OnTap Magazine

58 | Summer 2025 | ontapmag.co.za MEET A HOMEBREWER Taryn Stacey lives in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town and works for BeerGuevara as the Sales, Operations and Logistics Manager. What few people know about her is that she was a Makeup Artist before entering the world of beer. During COVID, friend and BeerGuevara’s Marketing Director, Antonie Spiers, asked Taryn to step in and help with the business as the alcohol ban was creating more home brewers by the minute. Fast forward five and a half years, and Taryn is not only still there, but she’s also winning homebrew competitions, including the recent All Ladies Homebrew Comp in August. We got to hear a little more about her entry into homebrewing and what she hopes to accomplish next. TARYN STACEY OT: When and why did you start brewing? TS: I am an extremely new home brewer. In fact, the first beer I ever brewed by myself was my 'Strawbeery Blonde' (yes, the spelling is correct!) that won first place at last year'sWomen's Day competition on August 9, 2024. I had slowly been learning about brewing and the beer industry through working at BeerGuevara and when Mother City Beer Project decided to put on this competition, Antonie encouraged me to finally have a go at brewing myself. OT: What's the best beer you have ever made? TS: My favourite was the Passion Pop I made for this year's competition. It was a passion fruit sour beer. OT: What is your biggest brewing disaster? TS: I decided to make a beer that I would like to drink, something fruity andgirly, so I basedmy recipeoff of SedgefieldCraft Brewery's Strawberry Blonde. I did not know too much about brewing beer with fruit, so I asked around for some advice and watched a few YouTube videos. I was focused on not getting an infection, etc. My first attempt at adding the strawberries to the fermenter went horribly wrong! The following day, I had strawberry puree wort all over my temperature-controlled cupboard. The sugars went crazy and caused a mini explosion. Surprisingly, through the clean-up, the beer survived. OT: Describe your system in a sentence (or two). TS: I am brewing on a 65L Brewzilla, but I have done half-batches so far (23L). OT: Do you have any brew day quirks or traditions? TS: Not really. I usually brew on a Friday but by Murphy's Law, it always turns out to be the busiest Friday. This then tests my multitasking skills! OT: What would be your ultimate clone? TS: Well, as mentioned, my first beer I brewed was a clone. I enjoy making beers I like to drink (light and fruity), but my husband LOVES a Guinness, so it would be interesting to try to clone that. OT: What is your main brewing goal? TS: My friends would love for me to open "Minky's Drinkies"! [Taryn’s cat is named Minky.] :) But, on a serious note, I don't have any brewing goals in mind. It would be cool to brew a winning beer in collaboration with a brewery, though (hint hint: maybe 1st place prize next year ;-) ). But for now, I am looking forward to Fools & Fans 9 and dinner with the Jester himself, Dr Trevor! OT: You took home first place at the second annual All Ladies Homebrew Competition on National Women's Day this past August. Does that kind of win impact your hopes and dreams around home brewing? TS: I really did not expect to win last year and then especially not again this year! But maybe it shows us we need more girly beers on the market :-)