As summer slips away, the Southyeasters are hosting a farewell to fine weather with their annual beer festival. The festival, organised by Cape Town’s home-brewing club, is entering its seventh year and the increasing popularity of the event is a testament to South Africa’s ever-growing love affair with beer.
It’s come a long way since 2006, when just 25 people congregated at Boston Breweries to sample the home-brewed wares of half a dozen beer enthusiasts. This year, organisers are expecting 25 brewers to serve up their bitters, IPAs, stouts and speciality beers to around 250 worshippers of the amber nectar.
Last year’s festival was a huge success, a laidback and friendly affair attended by true beer lovers, rather than people simply looking to get drunk. The R50 entrance fee includes a branded glass and the chance to taste beers made using the various home-brewing methods – kit, extract, partial mash and all-grain. Emphasis is on the word taster though – this is not an all-you-can-drink event, but a chance to see the often amazing beers that you can make in the comfort of your own kitchen with just a few basic bits of equipment. Brewers donate their beloved beers simply to share their hobby and will be pouring 50ml measures to make sure there’s enough ale to go around. To take the pressure off, SAB beer will also be on sale at a reduced rate (all proceeds go to supporting the club and their chosen charity) to ensure the booze keeps flowing.
Along with your glass, you’ll get a pair of marbles which, when you’ve finished jiggling them around in your pocket for the afternoon, are your way to vote for your favourite brews. Prizes for the brewers are sponsored by African Home Brewing and SAB. There’s also a new contest this year, the Wolfgang Cup, named for the friendly Paulaner brewmaster as a thank you for donating his Cape Town Festival of Beer winnings (a variety of malt and wheat) to the Southyeasters – a true demonstration of beer love. The judging panel comprises an eminent trio – SAB trade brewer Denis da Silva, Cape Winemaster and home-brewer Mary Lou Nash of Black Pearl Wines plus charming, intelligent and witty beer writer – me!
To soak up the tasters, Boerie rolls will be available as well as pulled pork sandwiches from local beer mecca Banana Jam and you can guarantee a relaxed and unpretentious afternoon of beer chat, welcoming faces and some superb booze. I’ll drink to that!
Only 250 tickets are available, so advance booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. Email Analize at [email protected] for tickets.
The festival will be held at Newlands Brewery on April 14th from 10am to 4pm.
Keep up to date with local beer events on the Southyeasters’ Facebook Page.
