OnTap Magazine

BREW CHESTER Just a few days before his sudden passing in September of this year, rugby legend Chester Williams launched a duo of beers. Chester worked with a Cape brewery and Japanese importers to create an IPA using German and South African hops. Although the IPA (7% ABV) was initially brewed to export to the Japanese market, limited quantities have been shipped to select South African liquor stores, with proceeds going to the Chester Foundation. A second brew, Chester’s Lager (3.8% ABV), is available in 340ml and 660ml bottles at certain Western Cape stores. SA SHELVES LAGER HITS WILLIAMS “It is an objective fact that all the highest rated South African breweries on Untappd are largely unavailable and most of themare struggling for solvency,” says Frontier Beer’s Brendan Hart. “The industry is not particularly friendly for independents right now, certainly through traditional channels like tap space or bottle stores,” Brendan says, “so we have developed a really robust online sales platform.” The online shop – www.bestcraftbeer.co.za – will stock a carefully curated selection of bottles and cans from around South Africa. The site launched with beers from the highest-rated breweries in the country according to Untappd. Listed brands so far include Aegir Project, Soul Barrel, Richmond Hill, Little Wolf, Agar’s, Friar’s Habit and Frontier. “We will also list beers from producers outside of this core stable that have a track record with something special, for example, Harambe Black IPA and beers from Afro Caribbean,” says Brendan. NEWONLINE BEER STORE LAUNCHES TAP ROOM OPENINGS After a long battle with some particularly tangled red tape, the Valley Brewery taproom has opened in Kommetjie. The unpretentious taproom pours pints of a range of beers from the adjacent brewery, including Lakeside, Shields, Spilhaus and of course, Valley’s own ales. --------------------------------------------------- Big Sip Co, Botswana’s first craft brewery, launches their taproom on 5 December. The first floor tasting area, which overlooks the brewhouse, will be open for special functions and is available to hire. Read more about Big Sip on page 8. --------------------------------------------------- Kennel Brewery has closed their Paarl taproom and will be opening a tasting space close to the brewery in January. The Taproom, Bar & Grill will open in Durbanville in partnership with the Boer and Butcher. As well as Kennel’s canine themed range, the taproom will serve the Boer and Butcher’s Cape Rebel Ale and Cape Rebel Craft Lager. --------------------------------------------------- After a year without a physical home, Ukhamba Beerworx has opened a new restaurant in Claremont, Cape Town. Found on Main Road, the bar will serve other local craft beers alongside Ukhamba’s core range, with shisa nyama on hand to soak it all up. --------------------------------------------------- In Bloemfontein, Stellar Brewery has opened a sleek taproom, currently open on Friday afternoons and for private events. Stellar Brewery's sleek new taproom 12 | Summer 2019 | ontapmag.co.za