OnTap Magazine

IN BRIEF BREWNEWS The long-time American homebrewer-turned-hop merchant Ryan Huffman has launched his own beer brand on the outskirts of Jo’burg. Naked Face Brewing – named for the fact that Ryan is one of those rare beardless brewers – operates from the same premises as Three Stags in Jet Park. From late March they will offer five brews including a West Coast IPA, naartjie pale ale and a tropical wheat. Two local breweries have quietly closed their doors this year. After emigrating to Ireland in 2018, Two Okes owners Hennie and Ruth Kloppers tried to continue running the brewery from afar, but in January they announced that they would cease production. In Cape Town, Beer Masons’ Paddy Bauwens confirmed that their Diep River brewery was no longer operating, with all equipment up for sale. Darling Brewery’s majority shareholder, Dematech, is looking to sell their portion of the Swartland brewery and invites bids from those interested in investing in the brewery. Co-founder Kevin Wood said he is seeking an investor that would help the company expand their footprint within South Africa and reach a wider market. NAKED FACE BREWING LAUNCHES DARLING BREWERY SEEKS INVESTORS A COUPLE OF CLOSURES AlthoughCharlie’s Brewhouse initially opened in July 2018, until now they have served beers sourced from other Western Cape breweries. Happily, their own brewery is finally up and running and their four beers are now brewed on-site: bourbon stout, blonde ale, lager and APA. The brewery and restaurant sit overlooking the water in Port Owen, a suburb of Veldriff. A NEW BREWERY FOR THE WEST COAST