In loving memory of Julian Pienaar

by Lucy Corne | 04/02/2026 | Blog | 2 Comments

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...

Charlie’s Garage launches South Africa’s first Ukrainian Golden Ale

by Lucy Corne | 15/01/2026 | Blog | 2 Comments

One of my favourite things about the craft beer industry is its collaborative spirit. Brewers frequently put their heads together to launch creative, unique and sometimes just downright outlandish beers under a shared brand. They swap brewing tips and ingredients and...

Winners of the 2025 Brewmistress South African Beer Awards

by Lucy Corne | 17/12/2025 | Blog | 2 Comments

Voting is now closed with almost 800 people choosing their favourites in the 2025 Brewmistress South African Beer Awards - a record number of voters! In some categories it was a very tight race, with just a few votes separating the winner from the runners up. Just...

The Brewmistress South African Beer Awards: Final Round

by Lucy Corne | 08/12/2025 | Blog | 21 Comments

First round nominations have been cast and the shortlist has been drawn up. Dozens of breweries, bars, bottle stores, homebrew shops and festivals were nominated and now it's up to you to pick your favourites. You don't have to vote in every category - just find your...

Ten epic gifts to buy for beer lovers this Christmas

by Lucy Corne | 02/12/2025 | Blog | 0 Comments

December is upon us, and you might find yourself looking for a cool Christmas gift your the beer lover in your life. Luckily there are plenty of exciting new releases heading our way, as well as some special edition festive box sets. And if you're not shopping for a...

Vote in the 2025 Brewmistress South African Beer Awards

by Lucy Corne | 24/11/2025 | Blog | 1 Comment

It's been a tricky few years for craft beer in South Africa. There have been multiple closures of breweries, bars and even festivals. Finding shelf space is tricky and making money more so. And yet, the quality of beer, and the innovation in craft beer just keep on...

Four beers to drink while watching the Springboks

by Lucy Corne | 11/09/2025 | Blog | 0 Comments

Rugby and beer - it is a pairing that no-one can argue with, so I have quickly rounded up a quartet of local beers to seek out and sip while you watch the fourth round of the Rugby Championship this weekend. Take your pick, from an old classic, a brand new beer...

Homebrewing is booming in South Africa – here’s how to get involved

by Lucy Corne | 29/08/2025 | Blog | 7 Comments

Three years ago I was lucky enough to attend Homebrew Con in the States. Homebrew Con is (or at least was) a three-day expo and conference that's attended not just by homebrewers from across the US, but also from around the world. Major suppliers like Fermentis,...

Beer review: Crafty Dee’s Wheat Beer (Tanzania)

by Lucy Corne | 18/08/2025 | Beer Reviews, Blog | 2 Comments

One of the most difficult aspects of brewing is consistency. It is something that's not entirely expected of a winery. A winemaker produces their wares once a year and variation from one vintage to the next is not only allowable, it is largely expected due...

Celebrating the women of South African beer

by Lucy Corne | 05/08/2025 | Blog | 1 Comment

It's Women's Month in South Africa, and after a quick look through my blog I realise I have never actually written a post celebrating the women that work in the South African beer industry. So I'm here to remedy that. I have written elsewhere about some of our beer...

Is craft beer in decline in South Africa?

by Lucy Corne | 30/07/2025 | Blog | 4 Comments

Last week I was updating my database of craft breweries across South Africa. I've been maintaining this list since 2011 and have sections for physical breweries, contract brands, up-and-coming breweries and those that have closed down. Now, for the first time since I...

A sad day for South African craft beer as Mad Giant announces closure

by Lucy Corne | 22/04/2025 | Blog | 6 Comments

Mad Giant, undoubtedly one of Gauteng's finest craft breweries, has closed. The Johannesburg-based brewery made the announcement via social media late last night. "It is time to say goodbye," the post began. "For just over ten years, we embarked on a mission fueled by...

Around Africa Series: Craft Beer in Namibia

by Lucy Corne | 22/07/2024 | Blog, Travel | 0 Comments

There is something about Namibia that just says thirsty. There is not a patch of green to be spotted from the plane window as we fly from Cape Town to Windhoek, and the river beds are all dry. Inside the cabin though, I'm anything but thirsty. The drinks service is...

Beer Review: Darling Break Free Gluten-Free Lager

by Lucy Corne | 02/07/2024 | Beer Reviews, Blog | 0 Comments

I am having one of those weeks where I strike things off my to do list. Specifically my February to do list. Why, just yesterday I replied to not one, but three emails that have been sitting in my inbox for four months. I am feeling very proud of myself and am...

Is it beer clean? How a dirty glass can ruin a great beer

by Lucy Corne | 08/02/2024 | Blog | 0 Comments

Imagine the scene. You’re at a restaurant and your much-deserved dinner arrives. You’re about to cut a slither off the perfectly cooked steak in front of you when, what’s this? There is a blob of something that looks like dried-on curry on your plate – something that...

How to become a qualified beer judge

by Lucy Corne | 15/01/2024 | Blog | 0 Comments

As we're still in January I thought you might still be looking for some kind of goal for 2024. So how about becoming a qualified beer judge? There are various methods and sets of guidelines used in beer competitions around the world, but in South Africa we almost...

Yes it has bubbles and no it’s not served warm: the case for cask ale

by Lucy Corne | 18/07/2023 | Blog | 3 Comments

If I had a rand for every time a South African had described English beer as "flat and warm", I'd probably have enough to buy a pint of English beer in the UK. And with the current exchange rate (and considering the prices in your average British pub), that is a LOT...

Beer for elephants: a visit to Okavango Craft Brewery in Botswana

by Lucy Corne | 14/06/2023 | Blog, Travel | 1 Comment

Maun is known by its residents as ‘Dusty Donkey Town’, and on the day that Okavango Craft Brewery had its unofficial (re)launch party, it quickly became evident why. I’m not quite sure why I felt it necessary or smart to walk the 5km from my hotel to the brewery on a...

Brewery equipment for sale in South Africa

by Lucy Corne | 01/02/2021 | Blog | 14 Comments

I get regular requests asking about used brewery equipment or complete businesses up for sale so I thought it might be useful to post this here and try to keep it updated. For every brewery that closes, hopefully another one recycles its equipment and starts up in its...

Blog

Win Tickets to the Cape Town Festival of Beer

It's that time of year again. That awesome time of year, when the shops are full of Christmas goodies and the Hamilton's Rugby Club in Green Point hosts a veritable homage to beer. The 2014 Cape Town Festival of Beer takes place from November 28th-30th and I have...

Lucy Corne | 21 Nov 2014 | 0

Beer Reviews

Beer review: Mtunzini Chilli Beer

You know what I hate? I hate it when someone has a great idea for a beer but doesn't quite follow it through. "I just added a hint of buchu but not so much that you'd taste it". Then why bother? "It's an IPA but I didn't want it to be too hoppy". Well it isn't a...

Lucy Corne | 20 Nov 2014 | 2

Blog

SAB launches “tank fresh” Castle

"When Breweries take on craft beer, they really do it in style!" - overheard at the Forries launch of SAB's latest innovation - "Brewery Fresh Tank Beer". It made me chuckle, but I don't think they're trying to "take on" craft beer - they really don't need to, with...

Lucy Corne | 11 Nov 2014 | 7

Blog

Are there too many beerfests in South Africa?

A couple of months ago I was at the Jo'burg Festival of Beer. It was the Sunday session and I loved it - both from a beer geek point of view and from a 'mum wth a baby at a beerfest' point of view. It was chilled, it was quiet, it was easy to get a seat and it was...

Lucy Corne | 4 Nov 2014 | 7

Blog

Can I put rooibos in my beer?

This is South Africa, home of rooibos and indeed, the only place where it grows naturally (or even at all?) So the question "Can I put rooibos in my beer?" seems a silly one. The answer though, depends on what you mean by "can". Are you physically able to chuck...

Lucy Corne | 29 Oct 2014 | 52

Blog

Win tickets to The Craft Revolution in Somerset West, Nov 1st

Summer is pretty much here and beerfest season is in full swing. So for being lovely, loyal readers of The Brewmistress, I have a special treat for you - tickets for this weekend's Craft Revolution at Somerset Mall. Just keep and eye on the blog, on Twitter and on...

Lucy Corne | 28 Oct 2014 | 2

Beer Reviews

Beer review: Cederbrew Chubbyhead Stout

The girls from Cederbrew launched their brand on to the South African craft beer market in style, with Chubbyhead Stout making it into the 10 finalists at the 2014 craft championships, held in September this year. It's a medium-bodied and easy-drinking stout, ideal...

Lucy Corne | 27 Oct 2014 | 0

Blog

South African craft beer reaches new heights…breweries in the Cederberg

Some of you might already know that the Cederberg now has a brewery. Cederbrew, womanned (see what I did there?) by sisters Melanie and Tania Nieuwoudt, propelled itself on to the scene in style, with their Chubbyhead Stout ranking in the top 10 craft beers...

Lucy Corne | 24 Oct 2014 | 4

Beer Reviews

Beer Review: CBC Cape of Good Hops Imperial IPA

A couple of weeks ago, while researching Beer Safari, the topic of Cape Brewing Company came up in conversation. The brewer I was chatting to (who I believe referred to CBC's brewhouse as 'a beer geek's wet dream') made a comment along the lines of "Ooh, the beers...

Lucy Corne | 14 Oct 2014 | 5

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.