Until yesterday, I thought beer drinking (as an art) was for the belching pot bellied middle aged man whose favourite stance is leaning over hot coals and sausage with a pair of greasy tongs clutched in hand. Not quite, though.
Cape Town’s first-ever Festival of Beer is being held at the Hamilton’s Rugby Club in Greenpoint this weekend, with three marquees filled with rows of stands serving both local and international beer. We tasted brews from Camelthorn, Napier Beer, Robson’s, Mitchell’s and Erdinger among others, served by friendly young ladies in short German dresses. There was a distinctive stout by Newlands Brewery concocted especially for the festival, but the boys over at Carling Black Label really asserted their presence with an entire marquee kitted for a party.
Set up on the far end is a stage where DJ’s and local musicians such as Me & Mr Brown, Charlie Summerfield, Louise Day and Justin Bergh, as well as the Sonscape Oompah Band tune the mood. Knead, Hudson’s, Paulaner Brauhaus and other savory-smelling eateries pitched stands to ensure that no one goes hungry.
Some of the guys brought skottel braais, while others participated competitively in the beer tasting contests.
The beer hall set up, odd bales of hay and frilled frauleins complimented the Oktoberfest feel, while the braais and rugby boets added a familiar South African twist.
This vibey festival drew a delightful brew of beer enthusiasts – both male and female – connoisseurs and youngsters out to get wasted. I even saw wedge-heels. Now that’s something you don’t expect to see as a beer event. Stereotype shaken.
