The annual Beer and Cheese Day, hosted by the School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering of the North-West University (NWU), is more than just a social gathering – it is a way to ignite the students’ creativity and entrepreneurial spirits.
During this project, fourth-year biotechnology students brew and blend their way to a final product through hands-on projects. With guidance from their technical team, students delve into the science of fermentation as they experiment with different ingredients and flavours to make their own cheeses and craft beers.
In recognition of their joint accomplishments, Best Beer Production, Best Cheese Production and Best Label Design awards were presented to the winning teams. The winners did not just walk away with bragging rights: cash prizes of up to R2 500 and store vouchers were on the line, thanks to sponsors such as deMILKo, Pimenta Potchefstroom and Vyfhoek Spar.
The winners
The Best Beer Label award was won by Group 3, which comprised Christiaan Beukes, Elpa Grobler and Zoey Enslin, for their Irish red ale named Get Lucky. The Best Cheese Production award went to Group 4, whose members were Sabelo Sithole, Lindokuhle Buthelezi and Babazile Khumalo. Their mascarpone cheese was notable for its attention to sensory aspects and careful evaluation of market alternatives.
Meanwhile, the Best Beer Production award was claimed by Group 2, which consisted of Gabby Steyn, Keabetswe Maimane and Jan Hoon. Their Brewtiful beer is a single-hop India pale ale, infused with grapefruit and lemon peel, offering a refreshing yet moderately bitter finish.
For Dr Ruveix van Coller, undergraduate programme manager at the School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, the students displayed potential and creativity. “I was thoroughly impressed by the students’ work,” he said. “The quality of the products on display was outstanding. The students exceeded expectations by taking their work beyond the lab – developing, branding and marketing their own products for the entire campus to enjoy.”
The teams expressed their gratitude to fellow classmates, staff and everyone who supported and voted for them, and a special note of appreciation was directed toward the sponsors for their continued support of the initiatives of the NWU Faculty of Engineering.
Second: Group 3, who won the Best Label Design for their Get Lucky Irish red ale beer. From the left are Ms Nthabiseng Leokaoke, senior lecturer at the School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, together with Elpa Grobler, Christian Beukes and Zoey Enslin.
Sabelo Sithole (left), Babazile Khumalo (middle) and Lindokuhle Buthelezi (right), posing with Ms Nthabiseng Leokaoke, upon receiving the Best Cheese Production award for their smooth and flavourful mascarpone cheese.
The Irish red ale beer Get Lucky.
The Best Beer Production prize went to Group 2. From the left are Ms Nthabiseng Leokaoke , Gabby Steyn, Keabetswe Maimane and Jan Hoon.
