Countdown to beer festival begins
PARKTOWN - The countdown to the Johannesburg Festival of Beer kicked off with a media launch at Parktown North's The Foundry.
Bloggers and journalists had the opportunity to learn more about the festival’s Cape Town origins, and food and beer pairings over a 10-course lunch.
Organiser Martin Tucker said he and his colleagues felt it was “the right time” for a Johannesburg leg of the festival, given the increased interest in craft beer.
“There are all sorts of festivals out there, but nothing for beer alone. We don’t call ourselves a beerfest, as we include all sorts of things related to beer, such as glassware, home brewing, and pairing food and beer,” he said.
According to Tucker, the Cape Town Festival of Beer had gone from strength to strength over the past three years, with the attendance increasing by an average
of 2 000 people per year. Brewer participation also increased year on year.
“At the first festival, we showcased between 60 and 80 beers. This year, we showcased 153 different beers,” he said.
Speaking about the differences between the two cities, Tucker said that while Cape Town had breweries and vineyards, Johannesburg has the people and brew houses or brew pubs. He confessed that Cape Town “has some catching up to do”.
The food and beer pairings included beer-battered fish and chips served with Franky Four Fingers, salmon gravlax paired with CBC Amber Weiss, slow roast pork belly with Darling Slow Beer, beef tartar with Robson’s Pilsener, lamb royale burgers paired with Citizen Alliance, and strawberry Eton mess served with Lindemans Pecheresse.
Sean Watts of Drayman’s Brewery and Distillery, and Andre de Beer of The Cockpit Brewhouse offered insights into their experiences as brewers, the process of brewing beer, and the taste profile of some of their products; De Beer describing his Black Widow stout as “black as my mother-in-law’s heart”.
“We were thrilled by the reception in Johannesburg, and we hope for a sell-out event,” said Tucker.
The Johannesburg Festival of Beer will take place from 6 to 8 September at Pirates Sports Club, Braeside Road, Greenside.
Details: www.joburgfestivalofbeer.co.za; www.webtickets.co.za
