OnTap Magazine

22 | Spring 2021 | ontapmag.co.za BREW 0 5 25 75 95 100 NEW BRAND CRAFT BREWERY Sedgefield Craft Brewery is under new ownership. Started in 2015 by Tony Hunter, the nanobrewery is located next to the long-running and well-loved Wild Oats market on the N2. Garden Route local Ross Elion actually took over the brewery late last year and has spent the various lockdowns working on recipes, expanding output and refurbishing the taproom. “We have taken the brewery from a 150-litre per day to a 300-litre per day final output,” says Ross. “We are busy with a big rebrand and taking the beer to market.” The taproom will serve up to 13 beers on tap and Ross will also be offering small-scale contract brewing. NEW OWNERS Johannesburg’s OC Brewery has teamed up with ex-SAB brewer turned industry consultant Danie Odendaal to create the Yeti Underground Movement – or YUM for short. The collab series seeks to inject innovation and break boundaries in the local craft beer market. “We will be trying to use new technology and different products within the beers to showcase selected ingredients, but the main focus is on pushing the boundaries and being as progressive as we can be,” says OC Brewery’s founder Gavin Marais. YUM will release a new beer each month with a small launch event at the brewery and can sales available online. The debut beer, Pear-a-Normal was released in early August and will be followed by launches on 4 September and 2 October. Anja van Zyl, former head brewer at Hey Joe Brewing Co. in Franschhoek, has launched her own brand, Nova Beer Project. “A nova is a bright star that shines brightly only for a certain amount of time,” Anja says. “We’re only here for a short time so we need to really make the most of it. Going solo is something I’ve been thinking about for quite a while so I’m excited to take the leap.” Nova, which will operate as a gypsy brewery, launches with a pale ale called Breakaway. “In cycling a breakaway is one cyclist that moves away from the peloton,” explains Anja, “and this is me moving away and branching out by myself.” The beers will all be inspired by Anja’s passions – cycling, hiking and camping. “The beers aren’t necessarily US- inspired or Belgium-inspired,” she explains. “I don’t want to limit myself that way. The beers are inspired by my adventures, kicking off with the Velo series, which will feature four beers all linked to my cycling journey.” Breakaway is available in cans from novabeerproject.co.za and Best Craft Beer, or on tap at Karoo Craft Brewery in Paarl. Read our review of the debut beer on page 64. FORMER HEY JOE BREWER LAUNCHES FOR SEDGEFIELD UNDERGROUND MOVEMENT WELL-KNOWN JO'BURG BREWERS UNVEIL YETI