Mohope craft beer making waves

By Matšeliso Phulane

Basotho inspired Mohope craft beer will be among the top local and international beverages featured at Capital Craft Beer Festival (CCBF) in June 2024.

This prestigious lifestyle event will take place on June 15 at Pretoria National Botanical Gardens in Pretoria, South Africa.

Mohope Brew was founded in 2019 by entrepreneur Lebona Moleli.

Moleli grew up in Maseru and studied biological sciences at the National University of Lesotho. He is now based in Johannesburg.

In an interview with theReporter this week, Moleli explains that Mohope is a Sesotho word for a calabash, a traditional utensil used for serving beverages. It takes its inspiration from the culture, tradition and heritage of Basotho.

“The brand is an expression and celebration of our African culture. The beer is an easy drinking craft lager with a clean crisp taste brewed with malted barley, water, hops and yeast.

“The beer was launched into the market in December 2019 and was introduced into Lesotho market at LETOFE 2019. The beer is served in 340 ml green bottles and on tap,” Moleli noted.

He prided that in only five years of existence, the beer has won a few awards including Brewmistress beer of the year in 2021 and 2022. It is one of the top sellers at Capital Craft restaurant in Pretoria.

CCBF has for the past 11 years been one of South Africa’s most spectacular, unforgettable and well executed social events, whilst celebrating the local beer industry and enhancing the flavour of good food, good friends and good times, he added.

The festival, which attracts 10,000 patrons, is not only about beer but includes music and crafts.

Moleli explained that the main goal of the festival is to showcase local crafts as well as international and imported beers.

He further stated that the craft beer industry is still growing in Africa and the event is an excellent platform to promote micro- brewers and home brewers.

“We are very honoured to be part of this prestigious event. It gives our brand more exposure and the benefits are phenomenal.” Moleli said Mohope has also been part of other lifestyle events in Lesotho including the annual Lesotho Wine Festival and the Beer, Meats and Bands Festival.

The beer is sold in a few outlets in Johannesburg and Pretoria and many restaurants in the beautiful Eastern Free State town of Clarens. In Lesotho it is sold in a few restaurants and liquor stores in Maseru.

“We plan to grow our brand and introduce it to more strategic outlets in the future. We also look forward to being part of Capital Craft Beer Festival 2024,” Moleli concluded.