OnTap Magazine

i q u o r L i c e n c e • • L i q u o r L i c e n c e • GOING PRO I recently attended a workshop organised by the National Liquor Authority and as the presentations progressed, one question kept buzzing through my mind. It’s a question I am quite often asked: “why does the licensing process take such a long time”? This is never an easy or straightforward question to answer due to the various liquor acts (eight different acts to be exact) currently governing the manufacturing and sale of liquor in the country. But I will attempt to highlight the various steps in the license application process, focusing on Gauteng and Western Cape, with the hope that it could make the process slightly easier to follow. In South Africa, we have the Liquor Act 59 of 2003 which regulates the macro manufacturers such as AB InBev and Heineken, as well as all distributors, large or small. Then we have the different provincial liquor acts regulating micro manufacturing (craft brewing/ distilling) and retail outlets, whether they are on- or off-consumption. Want to start up a microbrewery in South Africa? Perfecting your recipes and designing the perfect label is only half the battle – the real challenge can often be getting a licence, so you can actually sell your wares. Veteran brewer Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela takes a look at the application process. HOW TO: APPLY FOR A LIQUOR LICENCE 50 | Winter 2018 | ontapmag.co.za