2014 Triggerfish Open – homebrewing contest
One of the main criticisms of the BJCP is that it stifles creativity. People complain that in order to enter competitions, they have to brew "inside the box", sticking to specified style guidelines rather than chucking in whatever malt, hops and yeast they fancy...
South African Beer Festivals and Events 2014
Here’s an ongoing list of the beer festivals/events still to come in South Africa in 2014. Please contact me if you know about something that I don’t. Thanks! Cape Town & The Western Cape CBC Oktoberfest When: October 3rd-12th, 10am-6pm Where: Cape Brewing...
Garagista Beer Co: More hype than hops?
So if you haven't seen the ad campaign put out by Cape Town's newest brewery, Garagista Beer Co., you really should do that before you carry on reading. It was picked up by advertising journals and sites around the world and provoked a fair amount of debate. Watch...
Beer review: Garagista Pale Ale
Garagista Beer Co’s debut beer is a pale ale brewed with American hops, though I‘m not sure I’d go quite as far as to call it an APA - think they held back a tad on the hoppage for that. That said, when you delve into the beer there is a pleasant whiff of guava –...
Food Craft meets Craft Beer: eat.art at Devil’s Peak
Those of you who follow me a little will know that I'm something of a fan of Cape Town brewery Devil's Peak. Those of you who follow the blog (or my Twitter account) a bit more intently might also know that I'm rather taken with the occasional dining experiences...
Bottling South African craft beer – what’s going wrong?
I've been meaning to get around to writing this post for weeks. Probably even months. There’s so much to be said, it’s tough to know where to start, so I’m just going to ramble on and ask you to join in. Grab yourself a cold one, for you could be here for a while....
Restaurant review: Hudsons Claremont
25 Protea Road, Claremont, Cape Town. Tel: 021 674 5152. theburgerjoint.co.za. Burgers R40-90. 440ml local craft beer R35-45. It seems like an odd location, tucked away down the side of an office building, but in fact Hudsons Claremont has a rather awesome view of...
Beer review: White Anvil
With a luminous straw colour, a lasting white head, great lacing and just the right amount of haze, White Anvil has the gorgeous witbier appearance nailed. A powerful whiff of perfume on the nose is backed up by coriander seed and just a hint of bread. Taste-wise,...
Jozi Craft Beer Fest 2014
Ever since the first Jozi Craft Beer Fest in May 2012, people have raved about the event. Until now I’ve never had the chance to attend one of the festival’s incarnations, but as the fourth edition rolled around, I was finally going to be in Johannesburg at the...