OnTap Magazine

to potential funders that not only is this about job creation, it’s also about harnessing resources and local creativity. “These mountains here next to me,” Obakeng says, gesturing to her right, “You can go there and pick berries and wild fruits and use them in your beers!” This gives, what she calls a natural “signature” to the beer. As part of her fundraising efforts, Beer is Art has done several collaborations with breweries in the US and Canada, all of which highlight the role beer can play in visual storytelling. With Torque Brewery in Winnipeg, Canada they made a beer showcasing the cave paintings made by the Khoisan. Those paintings were how the Khoisan captured their way of life for subsequent generations. Now Obakeng is looking to honor them and their story – on the can of a Saison. There were a few who felt that using an alcoholic beverage to portray Khoisan paintings was callous, in large part because of the more recent alcohol abuse issues in that community, but Obakeng is adamant that this platform is legitimate and respectful. She points to the very real disenfranchisement, exploitation and erasure the Khoisan community have experienced and maintains that sharing their history with a contemporary audience, even through beer, is an act of remembrance and respect. LOCAL SUPPORT Obakeng says the local brewery scene has been very supportive. Given limited funds in the industry, breweries have instead offered up their experience and space. On that point, she has focused her fundraising efforts on Europe and North America as, in her words, “it would be unfair to target the local breweries after we know what they’ve been through, with Covid,” and other challenges. Times are hard and she knows that resources here are scant. Obakeng thinks they may need to start with as few as five students and run something of a pilot program before hopefully expanding. “I can’t go to my grave without doing this. This is important. There is no money, we are struggling, but still we chase our passions.” This collaboration with Ebb and Flow was inspired by a story Obakeng heard from her grandparents growing up. It was about a half-human, half-snake named "Mamogaswa." Through this beer, Obakeng is sharing an "African folktale" with the world Collaboration with Gentile Brewing Co. in Massachusetts ontapmag.co.za | Winter 2024 | 23