It was with deep, deep sadness that South Africa’s beer industry learnt about the sudden passing of Julian Pienaar last week. Julian – or Jules to family and friends – was a much-loved figure who will be remembered for his perpetual smile, spectacular hugs and enduring willingness to help out a fellow brewer.

Jules pictured at At Hops End in 2019

Julian and Wendy founded Just Brewing Co. in 2014, starting out as a distribution brewery based in Benoni. In 2018, the brewery expanded and moved to a new home in the Modderfontein Reserve under the name of At Hops End. Here the beers were served in the on-site restaurant or out in the beer garden. The brewery later moved once more to a small business park in Benoni. Jules took care of the day to day brewing between extensive travels for his day job with tech company Lenovo.

Julian and Wendy also founded Beer Boot Camp, a beer conference bringing big names in global beer to South Africa. The event kicked off in Johannesburg in 2015 with Jules acting as MC and general tech guru for the conference each year. He was also the MC for Africa Brew, an annual conference and get together held at rotating breweries around South Africa, and he helped us to run the AV side of things at BeerEx Africa and the African Beer Cup.

But what he will most be remembered for is his cheery demeanour and upbeat outlook on life. It’s difficult to imagine Jules without a smile on his face; almost impossible to picture him in a bad mood. When the tragic news reached the beer community last Friday, the tributes were thick and fast – and there was a common thread.

He was remembered for his joviality, his amazingly positive attitude, his big laugh and even bigger smile. And he was remembered for his generosity, whether that was dishing out beers to thirsty friends, or brewing advice to newbie brewers. With the authors’ permission I wanted to share a few of the condolence messages shared the day we learned of his passing:

At Capital Craft Beer Festival, 2025 (image by Marla Burger)

“He was never too busy to make time for anyone. I was once tied up with admin at a beer tasting, and my wife was standing around, alone and awkward, not knowing who to talk to, until Julian took her under his wing and made her feel comfortable. That was the sort of person he was. Absolutely irreplaceable.” – Dimeon Van Rooyen, homebrewer.

“Jules was one of the kindest and most welcoming people I’ve met, never mind just in the beer world. No matter what was going on or how busy he was manning taps or sorting something out in the brewery, he always had time to chat.  We’ve lost a truly great human” – Curtis Murray, homebrewer.

“Africa Brew will never be the same without him. He was our MC for forever – a legendary cat herder, brewer herder of note, and absolute force of joy. I have never seen Jules without a smile and that is how we will remember him and honour him.” – Elbie Louw, Binary Brew Worx and Africa Brew.

“Julian was one of the first people I met when I was just starting out as a home brewer. Always so open and willing to give advice and share feedback. Such an awesome human. We will miss him.” – Angelique Kieser, Darling Brew.

I had known Julian for about 12 years, first meeting the Pienaar family shortly after Just Brewing began. Over the years I have been lucky enough to spend a good deal of time with Wendy and Jules, always getting together when they visited Cape Town or when I headed up to Johannesburg. My heart is broken for Wendy, for son Kyle and daughter Courtney and I hope that knowing how loved he was will give some, albeit tiny, comfort.

Tailgating at Intervarsity, 2024

Of all my fond memories of Jules, my fondest is our annual tradition of tailgate beers at the annual Intervarsity Brewing and Tasting Challenge. While the students gave top secret presentations that judges weren’t allowed to watch, we would sit out on the grass in the Bloemfontein sunshine, shooting the shit and sipping cold beers.

Jules always came equipped with a cooler box of Just Brewing Beers and I will always have the best memories of raucous belly laughter while swigging cans of Cray Cray IPA or my favourite, Pain Killer, a pina colada NEIPA. This year, I will be the one bringing the beers, and pouring one out for Jules in his absence.

Rest easy Jules. We will miss you immensely.

Please do share your memories of Julian in the comments section, if you’d like to.