KZN Intervarsitybrew™ Homebrew Challenge 2026

Sunday 23 August 2026

The KZN Intervarsitybrew™ Homebrew Challenge 2026 brought Durban Homebrewers together with the Intervarsitybrew™ teams from 1000 Hills, UKZN PMB, DUT and UKZN Westville Campus for a Brew Day this past weekend.

The aim of this Brew Day was to transfer brewing knowledge to these students on their quest to become Master Brewers. 😎🍻 If you’re curious about what happens on a brew day, our Brewing Beer for Beginners series covers exactly that.

Lions River Craft Brewery and Langton’s hosted the event on a day that was a perfect reflection of a Durban winter’s day. Great weather, good company and plenty of brewing equipment made the Assagay venue the perfect setting for a full day of hands-on homebrewing.

KZN Intervarsitybrew™ Homebrew Challenge 2026: The Brew Day

The HLT and urns had water ready at strike temperature, and students and brewers set up their equipment and ingredients for an early start. Let the Brew Day commence!

Students had a hands-on experience with their brews on the day, using recipes they had created themselves with guidance from the Homebrewers. A few mistakes were made, and some quick thinking from the Homebrewers taught the students valuable lessons, but throughout the day the students were eager to learn and soaked up the knowledge shared with them by experienced brewers.

Questions were asked and answered, notes were taken and lessons were learned, from water chemistry to where hops come from. Knowledge that some seasoned brewers might take for granted, like hoppy beers benefiting from more gypsum in the water chemistry or how different hop products such as Cryo hops can be used, was invaluable to these budding brewers. Speaking of developing your palate as a brewer, check out how we used bad beer to become better brewers.

Bennie Jordaan from Beyond Brewing was on hand, ready to answer questions and provide any guidance the teams needed, bringing his expertise and knowledge of the craft to the day. Questions about equipment, different mashing temperatures and cooling methods were right in his wheelhouse, and the students loved picking his brain. Thank you, Bennie!

With the brews done, OGs measured and equipment cleaned, the students had the opportunity to grab a cold beer (sponsored by The Westville Warehouse and Langton’s – THANK YOU!) and enjoy a relaxed braai with the DHB Homebrewers, chatting about the craft that we all love so much.

Tanielle from Langton’s kept everyone hydrated with brews like the debut of DHB Pale Ale, Langton’s Rye Amber and Lions River Dortmunder, all three being equal favourites amongst those who attended the day.

Justin, Megan, Dion, Emile and Anelda from the DHB Club led the Intervarsity teams through their individual brews with immense knowledge and passion for the craft. Each team had their own recipe and their own unique approach to the day, which made for a fantastic range of brews that everyone is excited to taste at Oktoberfest in October.

Our resident photographer, Tania, flowed between the setups to document the day with her camera set to ready, aim, shoot! Keep your eyes on our socials for more content and fun to follow from the day.

Vote for the KZN Intervarsitybrew™ Homebrew Challenge 2026 Champions

Now that all has been said and done, want to experience the brews and select your favourite?

They will all be served at The Westville Warehouse Oktoberfest – Homebrewers Edition on Sunday 4 October 2026.

Vote for your favourite and let’s see who will be crowned the KZN Intervarsitybrew™ Homebrew Challenge 2026 Champions!

Details on how to vote and more information to follow soon, so watch this space!

See you there!!