Is beer the new wine? It certainly seems like it, with the sudden proliferation of beer festivals and artisanal beer producers in Cape Town.
The Cape Town Festival of Beer is right on this trend. As a food journalist and committed beer lover, I couldn’t miss it. And, sitting at the table in the beer tent drinking my micro-brewery beer in the afternoon sunlight yesterday, I was glad I didn’t.
If you’re seriously into beer, there are more than 50 beers to try at the festival from 20 micro-breweries, home brewers and mega breweries. Do some free tastings first before you decide on your tipple, and then buy a man-sized beer mug and sample the goods.
My favourite beers (unfortunately didn’t have time to try all 50 of them) were a light, fruity ale from Napier Breweries, a crisp lager from Darling Breweries, a stout from Newlands Breweries, especially brewed for the festival. A freezer-cold Grolsch also went down pretty well.
After working your way through the better part of 50 beers, you may want to buy something carb-laden. You won’t go hungry with food stalls ranging from Hudsons, Knead, ‘fast fresh pizza’, and a creperie.
Over the weekend, entertainment will come in the form of bands, beer master classes, braai competitions, taste-offs and tug of war contests.
It’s on today and tomorrow at Hamilton’s Rugby Club (right next to Cape Town Stadium) from 12 pm to 11 pm.
