Back when I lost my testicles in what some call a “relationship” but I call a “knife fight for my soul with a venus fly trap”, I stopped drinking beer. I can’t explain why but I just lost my love for the taste of the stuff. I realize that you’re reading this from your desk right now, having thrown up on yourself; partly because of your disappointment in me, and partly because you’re on Beer #14 for the morning. It’s ok. I’ll wait while you clean yourself up.
Done? Alright.
Then you’re probably ready to here about this: The very first Jozi Craft Beer Fest is here!! Next Saturday the 26th of May, 17 craft breweries from across the country are coming together at the Pirates Rugby Club in Greenside to give us the one thing we can never have enough of: hangovers! We spoke to organizer Jason Cederwall about the event and can hook you up with free double tickets. Take the jump.
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AD: A beerfest isn’t anything new in Jo’burg. This is the first ever Jozi Craft Beer festival, however, so tell us a bit about the motivation to throw this event? Why’d you do it and why now?
Jason Cederwall: This all started off with the limited availability of craft beer in Jozi and really wanting to promote the craft beer industry as a whole. We (South Africa) has some incredible micro breweries and our vision is really to educate South Africans that beer is more than just beer. Craft beer is one of the single biggest trends in the world at the moment and us Jozi folk have yet to have a real opportunity to taste the finest craft breweries that South Africa has to offer all in one space.
AD: This kind of thing is usually a welcome break from “real life” and gives everyone a chance to get stupid drunk on good beer. What can we expect from the day?
Jason Cederwall: We will have 17 microbreweries from all over South Africa showcasing over 50 different beers. As part of your entry fee, you will be given a branded beer mug with various levels on, which will enable you to sample as well as indulge in a full glass! The design and layout of the fest won’t be your traditional beerfest that most folks will be used to. We will have hay bale seating, exposed pallets for tables and acoustic live music to keep the energy levels up. We going back to the bootlegging days of brewing!
AD: There are lots of local breweries involved, which is great. How’d you guys get that right?
Jason Cederwall: Like I’ve mentioned, South Africa has incredible micro breweries but lacks the platforms to be able to showcase the true art of craft brewing. So when we approached the breweries about wanting to host a craft beer festival in the heart of the Jozi suburbs, the response was incredible!
AD: We know there’ll be some entertainment on the day. We’ve heard whispers of Shortstraw and Shotgun Tori. Anyone else we can get excited about?
Jason Cederwall: That’s right. We have a full live entertainment lineup for the day which will include Shotgun Tori, Gil Hockman, Eddi Privat, Float Parade, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Yo Grapes and Shortstraw.
AD: So it’s Jo’burg, it’s gonna get a little rough and people are gonna need their stomachs filled. What can we expect food-wise?
Jason Cederwall: We’ll have some of Jozi’s favourite eateries at the fest, including Great Dane gourmet hotdogs, The Good Luck Club serving up various stir fry options & spring rolls, Wolves Café offering their famous cupcakes, Heversham Farms’ free range sirloin & pork rolls and What Up Ribs dishing up the best ribs in town!
AD: Family folks can bring their kids along for the beerfest. What’ve we got in store to keep them busy while everyone else is sampling the beer?
Jason Cederwall: A fully secured kids area with games and professional child minders will ensure kids have as much fun as mom and dad!
AD: Have you had a chance to sample all the beers? Do you have a favorite?
Jason Cederwall: Oooh, that’s like asking to pick your favourite child! As they say, there is no such thing as bad craft beer so I’m going to sit on the fence on this one and let the festival attendees pick their favourite one.
AD: If someone’s trying to keep the beer gut trimmed down, which beer should we be going for here? We’re asking for a friend.
Jason Cederwall: Well, I think the diet can start on the Monday after the fest! Generally though, lagers have the least amount of calories compared to other beer styles.
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For more info on the Jozi Craft Beer Fest, including the live music schedule and the list of brewers, check out their fb event page here, the Facebook page or at their website.
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GIMME-GIMME:
The Another-Day team is giving away a set of double tickets to the inaugural Jozi Craft Beer Fest!
All you’ve gotta do is tell us – in one simple sentence – why you love beer so damn much. Throw in the hashtag “#craftbeer” so we’ll count your entry. You can enter by replying right under this post, or on our Facebook or @AnotherDayJhb.
If you miss out here though, don’t despair. Tickets’re still available at Webtickets and at the door. It’s R100 per person, which will include your branded beer mug, and R50 for kids aged 3 to 18.
