Cape of Good Hops
Every now and then people say that “it is impossible to grow hops in South Africa! We do not have enough sun hours for the hops to grow“.
That might be true if you want to grow the same kind of hops grown in the northern part of Europe, US or Southern Australia/Tasmania. But you do not need to do that because there are hops specially developed for less sun hours and the South African climate.
You could just go to SAB Miller hopsfarm in George to find out that it is possible to grow huge amount of hops in South Africa (another way to find out is to take the Outeniqua Country Hop Route).
Check out Beer Legends if you want to learn more about these special hop varieties (like Southern Brewer, Outeniqua, Southern Star (a descendant of Outeniqua) and Southern Promise (a descendant of Southern Brewer).
Beer in southern Africa
I think it is safe to say that the craft beer revolution has come to South Africa. The last two years have been really intense. A lot of new breweries and a lot of new and interesting beers. Locally produced and good quality products from small and independent breweries. But what about the neighbouring countries? Has the revolution spread into more countries in southern Africa?
In 2011 we scouted Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe and the result was a bit disappointing. To be frank it was more or less non-existent. Camelthorn Brewery is the only micro-brewery in Namibia and the only micro brewery in Zimbabwe that we know of is the Bespoke Brewers who serve their beers at the Harare Beer Engine. We did not find any micro-breweries in the other countries. SAB has breweries in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland producing beers like St Louis Lager (Botswana), Zambezi (Zimbabwe), Laurentina (Mozambique), Maluti (Lesotho) and Sibebe (Swaziland). East African Breweries and Namibian Breweries also have some large productions in many of the neighbouring countries.
These “giants” produce some fairly good beers according to style but maybe not the most innovative and interesting ones.
What have happened since 2011? I am sad to say. We had a “scout” in Zimbabwe a couple of months ago and the result is pretty much the same.
Bardwell Brewery
Do you want to hear about a new brewery plan? I do not know much but to the north west of Nottingham Road, close to the Lesotho border and the Wits End Mountain Resort you could soon be drinking beers from the Bardwell Brewery.
The brewery will be in the Cathkin Park area in Central Drakensberg.
I let you all know when I know more about Mr Bardwell’s brewery plans. Please let me know if you know anything more about Bardwell Brewery.
The press release from Jolie360 about the Boston Breweries launch of Loaded Cannon Ale at Taste of Cape Town!
—— PRESS RELEASE —–
Chris Barnard, owner and chief brewer of Boston Breweries and Russ Meyer who heads up Sales and marketing felt that Taste of Cape Town would be the perfect platform to launch their newly rebranded craft beer, Loaded Cannon Ale, previously known as Hazzard Ten Ale. Boston Breweries is just one of the many Brewers that will be part of The Craft Beer Project at the Taste of Cape Town. This will see them launch these ‘big boy’s beer’ amongst some of South Africa’s finest brews!
Boston Breweries Brand Management Company Jolie360 was tasked to rebrand their Hazzard Ten Ale. Through various social media competitions on a national level the name ‘Loaded Cannon Ale’ was finally settled on. The name and image of the cannon is a perfect fit and celebration of one of Cape Town’s iconic images, The Noon Gun. Particularly since this is classed as a beer with a bit of a punch at 10% alcohol percentage.
If you’re a fizzy yellow beer drinker this is definitely not for you. With an alcohol content of 10% it is one the strongest beer brewed in South Africa, the most defining character however is its flavour. It is dark red in colour, has a thick creamy head, and a strong malty character. The sweetness has been balanced by adding large amounts of hops to the beer after fermentation, a process called dry hopping. It’s definitely the beer that is the most fun to make. Available in 330ml bottle.10% ALC/VOL
Russ Meyer, “We are very excited to launch Loaded Cannon Ale at such a well established event such as Taste and encourage the public to come along to the Craft Beer Project tent to come along and give it a taste”
| Boston Breweries Loaded Cannon Ale launches at Taste Festivals 2013 |
| When and where: Taste of Cape Town 2013 11th to 14th April Taste of Durban 2013 26th to 28th July Taste of Joburg 2013 26th to 29th September |
| Info: www.thecraftbeerproject.co.za |
The press release from Jolie360 about the Craft Beer Project partners up with Taste Festival 2013!
—— PRESS RELEASE —–
The Craft Beer Project proudly announced at a press launch held on the 11th February 2013 at The Boston Breweries Tasting Room their newly established partnership with the Taste Festivals for 2013. This exciting new collaboration will see The Craft Beer Project bring their own unique concept to that of the Taste Festivals. These include Taste of Cape Town 2013 11th to 14th April, Taste of Durban 2013 26th to 28th July, Taste of Joburg 2013 26th to 29th September and Taste of Christmas 6th to 8th December.
The brand new and most anticipated highlight of The Taste Festival will see The Craft Beer Project showcase a minimum of 18 taps of the best quality craft beer SA has to offer. Each Craft Beer will be expertly paired with different dishes from restaurants. “Beer pairing is quite a new thing,” says Greg Casey, co-owner of The Craft Beer Project. “And due to the increase in popularity at our signature food and beer pairing events we are now integrating it into the Taste Festivals.” Along with this there will be tutorials given by the brewers as well as Chefs making this one of the highlights the festivals in all 3 cities. Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase product to take home at the show.
Russ Meyer, co-owner of The Craft Beer Project “We are very excited to be collaborating with such a well established brand such as Taste and see the additional of our brand, The Craft Beer Project, as a natural fit and progression.”
| The Craft Beer project at Taste Festivals 2013 |
| When: Taste of Cape Town 2013: 11th to 14th April Taste of Durban 2013: 26th to 28th July Taste of Joburg 2013: 26th to 29th September Taste of Christmas 6th to 8th December |
| Info: info@thecraftbeerproject.co.za |
| Website: http://www.thecraftbeerproject.co.za/ |
| Contact: Greg Casey 0823391119 |
Brewers & Union and Arcobräu – Part two
A couple of months ago I wrote about Brewers & Union/Collective Sao Gabriel and the German brewery Arcobräu Gräfliches Brauhaus. The Bavarian brewery Arcobräu is the brewery behind the Brewers & Union beers. It has been kept a secret (more or less) until now. I want to be clear that it is nothing strange and odd about that. I respect the fact that Brewers & Union do not want to talk about their business deals in public. For me as a consumer it becomes a dilemma though. I care about ingredients, brewing methods and origin when it comes to beer (and food) and I want to know these things. I am not satisfied with “it is a good beer” because I want to know more.
When I looked through the Arcobräu range of beers and compared them with the Brewers and Union beers I found many similarities. In fact I found so many I just had to dig a little deeper. Later on I found a press release that confirmed what I was looking for.
Good to know when comparing beers
A ”good to know” fact is that printed ABV (alcohol %) on beer labels does not have to be exact. In fact the deviation could be up to 0,5 %. A beer with 5,2 % on the label could be anything between 4,7 % – 5,7 % .
Another good thing to know is beer styles. A Zwicklbier for instance is often an unpasteurised and unfiltered lager.
What did I found?
The Brewer & Union beers is not all “their own” beers but rather a rebranding of Arcobräu beers. The Brewers & Union Unfiltered Lager is a rebranding of Arcobräu Zwicklbier. The same goes with Brewers & Union Dark Lager that is a rebranded unfiltered Arcobräu Schloss Dunkel. I am not going to make a long list. You could make your own comparisons.
What do I think?
I do not really care if companies rebrand beers from others breweries unless they pretend it is their own. Arcobräu makes really good beers and I am glad that you could find that type of quality beers in South Africa. I am not going to comment on business deals and marketing strategies. I hope that Brewers & Union starts to develop their own range of beer.
Devil´s Peak is moving
Devil´s Peak Brewing Company is moving to Durham Avenue, Woodstock, Cape Town! A nice looking house with a great view over Devils´s Peak and Table Mountain.
Devil´s Peak and Woodstock Brewery bought the old Paulaner brewing equipment last year and soon the two breweries will (almost) be neighbours in Woodstock. The new Devil´s Peak Brewery is close to Albert Road/Gelb Lane where Woodstock Brewery is building their brewery. There will only be 1 km for you to “walk” from one place to another (with the NeighbourGood market at the Old Biscuit Mill inbetween).
Location: Durham Avenue, Woodstock, Cape Town (soon)
Website: http://www.devilspeakbrewing.co.za/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Devils-Peak-Brewing-Company/307661379315121
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DevilsPeakBC
Google+: https://plus.google.com/106981749677060865626
