You’ve seen that meme that goes around from time to time. The one that says “every time you buy something from a small business, a real life person does an actual happy dance”, or words to that effect. Well imagine the level of dancing that’s going on if you repeatedly support that local business. It’d be like John Travolta and Patrick Swayze battling it out on Come Strictly Dance With Me, or something. But with beer. Well that is what actually happens when you buy a loyalty card for a craft brewery.

And I know how much you like beer and supporting local business and above all, how much you like seeing brewers awkwardly dancing, so here’s a brief roundup of the craft beer loyalty programmes currently available in South Africa.

Aegir Project (Cape Town)

Cost: R2950

Perks: It seems pricey at first, but there’s a lot of benefits of being a member of the Aegir 100. You get loads of cool swag, a four-pack of the latest beers each month, invites to exclusive events plus 10% off all draught beers and growler fills for the year. I signed up last year and have renewed my  membership for 2022 because it was awesome.

Brewer’s happy dance of choice: I can see Rory doing a line dance, most likely to Achy Breaky Heart, which is what he’ll have if you don’t sign up.

At Hops End (Johannesburg)

Cost: Free

Perks: Each time you buy a pint at the Benoni brewpub, you get a stamp. Once you get nine, your 10th pint is on the house.

Brewer’s happy dance of choice: Wendy’s a huge Dirty Dancing fan and Julian is her very own Patrick, so perhaps they’ll give The Lift a go…

Jack Black (Cape Town)

Cost: Free

Perks: Grab a growler and ask for the loyalty card. Each time you fill up, ask for a stamp and after 10 refills, you get a two-litre growler fill on the house.

Brewer’s happy dance of choice: There’s a sizable staff at Jack Black, so you’re looking at an ensemble number. I suspect it would be a mass rendition of the Jerusalema dance.

Radiokop Tops (Johannesburg)

Cost: Free

Perks: For every R30 you spend on craft beer or gin in store, you get R1 back…to spend on more craft beer or gin in store!

Brewer’s happy dance of choice: I happen to know for a fact that the store manager, Brian, does a pretty mean moonwalk when nobody is looking…and since he’s selling beer from lots of other breweries, I imagine they’d all be doing the Thriller chorus moves behind him.

Shackleton Brewing Co. (Cape Town)

Cost: Free

Perks: Shackleton’s just-launched loyalty scheme was actually the inspiration for this post. All you have to do to join the Shackles Loyalty Club is sign up on the website – and then you start earning! Each Shackle is worth R10 and once you have 30 of them, you can start spending them in the online store. You can earn Shackles by shopping, reviewing the beers (and vodka ice tea) and by referring friends. You even get five Shackles simply for signing up. Well, what are you waiting for?

Brewer’s happy dance of choice: Steve is a man of many talents. He’ll happily whip out a jive, do the mashed potato or more likely, that awkward swaying thing that teenagers do at school discos.

Stumpnose Brewery (Durban)

Cost: Free

Perks: Pick up the brand new Stumpnose loyalty card at the taproom and for every pint or house gin you buy, you’ll get a stamp. Once you’ve bought nine, you turn in the card and get the 10th beer or gin for free. Then, complete the deets on the card and pop it into the monthly raffle to win a R500 bar tab, R500 voucher or a Stumpnose shirt.

Brewer’s happy dance of choice: Have you ever seen a bunch of generously bearded men doing the Riverdance? Sign up for Stumpnose’s loyalty scheme and I suspect you just might…

Tolokazi Beer (Nationwide)

Cost: R1650

Perks: This is an annual membership that gets you a monthly four-pack, Tolokazi merch, a welcome case of beer, birthday spoils, event invites and discount vouchers with partner brands.

Brewer’s dance of choice: Apiwe gives great hugs so I’m thinking a slow dance. Or maybe even the tango…

Know of any other breweries, bars or liquor stores offering loyalty schemes? Drop me a line with the details and I’ll add them to the list.