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beers for our customers,” says Marc Fourie from Riot Beer. Mountain Brewing Company’s PG Groenewald agrees that it’s all about the customers. “What makes all the test batches, hard work, trial and error and expense worth it is the expression on a new customer’s face when they taste a beer we’ve put our heart and soul into”, he says. One fascinating aspect of craft beer is the broad range of brewery personalities, shapes and sizes, bringing much needed individualism into beer. There are over 200 breweries operating in the country, interpreting dozens of different beers styles. People have more choice than ever. There is also an intimate level of authenticity and accountability in craft beer. When you know the brewer down the roadwhobrews your beer, you have a much better chance of getting your voice heard. You can also see first hand the passion, effort and skill that went into making your beer. At Aegir Project in Noordhoek, brewer/ owner Rory Lancellas seems to know every customer by name. “We’ve always wanted to be more than just a business. This is our home and customers have become more than just patrons. We have loved the opportunity to create a community which we hope will continue to grow,” Rory says. QUALITY Craft beer is about showing people the whole world of high quality, interesting beers beyond just bland light lagers. Craft brewers believe in offering drinkers the highest quality beers in the world. On a recent visit to South Africa, world renowned brewmaster Garrett Oliver remarked that some South African craft beer had reached world- class standards that could stand up to any beers in international competitions. The range of flavours and ingredients you can find in craft beer is astounding. Granadilla, wild flowers, lychee, freshcut grass, toasted bread, banana, fresh coffee, dark chocolate, mango, peach, sauvignon blanc, lemon peel, bubblegum and toffee are only some of the flavours you can experience when drinking beer from your local brewery. CULTURE Another aspect of craft beer that makes it worth fighting for is the incredible culture woven into each beer. Beer has been an integral part of society since the dawn of civilisation. Over the centuries and across the globe, beer has been brewed according the adaptations and interpretations of the art and science available. Craft beer helps celebrate this cultural diversity by introducing people to drinking experiences from around the world. When you’re drinking an IPA here today, you’re drinking a beer developed in the 1800s in England, interpreted in the States in the 1980s then evolved and changed by brewers here in South Africa. Pilsners and lagers are also examples of beers that began in Western Europe centuries ago, spread around the globe then changed completely with technology. Craft brewers study brewing not only as artists and scientists, but also as historians, all in the pursuit of composing interesting drinking experiences. Beyondhistorical elements, there is an individual and local story to each brewery. Drifter Brewing Company is the story of a boat from the founder’s childhood, which travelled all over the world and returned home to Cape Town. Each brewery has a story around why it was started and what influences go into each beer. Take Brauhaus Afrika, near Rustenburg. Two of the founders discovered a soon- to-close brewery on their travels around South Africa and loved the beer so much they decided to buy the brewery, transporting it piece- by-piece from one province to another and going on to win various awards for their beers. LOCAL Craft brewing means independence. These breweries are small, local businesses that hire from their local community and serve as a gathering place. This community-driven approach brings beer back to its original purpose: to bring people together. For example, the Clarens Craft Beer Festival has provided a massive boom to local employment and attracts large numbers of tourists. It has become an iconic event that sees the town’s population exploding as beer enthusiasts from around the country arrive for the weekend. Beyond sharing beer, as businesses these small enterprises can often serve as a much-needed lifeblood to rundown manufacturing areas, and as centres of attraction in rural towns. The added tourism and jobs can have a significant impact, changing lives. “Brewing is hard work but I enjoy it,” says Jan Witbooi, brewer at Saggy Stone Brewery in Robertson. “It has changed my whole life because working in the brewery gives me more responsibility and it has changed my life financially. I have now bought a car and plan to send my children to a better school.” GROWING THE INDUSTRY Economic growth. Jobs. Rural development. Tourist attractions. Local manufacturing and agriculture. Big taxpayers. Cultural ambassadors. Craft breweries are literally a wish listofeverythingpolicymakers and stakeholders are trying to achieve. Many countries have increased the growth of small brewers by giving an excise break to small brewers. Can we hope to gain the same support here? How else can we support these small businesses trying to make a difference? The Craft Brewers Association of South Africa (CBASA) is a volunteer- led, nonprofit that works to unify and grow the craft beer community. We believe that great beer can change the world. Despite all the obstacles small brewers face, we can overcome them when we work together. If you believe like we believe and want to support small brewers, there are two things you can do. First, visit your local brewery. Small breweries need every customer they can get. Second, ask your local bar, restaurant and bottle shop to start carrying local beers. Craft breweries face incredible odds and numerous obstacles. They are a resilient bunch though, that will find a way to deliver you a delicious beer that not only brings a world of flavour to your doorstep, but also supports your local community. We can all cheers to that! For more information, please visit cbasa.org We believe that great beer can change the world ADVERTORIAL 22 | Summer 2019 | ontapmag.co.za