Mutzig Class, the newest beer brand on the local market was unveiled in pomp and splend or before a select audience at the Chillax Lounge gardens in Nyarutarama on Friday night.

The beer is the latest brand to be unveiled by local brewer Brasseries et Limonaderies du Rwanda (Bralirwa). Mutzig Class now becomes the latest complement to the Mutzig brand after Mutzig Lite, which was launched in August 2016.

By 6:30 pm, the stage in the Chillax Lounge gardens was already abuzz with activity, thanks to the Nep DJs who provided entertainment for the night.

The evening also featured some energetic dance moves from a dance company, but the night’s crowning act was kept a closely guarded secret by organizers till the very last minute, when the night’s MC, Michael Sengazi eventually let the cat out of the bag.

During the launch of Bralirwa's new brand.

Bralirwa staff during the launch of Bralirwa's new beer.

All the way from Lagos, Nigeria, that surprise act was the Afrobeat singer Skales (real name Raoul John Njeng-Njeng). It was his first time performing in the country.

To their credit, organizers Bralirwa saw to it that the evening was about beer, music and fun, as opposed to lengthy speeches.

In his brief remarks, Eric Manzi, the Mutzig Class Brand Manager had this to say to revelers:

"For the last few years, we’ve always launched a new beer every single year to give our clients more variety. But one thing we realized we didn’t have was a beer for both young people and the young at heart, basically junior and senior life eaters.”

Manzi revealed that lots of activities were lined up ahead for the young brand, including sponsorships, Events, and countrywide bar activations.

Skales, the night’s main entertainer came on stage shortly after 9:00 pm, to take the evening to its logical conclusion.

He had jetted into the country earlier in the morning, with his Rwandan-Canadian girlfriend Neza in tow. However organizers chose to make his entry low key, so much so that many at the event only knew he was in the country when he stepped on stage.

And he did not disappoint, dropping hit after hit off his catalogue, and also showing off his Kinyarwanda proficiency, to the delight of revelers.

"Nishimiye kuba ndi I Kigali,” he started, before admitting it was his first time in the country:

His catalogue included some of his better-known songs like Mukulu, Komole, Denge Pose, My Baby, and Shake Body, among others. 

editor@newtimesrwanda.com