OnTap Magazine

FEATURE Hanging out in the hops What happens in Richmond... We chatted to a few Clarens loyalty cardholders – and one first-timer – to find out what it is about the festival that has people driving across the country to attend. No. of Clarens Fests: No. of Clarens Fests: No. of Clarens Fests: No. of Clarens Fests: No. of Clarens Fests: No. of Clarens Fests: No. of Clarens Fests: No. of Clarens Fests: No. of Clarens Fests: No. of Clarens Fests: ANGELIQUE KIESER, HOMEBREWER WENDY PIENAAR, JUST BREWING DAVE DIPPENAAR, HOMEBREWER DEAN LANGKILDE, HOMEBREWER MURRAY SLATER, FERMENTED RACHEL DU PLESSIS, ON TAP ART DIRECTOR GREG CASEY, AFRO CARIBBEAN BREWING CO. APIWE NXUSANI¦MAWELA, BREWSTERS CRAFT TREVOR GERNTHOLTZ, OLD POTTER’S INN BRENDAN WATCHAM, COPPERLAKE BREWERIES I’ve always wanted to go but just never got around to it until now. The brewery line-up, as far as I have heard, is awesome every year and it’s great to have them all in one town at the same time. The thing I’m most looking forward to though is having my beer on tap – I’m doing a collab brew with Copperlake. The relaxed picnic vibe makes it great for the whole family. We’ve been with grandparents, friends and our kids before! I plan a weekend away with mates which I don’t get to do all that often. Clarens is as good a place as any and knowing the organisers from before the festival was a thing means I have a sense of loyalty as well. The brewers are hand- picked and one can be sure of a quality product all-round. As well as the incredible setting, I love that it’s a beer lover’s pilgrimage, so you see many of the same people who have become great friends over the years. I also love that the whole Clarens experience goes on outside of the festival, with drinks, dinners, breakfasts and for the brave, even a ride or a hike in the mountains. Perhaps the biggest highlight is the people. Some people say you’re only as good as the beer you drink. Well I reckon you’re only a good as the people you drink beer with. What a privilege to be able to share this great occasion with so many legendary beer lovers. The Clarens beer fest is an experience, you get to try the best beer, meet amazing people and leave with stories for days. The whole town becomes devoted to craft beer, which is pretty amazing. And you get to see people that you haven’t seen since the last festival, like this great big craft beer reunion. Plus road trips are always too much fun… I’ve never been disappointed by Clarens. It’s not just one thing that makes it stand out but a combination of the scenery, the atmosphere, the warm welcome from locals and of course, the beer! It’s not just about tasting top beers from around the country but also the great sense of community you feel once you enter the festival grounds. It has almost become like a family reunion, extending into the evenings with shindigs at friends’ residences. There is just no festival quite like Clarens! Where do I start? The setting is beautiful, there’s an electric atmosphere and having the fest in the square gives people alternatives where they can go shopping or eat at a local restaurant. The brewers are screened and carefully chosen to ensure great quality, the organisers are extremely efficient. And best of all, no one asks for something that tastes like Castle Lite!!! The road to Clarens 28 | Summer 2019 | ontapmag.co.za