OnTap Magazine

G reg recently took the top spot at the Fools & Fans Homebrew Competition with his best bitter, and is the new president of the SouthYeasters Hombrewers Club. OT: When and why did you start homebrewing? GH: I was given a brew-your-own kit from BeerGuevara as a birthday gift, as at the time I was trying as much of the local craft beer as possible. In all honesty I thought brewing was fun but not the greatest experience. Fast forward a few years and with the availability of the all-in-one systems, interest was sparked that maybe this was more the way to go, especially in our space constrained kitchen. Plus it would mean I wouldn't blow up the stove (again). Lockdown really gave the impetus and time to get into the hobby full swing, and I haven't looked back. OT: What’s the best beer you’ve ever made? GH: Stylistically would be my best bitter, however some of my favourites are my stout and golden ale. I’ve recently being playing with a pilsner recipe, and refining the Weskis IPA with South African hops. OT: What is your biggest brewing disaster? GH: There are a number, from dropping the cooling water on the kitchen floor – 25 litres of water to mop up on a Sunday night – to having the grain basket fall into the kettle post-sparge, to drenching the washing machine in hot sticky wort. The list of fails I think covers the full spectrum of brewing disasters, but those are some of the more memorable ones... I also seem to have certain beers I brew that I reckon hate me, like the amber lager and NEIPA. I’ve had more disasters with those beers than I care to remember. Got them right a few times but somehow it usually goes wrong somewhere. OT: Describe your system in a sentence. GH: I have an all in one electric system which is a pleasure to brew in, with a side order of tech and telemetry on the fermentation side. Turned out I'm a bit of a mad scientist and quite handy with power tools. OT: Do you have any brew day quirks/ traditions? GH: Not really. I do go into the brew day with a plan in mind as to what needs to be done, the order and process, and how I want things to play out.... Planning and organization usually leads to dull brew days. OT: What would be your ultimate clone? That’s a hard question – there are so many good beers out there it’s difficult to choose just one…but if I have to, then it would be the Cape Town Brewery’s Nitro Stout. In fact, I’m trying to brew a clone of it for an upcoming competition with the Wijnland Club. MEET A HOMEBREWER Greg Harrowsmith, Cape Town Club: SouthYeasters and Wijnland 58 | Winter 2022 | ontapmag.co.za