OnTap Magazine

Marius Deetlefs – founder and head brewer BREWHAHA JEFFREYS BAY What’s been the highlight of the past five years? The highlight for me personally was when we were invited to the SANBT in 2018 and 2019. It was a big deal for the brewery and for the locals of JBay that are hard core followers. I always say it’s one thing if your mama thinks you make good beer, but a total different story when beer judges agree with her... Have you had any major brewing flops since 2016? We’ve had our fair share of brew day disasters, but there is one that stands out from the rest. We were brewing our American Wheat that fateful day in June when we heard that the power was going to be off for some emergency repair. We had 20 minutes to pump the beer over to the fermenter…. Everyone was running around like headless chickens to connect pipes and start the pumps in a very, very panicked state. With the pump running and our eyes on the clock we shared fist bumps and high fives. Only then did I realise that we were pushing the beer into the wrong fermenter... Our German lager became somewhat of a hybrid with the infusion of sweet wheat wort... Who are your fantasy five? Jesus (I have quite a few nagging questions for him). My Dad, Blikkies, who died when I was 12. I often wonder if he would have loved my beer. Elvis Presley – I visited Graceland and I was touched by his life and his generosity. Nelson Mandela – a powerful force with a kind heart that changed our country’s future. And finally Richard “Dick” Winters, who commanded The list of breweries and brands that launched in 2016 is long. Some have withered away while others have flourished. Buchanan’s Brewery Moving from founder Rod Buchanan’s family home outside Tulbagh to a guest farm north of town, Buchanan’s has slowly grown since 2016, adding new beers and gaining a loyal local following. Join for a tasting, a pint or a beer and chocolate pairing. Dissident Beer The contract brand travelled around a bit before finding a permanent home on tap at Banana Jam Café in Cape Town. The sole beer – a British golden ale – has won a number of awards. Featherstone Brewery Founded by Mark and Clare Riley in 2016, the first – and only – craft brewery in Makhanda (Grahamstown) was taken over by Entrepid Brewing founder William Yell in 2020. Maskam Brewing Company Flying largely under the radar since 2016, Maskam serves wood-fired pizza and their approachable ales at a family-friendly brewpub near Vredendal. Spilhaus Brewery Throughout its five-year existence, the Cape Town based contract brand has won a number of awards both for the beer and the branding. FIVE MORE TO TOAST It’s one thing if your mama thinks you make good beer A toast to Marius at his cheery brewpub Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division during WW2. His life was featured in the 2001 HBO series Band of Brothers. What’s the one thing you’d like to see the brewery achieve in the next five years? First goal would be to survive the Covid restrictions and bans. After that I would love to increase output and be more of a force with innovative and experimental beers. To become more of a destination experience, and finally to kick the bottles to the curb and start canning. Can you describe your perfect beer in exactly five words? Multidimensional. Hoppy. Aromatic. Consistent. Nostalgic. Brewhaha is loved by locals and tourists alike 30 | Spring 2021 | ontapmag.co.za