2014 draws to a close and like all year ends, we take the time to reflect on the year that has been and look forward to the new year ahead. 2014 served it’s shares of shocks and news in the alcohol industry and there is so much to look back on. Locally we had the Whisky Festival and Beerfest which were awesome and consumers are becoming more and more informed as time passes. We were of course served our fair share of tragedies and we should keep up the fight to stop deaths through illicit brew and via drunk driving. Globally we can highlight the emergence of a new king to the whisky throne, among many other things. Let’s take the time to highlight beershara’s the best of 2014.
Beer
Haacht Brewery’s Tongerlo Blond scooped the award for the best beer in the world. Described as having a “Spicy aroma. Tarty bitterness, touch of creaminess and lemony.” and “Good looking, dry and easy to drink.”, the beer is re-fermented in the bottle giving it a a more intense taste and aroma as well as a longer shelf life.
2014 also saw the rise of craft beer in the country and the introduction of new brands such as Heineken’s Desperados and Savanna’s Dry Premium Cider.
Whisky
There was a shock in the whisky market as Japan’s Yamazaki Single Malt won the best whisky via Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. The decision is still up for debate and at the end of the day it is always a personal decision. Personally the best whisky I’ve tasted this year has to be the Johnnie Walker Blue label.
With the Love Whisky Festival this year showing that the whisky crowd is growing in the country, we will see an increase in sales as was intended by the organisers. There were several new brands introduced by EABL like Talisker Storm and Bulleit Borbon Whisky.
Tabitha Karanja
Mrs Tabitha Karanja and Keroche Breweries have changed the face of the alcohol industry in Kenya and are now major players in the industry. Her efforts were well feted as she was recognised as Africa’s Bussinesswoman of the year. Keroche Breweries are in the process of increasing their volumes and they will be a force to reckon with next year.
Smirnoff Ice Double Black Guarana
One of the most popular drinks this year has to be Smirnoff’s new introduction the Ice Double Black Guarana. The marketing and hype generated around it has made it quite popular among the outgoing young peeps and it’s sales have been over the roof. You know a drink is selling quick when it runs out of stock in your local.
These are just a few of the highlights to what was an amazing year. We would like to thank all those who made this year great and look forward to having a bigger 2015. Happy new year our dear readers.