OnTap Magazine

ontapmag.co.za | Winter 2025 | 51 You've been on the 'craft' scene for over a decade. Can you tell us what you think has changed in that time? Over the past decade, the beer has just gotten really, really good! Our local brewers are now making beers that can stand proudly on the international stage any day of the week. We started quite far behind the American scene, but I feel that, creatively, we've caught up incredibly fast. From your perspective, what are craft beer's greatest challenges in South Africa, and what might be done to address them? I think a lot of people are still feeling the after-effects of Covid and are playing it safe. But the truth is, playing it safe is not going to help you survive in the long run. If you keep holding back, someone else is going to eat your lunch. I'd really like to see more craft brewers taking risks and putting in the work to break into new markets. There's huge potential in the mainstream market and especially among female beer drinkers. If we want the industry to grow, we need to be braver, more innovative, and more inclusive. What is exciting to you right now about the industry? I'm grateful that South Africa's incredible craft beer industry is finally getting more recognition internationally. That recognition has been driven by several factors. International suppliers are doing more trade visits in South Africa, platforms like BeerEx and Beer Boot Camp are creating valuable connections, and our world-class judges are representing us at international festivals. Looking ahead, I'm really hoping we can start producing more ingredients locally. At the same time, I'd love to see better deals being made with international brands so we can ship directly, rather than going through multiple middlemen just to access essential products. That would make a big difference for both quality and cost in the long run. What can the reader expect from the Capital Craft Beer Academy in the next couple of months? We've got some exciting things brewing, literally. At the end of June, we're launching a very special collaboration beer called The Hops Must Be Crazy. It's a joint effort with Yakima Chief Hops, Capital Craft, OC Brewery, Chopper One Brewing, and a bunch of other industry legends. It's been an amazing project and we can't wait to share the end product with everyone. Not long after that, we'll be hosting our annual Texan Smoked Meat Fest, which is always a crowd favourite. Think slow-smoked meats, big flavours, cold beers, and a proper feast for the senses. There's plenty to look forward to at Capital Craft over the next few months.