OnTap Magazine

TEN YEARS OF THE CAPITAL CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL FEATURE Trevor Gerntholtz, founder of the Fools and Fans Beer Festival in Greyton, takes a look at the iconic Capital Craft Beer Festival and its history. TREVOR GERNTHOLTZ A nyone involved in the South African beer industry will have heard of the legendary Capital Craft Beer Festival (CCBF). It kicked off in 2013 and was initially held at the Voortrekker Monument. Ten years later, it has become the biggest beer event on our calendar, taking place in the picturesque Pretoria Botanical Gardens. The festival takes place annually with the exception of 2020 and 2021, where the events were called off due to COVID. The festival is organised by Johan Auriacombe and his business partners, Niel Groenewald and brothers Willie and Henk van der Schyf. These guys have been involved in the staging of events since their school days and their years of experience really show. This year’s festival was simply magnificent... On this one special day, 10 000 people consumed over 22 500l of beer alone. This excludes of course the other beverages that were available. What is really impressive about the festival is that in spite of the big numbers involved, Johan and his crew (of 750 people!) manage to create a very intimate affair. There are several interlinking areas that create multiple smaller “kuier” corners. I also never felt hurried at any of the 40 brewery stands scattered around the grounds. It was great seeing old friends and making new ones with beers from around the country vying for attention. And as can be expected, the quality overall was fantastic. I was lucky enough to inveigle my way into the Worthogs homebrewers judging panel, which meant that we had to “taste” 26 beers before the real quaffing could take place. Warren Eades of Stumpnose Brewery in KZN won best of show with his “Yeah Buoy” IPA. Not only was his beer delicious, but his van stand was positively oozing “gees.” In addition to all the delicious beer on offer, there is always agoodselectionof tasty food offerings, as well as the “obligatory” festival tequila. Coupled with this, was an amazing selection of music, with headline act, Jeremy Loops, performing against the beautiful Highveld sunset as a backdrop. It amazes me how seamlessly the whole event is run, with tight security and ample parking. The festival organisers even collaborate with the Gautrain, City of Tshwane and Lift to try and help beer enthusiasts reach and depart the botanical gardens safely. I have known Johan since 2018 when I first attended CCBF as a beer vendor and since then we have become good friends. His enthusiasm and support for the South African beer scene is well known and respected amongst the brewer fraternity. Their restaurant, Capital Craft Beer Academy, has helped many small breweries create a following in Pretoria. I spoke to him following the festival and he was quick to point out that when it comes to CCBF the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. It is as if all involved have taken on ownership of the event and that it will continue to almost organically grow and perpetuate. It has become its own entity. He also said he has never enjoyed South African beer more. His greatest wish would be for his original 2013 festival goers to return in another 5-10 years’ time with their newly inducted beer drinking offspring. I can think of no better way for a beer community to grow. So, Johan, my big beer tjommie, a big thank you for your inspirational organizing and ongoing dedication to beer culture. Thank you for always creating perfect conditions, including weather, for beer appreciation. May next year be even more special! 30 | Spring 2023 | ontapmag.co.za