OnTap Magazine

16 | Summer 2020 | ontapmag.co.za IN BRIEF STASH BREWERIES CLOSES, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Stash Breweries, based in Sasolburg, has announced its closure. “Wetriedtopushthroughandhopedthatthingswouldimprovebut that hasn't been the case,” said Stash’s Cuan Bishop. The brewing equipment, including a 1500-litre brewhouse, fermentation tanks, keg washer, keg filler and bottling line, is available for lease or sale. Contact cuan@stashbreweries.co.za for more information. ROUTE 62 BREWING CO CLOSES DOORS Based in Montagu in the Western Cape, Route 62 Brewing Co. has ceased trading. “Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on our tourism industry and we find ourselves in a situation where we have no alternative but to close our doors,” says owner Jon Hughes. The brewing equipment and building are up for sale and interested parties should contact Jon directly. Cape Town based Hopman Brewery and Grahamstown’s Entrepid Brewing have joined forced to launch a collab taproom in Sea Point: kwench. “Our aim was to enable small breweries to access the market without the outlay of investment not possible on their own,” says Hopman’s Mike Davies. “By collaborating on more than a brew, we are able to take advantage of the strengths of all the breweries involved.” As well as beers from Hopman and Entrepid, kwench will have regular guest beers, with PE-based Richmond Hill having a permanent tap. The food menu is kept simple, focusing on wood-fired pizza. The beer and pizza pairing board is a great way to kick off your visit. In a constant bid to be as environmentally friendly as possible, Mad Giant has launched a beer delivery service with reusable 500ml bottles. Think milkman deliveries, except better because these bottles are filled with beer rather than milk. Three of Mad Giant’s beers are currently available in the Extra Fresh initiative – lager, pale ale and IPA, with limited edition beers also included as they are released. Bottles are filled from tank and delivered the same day, ensuring super freshbeer. Beer prices start at R16 per bottle, plus a refundable bottle and crate deposit. Areas currently serviced include Bryanston, Blairgowrie, Melville, Morningside and Fourways – check out Mad Giant’s website for more info. Anheuser-Busch InBev, parent company to SAB, has invested R1.2bn in South Africa’s canning industry. AB InBev negotiated a deal with local can manufacturer Bevcan to export an additional one billion locally manufactured cans to its operations in South, Central and North America. Bevcan was severely affected by the lockdown alcohol ban and the investment will be a huge boost to the company. Cape Town based Aegir Project has unveiled a loyalty card, offering discounts and other benefits. The Aegir 100 card entitles holders to a 10% discount on all draught beers at both Aegir taprooms, limited edition branded merchandise, a four-pack of special release beers each month and exclusive invites to special events. Membership costs R2950 for a year, with a limited number of spots available. Continuing the popularity of cans as a preferred packaging format, a new mobile canning service has launched in KwaZulu- Natal. Mobican will fill the mobile canning gap in the province. Beers – and other beverages – will be canned on a CraftCan15 system from American Beverage Equipment. The setup fee is R1200, with the filling fee depending on volumes. OPENS IN CAPE TOWN BREWERY CLOSURES MAD GIANT UNVEILS FRESH BEER DELIVERY SERVICE LOCAL BREWERY & CO. SET TO OPEN IN 2021 Following the deep disappointment of having to cancel the festival in 2020, organisers of Fools & Fans have announced a date for the event in 2021. The laidback festival, held in the Overberg town of Greyton, will take place on March 20th, with SA’s first national homebrew fest, dubbed Homebrewers and Harlequins, happening the day before. Cape Town’s Woodstock region is about to welcome another microbrewery. Following constant setbacks in 2020, Local Brewery & Co. is planning to launch early next year. The brewery will debut with a pale lager and will also offer contract brewing facilities at its stylish taproom, probably boasting the longest bar in South African craft beer. COLLAB TAPROOM