People of the Northern Suburbs – listen up! I know you sometimes feel a little left out in the whole craft beer thing, so here’s a post especially for you (which is not to say that it’s not for everyone else as well, of course). This weekend, August 30 and 31, the second annual Capegate Craft Beer Festival is taking place, would you believe, at the Capegate Shopping Centre in Brackenfell. Here are five reasons to attend:

It’s not weather dependent

Beer fests in winter are always a bit of a gamble but luckily if that 10% chance of rain turns into something a little more likely, it won’t affect your festival fun in the slightest. The Capegate Craft Beer Festival is taking place undercover, so there’s no chance of raindrops diluting your pint.

There are some lesser-known breweries on show

If you feel that beer events in Cape Town are always filled with the same brewers pouring the same beers, you’ll be pleased to hear that the lineup features a few less familiar faces alongside some of your favourites. A dozen breweries will be in attendance: ABRU, Shackleton, Stellies, Lilypatrick, The Italian Job, Noon Gun, Kings Craft, Urban, Wagon Trail, Boston, Hopman and Jager (imported Latvian beers).

It’s a bargain

Those who think festival entry fees are getting out of hand will love the price tag – it’s just R75 if you buy in advance on Computicket (and R90 at the door). And if that isn’t enough of a bargain for you, your entry fee includes a beverage of your choice from any stand (there’s gin as well, by the way).

There’s live entertainment…

The live music kicks off at 7pm on Friday with Tasche’ Burger, followed by a set from Deep Soul at 8.30pm. On Saturday, Deep Soul play again at 2pm, followed by Chad Saaiman at 4pm.

…And some DIY fun

Head to The Italian Job’s stand to partake in the beer pong contest. All you need is three friends and R100 to buy a jug of beer. And if you’re more of a beer nerd that a beer pong player, you could just entertain yourself by posting pics and reviews of the beers you taste on social media – don’t forget to use the fest hashtag: #CGBeerFest.

But wait – there’s more! I have two tickets to give away for either the Friday or Saturday session. To enter, head over to my Facebook page and check out the pinned post. All you have to do to enter is to tag Capegate in the comments along with the person you’d bring along if you won.

The Capegate Craft Beer Festival takes place on 30 & 31 August 2019 at Capegate Shopping Centre (undercover parking at entrance 6). The Friday session is from 6pm to 10pm, while the  & Saturday session lasts from 1pm to 10pm.