OnTap Magazine

ontapmag.co.za | Autumn 2025 | 27 Due to waning interest at Gold Reef City, the brewing equipment was relocat- ed to SAB’s “World of Beer” museum in Newtown, Johannesburg in 1993 where it stood as a working showpiece in their pub. Officially opened in 1995 by then-President Nelson Mandela, the SAB World of Beer stood as a monument to South Africa’s fa- vourite alcoholic beverage. However, times change, and the strategic imperatives of South Africa’s largest brewery meant that the Robert Morton equipment would be decommissioned and retired to a storage facility in Ga-Rankua, northwest of Pretoria. With the help of SAB royalty: Mike Wil- liams, Wayne McCauley, and Maurice Egan, the dormant brewery was purchased by Brewhogs in 2013. The equipment was completely refurbished, and re-established in Kyalami, where it stands today. Every part was stripped, cleaned, and either serviced, overhauled, or replaced entirely – ensuring the continued legacy of this special piece of South African brewing history. With the purchase of the brewing equip- ment, Brewhogs also came into possession of a filing cabinet full of original documents from its time at Gold Reef City. Included in this was a treasure trove of specification sheets, hand-drawn technical drawings of the equipment, newspaper clippings, sen- timental memos relating to historic South African events (such as the 1992 referen- dum and 1994 election), and brewsheets for Digger’s Draught. In 2022, inspired by the original brewsheets for Digger’s Draught, Brewhogs crafted the Heritage Lager as a nod to Joburg’s brewing history In January 2025, Brewhogs hosted the legend himself, Bill Higgins, at their prem- ises in Kyalami. Though he may be 85, Bill is still as nimble as ever and sharp as a tack. It was a poignant moment when Bill Higgins toured the brewery. As he paused to touch the original oak cladding on the vessels and reflect on the rich history of the equipment, he expressed his gratitude that the brewery had been restored and was still in use. The morning was spent reviewing old documents, many of which were written by Higgins himself. There may have been a happy tear or two as he flipped through the faded, yellowed pages that he had last seen four decades ago. The experience of- fered a meaningful connection to the past and a celebration of the enduring legacy of the brewery. Bill remained as head brewer at the Her- itage brewery for three years, before pass- ing the torch down to trainee brewers who continued to brew Digger’s Draught until the brewery was moved to the World of Beer facility. Beyond his work at the Heri- tage Brewery in Gold Reef City, he pursued a successful career in enzyme technology at Novozymes and later at Danisco/Dupont. As a long-time brewer, Bill is not afraid of a pint, so at 9am the first pints were drawn. He remarked that the beers brewed on the historic equipment were ‘very good,’ a meaningful compliment from the seasoned brewer. This equipment representsmore than just a means to brew beer. It is a piece of South African brewing history, and a testament to enduring craft of brewing and the skilled brewers who do so. And as such, each pint brewed on this historic equipment reflects its rich legacy. Brewhogs brewery is open to visitors during the week, offering a chance to ex- plore the history of one of South Africa’s oldest craft brewing systems. Brewhogs Today Bill Higgins Going to Kyalami Moving In Refurb