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06 November 2025 | Story Azil Coertzen | Photo Supplied
Intervarsity Brew
The winning Kovsie Brew team behind their award-winning Hazy IPA at the 2025 Intervarsitybrew™ competition. From the left: Monique Greyling (Anton Paar), Andrew de Groot (Fermentis), Dr Vaughn Swart (mentor), Hendre Heymans, Martin Visser, Joni Muller, Tyla Baker, and team captain Azil Coertzen.

The University of the Free State (UFS) showcased its innovation-driven student talent as the Kovsie Brew team secured multiple awards at the 2025 Intervarsitybrew™: Brewing and Tasting Challenge – South Africa’s premier student brewing competition.

Co-hosted by the Central University of Technology (CUT) and the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA), the prestigious annual event brings together student brewers from universities across the country to demonstrate creativity, technical skill, and a passion for craft beer.

 

A year of dedication, experimentation, and on-campus brewing innovation

The three-day competition, held in Bloemfontein from 23 to 25 October 2025, featured participants from 17 universities and a chef school, highlighting its growing national reputation. Each team was challenged to brew six different beers and design an original label, while taking part in presentations, sensory training, blind tastings conducted by qualified judges, and technical sessions led by industry experts. The Intervarsitybrew™ also promotes responsible drinking while celebrating scientific knowledge, creativity, and collaboration.

Representing the UFS, the Kovsie Brew team, consisting of eight student brewers – Casey van Baalen, Jana Bischoff, Ruan Jacobs, Tyla Baker, Joni Muller, Martin Visser, Hendre Heymans, and team captain Azil Coertzen – was guided by mentors Dr Vaughn Swart, Dr Christopher Rothmann, and Prof Errol Cason. The team worked throughout the year to refine their craft and push boundaries in student brewing.

In 2025, the Kovsie team brewed an impressive 14 beers, experimenting with different styles and flavour profiles. They hosted tasting sessions with mentors and peers, attended the Clarens Beer Festival for industry feedback, assisted with the brewing of 500 litres of pale ale at the UFS Paradys Experimental Farm, and actively participated in Free State Fermenters meetings – where some members earned awards based on Beer Judge Certification Programme (BJCP) standards.

 

Award-winning brews with standout creativity and technical excellence

For this year’s Intervarsitybrew™, the team presented six competition beers:
  • Hazy IPA (IPA category) – A hop-forward, tropical brew that won first place in its category.
  • British Ordinary Bitter (Summer category) – A refreshing, malt-driven ale showcasing classic English brewing.
  • Coffee Imperial Stout (Aged category) – A dark, flavourful stout praised for its smooth finish.
  • Margarista Gose (Wild category) – A citrus-inspired, tart beer earning second place in the African Wild Ale category.
  • Jalapeño Sour (Sour category) – A daring blend of heat and acidity, taking third place in the Sour/Fruit Beer category.
  • Czech Lager (Lager category) – A clean, crisp lager representing traditional European brewing.

Their standout performance earned them three major accolades:
  • Best IPA – Hazy IPA (sponsored by Fermentis and Anton Paar)
  • Second place: African Wild Ale – Margarista Gose (sponsored by SAB and Heineken Beverages)
  • Third place: Sour/Fruit Beer – Jalapeño Sour (sponsored by Shimadzu)

Reflecting on the team’s success, mentor Dr Vaughn Swart expressed his pride: “After the disappointment of a total loss last year, their determination and creativity truly shone through. Watching them transform into success has been deeply inspiring. Their growth, not just as brewers but as passionate, resilient individuals, reminds me why mentorship and shared passion matter so much. This year’s wins are a testament to the team’s perseverance and to the spirit of Kovsie excellence.”

The Kovsie Brew Team extended its gratitude to its supporters – the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, the Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry (CMBG), and LiquidCulture Yeast – as well as the Intervarsitybrew™ organisers for continuing to foster a vibrant brewing culture at the UFS.

The UFS proudly celebrates the Kovsie Brew team’s achievements, which reflect the institution’s commitment to nurturing innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence – brewed to perfection, the Kovsie way.

News Archive

UFS sets deadline for applications
2006-11-07

The University of the Free State (UFS) calls on all prospective students wishing to study at the UFS in 2007 to submit their applications for admission by no later than 30 November 2006. 
 
“This applies to first-time entering first-year students and senior students who have interrupted their studies for at least one year,” said Mr Vernon Collett, Registrar: Academic Student Services at the UFS.
 
According to Mr Collett students whose applications for admission are received after 30 November 2006 and until 15 January 2007 will be accepted subject to the availability of place on the programme they applied for. 
 
“No applications of transfer students from other tertiary institutions who wish to continue their studies at the UFS will be accepted after 31 October 2006. After 5 January 2007 no applications will be accepted from prospective students with conditional exemptions,” said Mr Collett.
 
Prospective students who want to apply must pay a non-refundable fee of R120 into a designated account, which will be provided when the application form is sent to them. 
 
The signed application form must be accompanied by a certified copy of the prospective student’s identity document or passport and a proof of payment of the application fee. The application form of a minor must be signed by his/her parent or guardian and the field of study should be clearly indicated.
 
“More than 25 000 students are registered at the UFS Main Campus for the 2006 academic year. We expect a considerable number of applications and foresee that our numbers for next year will be similar to what it is now,” said Mr Collett.
 
First-time entering first-year students on the Main Campus will be welcomed by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Frederick Fourie, on 13 January 2007 at 11:00 in the Callie Human Centre.
 
The registration of first-time entering first-year students will commence on 16 January 2007 and that of senior students on 22 January 2007 at the Callie Human Centre according to a programme. 
 
Students who applied for admission after 30 November 2006 and are accepted can register from 5 February 2007. 
 
Lectures will commence on 5 February 2007 and the registration process will end on 9 February 2007.
 
Prospective students who want to apply for admission or who have any enquiries can call (051) 401-3000 or visit the UFS web site at www.uovs.ac.za.
 
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
31 October 2006
 

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