Soul Barrel Brewing has once again proven its dominance in the African beer scene by winning the prestigious title of Best Beer in Africa at the 2025 African Beer Cup. This marks the third time that the Franschhoek-based brewery has claimed the top prize, solidifying its reputation as a leader in the industry.
The winning beer, Wild African Soul, is a collaboration between Soul Barrel Brewing and Johannesburg-based Tolokazi Beer. This unique brew combines a traditional sorghum umqombothi with a farmhouse ale, which is then aged for two years in wine barrels. The result is a complex and soulful beer that stood out among 259 entries from 14 different countries.
Founder and brewmaster of Soul Barrel, Nick Smith, expressed his pride in the win, stating, “We’re a small team with a big mission: to brew beer that expresses the soul of South Africa. Winning Best Beer in Africa three times shows the world just how exciting African beer can be. Winning with a beer based on Umqombothi sends a message that South Africa has a fascinating beer culture, and at Soul Barrel, we aim to tell its story.”
Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela, founder and brewmaster at Tolokazi Beer, also shared her excitement about the win, stating, “On behalf of Tolokazi Beer, I am deeply honored to receive this recognition for Wild African Soul. This award is a true reflection of our dedication to crafting distinctly African beers—celebrating our heritage and embracing the richness of indigenous knowledge.”
In addition to taking home the top prize, Soul Barrel also received Gold medals for its Ale of Origin and Live Culture brews, along with a Silver medal for its Speciality African Beer. The African Beer Cup organizers created this new category in 2024 to highlight beers that use traditional African brewing ingredients such as sorghum, millet, and fonio.
The 2025 African Beer Cup saw a diverse range of winners from various countries across the continent. From meads to lagers to IPAs, the competition showcased the rich diversity of African brewing traditions. Some notable winners include Okavango Craft Brewery from Botswana, Heritage Brewery from Ghana, and Rebel Brewery from Zambia.
Overall, the 2025 African Beer Cup was a celebration of the vibrant and innovative beer culture that is emerging across the continent. Soul Barrel Brewing’s win serves as a testament to the creativity and passion that African brewers bring to the industry, and highlights the exciting future of African beer.
