They are: University of Limpopo; University of Potchefstroom; University of Stellenbosch; Cape Peninsula University; University of Kwazulu Natal; University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville Campus; University of Cape Town; Pretoria University; University of Pietermaritzburg; University of the Free State; Rhodes University; University of Johannesburg; Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University; and Witwatersrand University.

The defending champions is Pretoria University whose Black Forest Lager claimed the Ben Lamaletie IBD Intervarsity Beer Brewing Challenge floating trophy, as well as the top honour of Castle Lager Best Bru Award and the Carling Black Label Champion Lager in 2013. They beat 2012 winners, the University of Cape Town, who was presented with the award for Best Speciality Beer in 2013.

In terms of the 2014 competition, products brewed will be judged under the following competition sponsored categories, each carrying a prize of between R10 000 and R25 000:

- Carling Black Label Champion Lager;
- Redds Best Cider;
- Millers Genuine Draft Best Speciality Beer;
- Hansa Beeg Dreamer Best Label; and
- Castle Milk Stout Winter Warmer.

An additional award, the Castle Lager Best Bru Award, will be presented to the team with the overall best beer from any of the other categories.

Further to this, participating university teams have the opportunity to win entry into an academic brewing programme offered by the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD). The IBD is a longstanding partner of SAB Intervarsity Brewing Challenge and presents the overall winners of the competition with the Ben Lamaletie IBD floating trophy.

Participating universities each have their own micro-breweries where students brew, ferment, condition and package their beers prior to the final stages of the competition when they are tasted by independent and accredited craft beer tasters.

The Intervarsity Challenge is a key element of SAB’s promotion of beer as the natural choice for the moderate and responsible drinker. As a low-alcohol beverage, beer is created to be savoured which adds to the enjoyment of life for the overwhelming majority of our consumers who drink it responsibly.

The Intervarsity Challenge thus seeks to promote responsible consumption amongst those students who chose to drink beer.

SAB has helped fund, along with the South African Stainless Steel Development Association (SASSDA), the construction of micro-breweries at several leading universities across South Africa. These micro-breweries serve as valuable teaching aids for students involved in microbiology, chemical technology and engineering programmes.