OnTap Magazine

NEWS Toast Ale, a beer with a social conscience, has launched in South Africa. The idea is simple – the beer uses recycled bread to supplement the malt bill, with about a third of the malt being substituted for bread otherwise destined to rot in a landfill. According to the team behind Toast, 33% of bread in South Africa goes to waste, so they have partnered with Knead and Sandwich Baron to turn those discarded crusts into a pale ale. The beer is brewed at Devil’s Peak and uses around 250kg of otherwise unwanted bread in each batch. Toast Ale was born in the UK and the concept was brought to South Africa by local entrepreneurs Bianca Hansen and Jaen Beelders. As well as finding a home for unloved bread, the enterprise also supports local non-profit, Soil for Life, which helps build sustainable food gardens and teaches people to grow their own food. TOAST ALE LAUNCHES IN SOUTH AFRICA Kommetjie-based brewery Little Wolf has moved operations to Devil’s Peak’s new Epping site after entering into an equity deal with the larger brewer. Little Wolf’s founder, Stefan Wiswedel, retains the majority share and continues to brew his beers, including the popular Hoppy Wheat. Stefan admits that it wasn’t a particularly difficult decision. “It’s about access to sales and distribution of course, but above all it’s about quality,” he says. ”I can now trust the shelf life of my beers. No matter what I did at my brewery I couldn’t get the dissolved oxygen below 500ppm, so the beers had a short shelf life and were never going to travel well. Now I could happily ship to Jo’burg – partly because I have access to the distribution to do it but also because I totally trust the shelf life of the product.” Alongside the beers, Little Wolf also produces Hibiscus Cider, Virgin Cider and Tonic Water. DEVIL’S PEAK Beer lovers on the Garden Route can head to newly opened bar The Crafty Half to get a taste of local brews. Launched by homebrewer and beer aficionado Don Johnstone, the idea is not to bring brews from around the country to the area, but to celebrate beer that’s being produced locally. “After doing a little research I discovered that there are currently 11 licensed craft breweries between Mossel Bay and Jeffreys Bay, including Oudtshoorn,” says Don. “An opportunity then arose to open the bar in conjunction with the Peppermill Café in the Crags.” The Crafty Half now has more than 40 bottled beers on offer from seven Garden Route breweries. There are plans to add beers from another two breweries soon and Don’s ultimate goal is to open a small brewery of his own. The pub, which has outdoor seating and a kids’ playground, is on Monkeyland Road in the Crags. Food is available at The Peppermill Café next door. GARDEN ROUTE GETS A NEW BEER BAR LITTLE WOLF JOINS On Tap / Autumn 2018 / 11