How awesome it is to see the number of beer conferences and other networking/learning events rise in South Africa. This year we’e already seen the Craft Brewers Powwow and two editions of Beer Boot Camp. Next up is the MicroBrew Symposium.

The one-day convention will be held in Johannesburg on September 13th 2016 as part of Food & Drink Technology Africa. Aimed more at commercial brewers or those that are going pro over general beer geeks, sessions will cover topics like dry hopping, recipe development, fermentation challenges, quality control and a look at beer styles. International speakers are accompanied by a few familiar local faces – Imke Pape from Brauhaus am Damm, veteran brewer and distiller Moritz Kallmeyer of Drayman’s and I will be there, with a detailed update on the state of the SA craft beer scene.

Run by German brewing institute VLB, prices are quoted in euros, so keep an eye on the exchange rate for the best deal if you’re buying in rand. Speaking of deals, if you book soon – before August 15th OFFER EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 2ND!! – you get a whopping 50% discount on the ticket price – €50 instead of €100 (that works out as less than R800 by today’s exchange rate so book quickly before the rand tanks and the discount ends). The ticket also includes free admission to the food & drink technology trade show on September 14th and 15th.

As Randy Mosher recently said in a write-up of his recent trip to South Africa, “A group of confidently creative and capable brewers, who organize together to protect and promote their industry is essential… and a much better level of education is needed…” This is our chance to get some more education from industry experts. And to get together and chat, network, share ideas, woes and plans. I can’t wait – see you there?

Book online here for a discounted ticket to the MicroBrew Symposium.