A limited edition craft beer, created by master brewer Ndumiso Madlala, and matured in specially imported Jameson Irish Whiskey casks, was named Soweto Gold ’76. It serves as an acknowledgement and celebration of freedom. This freedom all South Africans owe to the brave youngsters who took a stand in Soweto and South Africa 40 years ago, allowing for a pioneering craft beer like Soweto Gold to be brewed at all. In many ways, it was a personal tribute from Madlala to the generation that had paved the way for him to study and eventually become a partner in Soweto’s first craft brewery.
“It’s an honour for our team to be a part of this campaign. Ndumiso’s story is inspiring, and to commemorate the class of 1976 forty years later is a special opportunity,” says Rob Rutherford, executive creative director at OpenCo.
Soweto Gold ‘76 was matured in the Jameson Irish Whiskey casks for 76 days, achieving an alcohol content of 7.6%. But the tribute didn’t end there. 76 bottles were pulled out of the production run, to be personally branded by the Sowetan youth of 1976, now 40 years older.
Each of these unique bottles is the product of the hand of a veteran in the stand for freedom, and represents their individual bravery. Paired with a handmade poster, the 76 collectible bottles are up for individual auction online. The auctions will close at midnight on Thursday, 16 June, with proceeds going to the Dr. Nthato Motlana Foundation’s Spirit of Youth programme, which nurtures today’s school leaders.
For more information, visit
www.sowetogold1976.co.za or
openco.co.za. Alternatively, connect with OpenCo on
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