Heineken buys out Soweto Gold
Rumours have been circulating for months, but it's now official: Soweto Gold has been bought by Heineken. I was flown up to Gauteng yesterday by Soweto Brewing Company (a subsidiary of Heineken) and thought I was in pursuit of another 'Heineken gains ground in the...
Beer review: Bridge Street Black Dragon Stout
Has this ever happened to you: you go to a festival or a tasting room or a pairing evening, you trya beer, you love it and you buy a bottle or three to take home. Somehow, when you get it home it has turned from a life-altering drink into something fairly average...
Beer Review: Brauhaus am Damm Dunkel
Well I'll tell you one thing - it's been a fair while since I've used the four-and-a-half hop image in a review. This makes me both happy and sad - happy because, well, great beer makes me happy; sad because it's not a beer I can easily get in Cape Town. At last...
Winners of the 2017 South African National Beer Trophy
Sixty-four breweries, 199 beers, 22 gold medals, 62 silver, one massive party and countless hangovers. This is how the third annual South African National Beer Trophy panned out. The overall prize for best beer in show went to Stellenbosch Brewing Company for their...
South African microbreweries win at International Beer Challenge
After the last post I wrote, I thought it was about time for some good news. There is plenty of beery good news out there, and this is some of the best, I reckon. Three South African microbreweries have won medals at the 2017 International Beer Challenge (IBC),...
Beer Review: Damnation Brewing Co. Lone Wolf APA
Damnation Brewing Co. began life at the Brewers Co-op and have since branched out into brewing larger batches under contract in Cape Town. As one fellow Twittererer put it, "They win at labels" - but how is the beer behind the slightly scary face(s)? I must say I...
The single biggest problem with the South African craft beer industry
I recently attended the marvellous Beer Boot Camp in Cape Town. As you're probably aware, the one-day conference had an all-star cast, kicking off with the magnificent Michael Ferguson. He's a master brewer, TV presenter and the kind of public speaker that can hold...
Recipe: Candied orange peel – the perfect IPA snack
Everyone pairs IPA with blue cheese or curry or Gruyere but a few weeks ago I stumbled upon a marvellous pairing - IPA with candied orange peel. It's incredibly easy to make but somehow has the illusion of being something a bit special. So here, especially for IPA...
10 ways you know you’re a total beer geek
It's a big week for those who need an excuse to drink beer - IPA Day on Thursday and International Beer Day on Friday (check the calendar for event info). This means special events, one-off brews and general beery festivities. So what better time to unleash this...
Upcoming Events
Brewing Beyond the Basics – Homebrewing course
Brewing Beyond the Basics – Homebrewing course
Want to advance your homebrewing knowledge? Thinking of taking your brewing to a professional level? Join The Brewmistress, Afro Caribbean Brewing Co. and the Craft Brewers Association of South Africa
Winter Fest @ Triggerfish Brewing
Winter Fest @ Triggerfish Brewing
Grab yourself a designated driver – it’s time for Triggerfish’s annual Winterfest, where the beers are big and strong! Expect 9%+ beers from eight different Western Cape breweries, plus two
Winter Fest at Darling Brew
Winter Fest at Darling Brew
From the event’s Facebook page: Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or just looking for a unique winter experience, Darling Brew’s Winter Festival promises a blend of exceptional brews, good