OnTap Magazine

ADVERTORIAL It’s all smiles from the Saggy Stone team The craft beer revolution has changed how people think about beer and has potential to completely transform the industry. In South Africa, craft beer is still in its infancy, representing an estimated 1% of the beer category, but it punches above its weight in its impact on communities, the economy and in beer perception. Despite only being around 1% of total beer volume, craft breweries make up close to 10% of brewery jobs in South Africa, according to a recent study by Genesis Analytics commissioned by the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA). From 2015 to 2018, craft brewing generated over R3.9 billion of GDP contribution. Craft breweries often form as a gathering place for the local community, while contributing vital manufacturing and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) jobs. “The future of our industry and our country depends on investing in our people and creating vital manufacturing and STEM jobs,” says Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela from Brewsters Craft. “The craft beer industry is a great place to develop skills and experience.” Additionally, craft breweries are infused with a strong human element, acting as social and economic forces for good. When talking to brewers from across the country, you begin to understand what craft beer means to them. “Beer is an inclusive beverage that can offer anyone a bright future,” says Anton Trollip, head brewer at Cape Brewing Company. “Some of our coworkers come from tough backgrounds, but it’s not about where they come from. It’s their character that makes them successful here.” PASSION Craft brewing is made up of people whose passion about great beer infuses everything they do. Beer is an amazing world full of different ingredients, styles and cultures and craft brewers live to spread the joy that comes from savouring a world-class beer. “We don’t care about short-term shareholder value. Everything we do is completely focused on brewing world-class CRAFT BEER: A FORCE FOR GOOD 20 | Summer 2019 | ontapmag.co.za