OnTap Magazine

With the warm, busy days of summer behind us, and with the cooler days of autumn ahead, it certainly is a time to look back, and to look forward. Autumn has always been a season of taking stock. The past few months saw much beer celebration. We saw the end of a very busy year for BASA, in which a number of successful campaigns and initiatives were completed. Then, the holidays were often celebrated with a glass of beer. South African Beer Day, now a fixture on the calendar, was also enjoyed on 3 February. BASA and its members have always championed responsible celebration and considered drinking. We carry this cheerful energy with us into the new season. Energy is one characteristic that defines Hester Bergh, a beer marketing and business expert you can read about in this edition of On Tap. It is with the same sense of optimism exhibited in that profile piece, that a broad sketch of the current state of the craft beer industry is offered as well. The Craft Brewers' Association of South Africa (CBASA) gives readers some survey insights that prove to be quite interesting. If you are going to enjoy a Corona at any time in the coming season, make sure, when it is served with the traditional lime, you should think of the massive investment SAB made in lime farming in South Africa. A remarkable initiative. And whether you like a craft beer, a Corona, or Umqombothi - there is always a place for you in the South African beer space. In this edition, we take the time to thank and acknowledge United National Brewers (UNB) as the main manufacturer Umqombothi, and a new member of BASA. As an expanded and united voice, BASA will continue to advocate for the responsible advancement of the interests of beer manufacturers, and to tell the story of beer and responsible beer culture. A LETTER FROM THE BASA BOARD 6 | Autumn 2024 | ontapmag.co.za