extraordinary showcase of South Africa’s diverse and thriving beer culture. Organized since 2015 by William and Jean-Vincent Ridon in partnership with the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA), the SANBT has established itself as the largest competition exclusively dedicated to South African beers. This year, 160+ entries were judged by BJCP-certified judges and international sommeliers, culminating in an unforgettable black-tie beer pairing dinner and awards ceremony at the Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town.
The evening was hosted by MC Troye May, a prominent figure in the South African beer industry as well as special appearances from Charlene Louw, CEO of BASA, and Jean-Vincent Ridon, South African Best Sommelier of 2023.
Brewers from across South Africa, including large national brands like SAB (South African Breweries), UNB (United National Breweries), Heineken and craft breweries came together to compete for top honours.
“This year’s competition highlighted the remarkable quality, creativity, and diversity of South African brewing,” said Jean-Vincent Ridon. “From traditional Umqombothi to zero-alcohol and specialty craft beers, the SANBT reflects the depth of beer culture in our country.”
2025 Trophy and Gold Medal Winners
The competition celebrated excellence across all beer styles, with Newlands Spring Brewing Co. – Jacob’s Pale Ale taking the coveted Beer of the Year Trophy.
- Best Light Beer: Hansa Pilsner – SAB Alrode
- Best Hoppy Beer & Beer of the Year: Jacob’s Pale Ale – Newlands Spring Brewing Co.
- Umqombothi Trophy (BASA): Chibuku Super Banana – United National Breweries
- Modern Flavour Trophy (BASA): Brauhaus Radler – Brauhaus Afrika
- Best Wheat Beer: Bone Crusher – Darling Brew
- BASA No-Alcohol Trophy: Heineken 0.0% – Heineken
- Best Specialty Beer: Coconut Burbon Darkness – Afro Caribbean Brewing Co.
- BASA Low-Alcohol Trophy: Session 157 – Afro Caribbean Brewing Co.
- Best Dark Beer: CBC Milk Stout – Cape Brewing Company
Advancing South African Beer Culture
South African brewers embrace flavour, quality and innovation
Adding fruit to beer isn’t new – think Lager & Lime or Chile’s famous Fanshop – but what’s happening now is different. Brewers aren’t mixing at the counter anymore; they’re engineering flavour from the brewhouse up, chasing the perfect balance of quality malt, local ingredients, and real fruit to meet the demands of a new generation of drinkers.
Younger consumers want beers that are lighter, brighter, and more adventurous. They’re drawn to fruity, easy-drinking styles and low-carb options that align with a more health-conscious lifestyle. And South African brewers are responding with bold innovation.
That shift was on full display, the competition introduced a Modern Flavour Trophy for the first this year with Brauhaus Afrika taking home the Modern Flavour Trophy with their Brauhaus Radler.
Full Winners List:
Silver winners:
Cederberg Brewery – Cederberg Original Lager
Harper Brewing Co. – Pale Ale
Hoghouse Brewing Co. – Roadhog Porter
Newlands Spring Brewing Co. – Tribute Lager
SAB Newlands – Castle Lite
SAB Rosslyn – Castle Double Malt
Swagga Breweries – Irish Red Ale
Outeniqua Brew Co. – Harvest IPA
Outeniqua Brew Co. – Oktoberfest Lager
Shackleton Brewing Co. – Shackleton Kolsch
Shackleton Brewing Co. x International Rugby Memes Club – Four World Cups Lager
Cape Brewing Co. – CBC Krystal Wiess
Cape Brewing Co. – CBC Lager
Cape brewing Co. – CBC West Coast IPA
Cape brewing Co. – CBC Lite Lager
Franschhoek Beer Co. – The Stout
Richmond Hill Brewing Co. – Dark Purpose
Darling Brew – 4×4 Braai PA
Darling Brew – Slow Beer
Afro Caribbean Brewing Co. – West Coast IPA
Jack Black’s Brewing Co. – Atlantic Weiss
Jack Black’s Brewing Co. – Wolves of Winter
Jack Black’s Brewing Co. – Brewers Lager
Woodstock Brewery – Funky Monk’s
Woodstock Brewery – Mr. Brownstone
Woodstock Brewery – Sweet Mary Jane
Hazeldean Brewing Co. – Last Tsar
Hazeldean Brewing Co. – Kriek – Lambic Style
Gold Winners:
BrewHogs – Red Lager
That Brewing Co. – El Juicy
Franschhoek Beer Co. – Liberty
Richmond Hill Brewing Co. – Lemon Yellow Sun
Darling Brew – Break Free Gluten-Free Red Ale
Afro Caribbean Brewing Co. – Chenin Saison
Afro Caribbean Brewing Co. – The Garth Father
Jack Black’s Brewing Co. – Cape Pale Ale
Woodstock Brewery – Sugarman
Hazeldean Brewing Co. – Ayrshire Pale Ale
Hazeldean Brewing Co. – The Cuban
Trophy Winners:
BEST LIGHT BEER 2025 – SAB Alrode – Hansa Pilsner
BEST WHEAT BEER 2025 – Darling Brew – Bone Crusher
BEST SPECIALITY BEER 2025 – Afro Caribbean Brewing Co. – Coconut Burbon Darkness
BEST DARK BEER 2025 – Cape Brewing Co. – CBC Milk Stout
BASA LOW ALCOHOL BEER TROPHY 2025 – Afro Caribbean Brewing Co. – Session 157
BASA NO ALCOHOL BEER TROPHY – Heineken S.A – Heineken 0.0%
BASA MODERN FLAVOUR TROPHY 2025 – Brauhaus Afrika – Brauhaus Radler
BASA UMQOMBOTHI TROPHY 2025 – United National Breweries – Chibuku Super Banana
BEST HOPPY BEER 2025 – Newlands Spring Brewing Co. – Jacob’s Pale Ale
BEER OF THE YEAR 2025 – Newlands Spring Brewing Co. – Jacob’s Pale Ale
Contact:
Jean-Vincent Ridon
Manager, South African National Beer Trophy
Email: jv@ridon.co.za
Phone: +27 21 422 5206 Website: www.sanbt.com
To download full list of winners click on the button below