Spring is springing and with it comes a season of festivals for beer lovers in the Cape Town area. Here’s a rundown of where to get your festive-ale fix over the next few months.
September 3rd & 4th – Toffie Food Festival, Cape Town City Hall
The hotly awaited festival is not just a foodie’s fantasy day out – there will also be a duo of speciality beers brewed by SAB and a food and beer pairing session led by SAB trade brewer Denis da Silva. Don’t miss the chance to taste the Toffo Cream Ale and Lerula lager – limited edition beers brewed solely for the festival.
Tickets are best bought in advance: 2-day all-access pas R1500+VAT, day pass R50+VAT.
September 6th – She said wine, he said beer, Tokara Restaurant, Stellenbosch
A great idea for a pairing evening – a standoff between Tokara wine and Brewers & Union Beer. The battle will take place over four courses with the winner of course being the diner, who gets to sample both grape and grain!
R450 per person, booking essential,
September 10th & 11th – Blue Bird Garage Barrel and Brew Festival, Muizenberg, Cape Town
A two-day event for lovers of boutique booze, the festival features garagiste wines, artisanal whiskies and spirits plus a range of local craft beers. Solid refreshment comes in the form of cheese boards, pies, sandwiches and other “finger licking nibbly bits”, which in itself sounds like a great reason to visit.
Entrance R30 at the door.
September 30th – We Love Real Beer Festival, NeighbourGoods Market, Woodstock
The third edition of this homage to craft beer will feature more beers than ever, including English-style ales from Mitchell’s, tangy cider from Everson’s, a superb Belgian style wit beer from Darling Breweries and the full complement of beers from Boston Breweries.
Entrance R50 at the door, includes a WLRB glass.
September 29th- October 1st – SAB Oktober Bierfest, Newlands Brewery (and from October 27th-29th at Montecasino’s Outdoor Event Area)
Buxom waitresses in Bavarian dress, oompah bands, banquet-style tables – oh, and of course gallons and gallons of beer. All the joys of Oktoberfest without having to take a plane to Germany. SAB is hosting Oktober Bierfests in Cape Town and Johannesburg, with SAB brewing three speciality beers for the occasion – Royal Bavaria Oktoberfest Bier, King Ludwig’s Munich Dunkel and Protea Edelweiss Krystal Weiss.
Tickets start at R75 and are on sale now.
October 14th-30th, Paulaner Octoberfest, V&A Waterfront
Once again Paulaner will host a two-week beer festival where revellers can sip some of the 9000 litres of Oktoberfestbier brewed on site just for the event and chow down on Bavarian goodies like pretzels and sausage.
Entrance is R50; bookings are being accepted.
November 25th-27th, Cape Town Festival of Beer, Hamiltons Rugby Club
Size doesn’t matter at the CTFOB – homebrewers, craft brewers and the big boys come together to quench a collective thirst. Over twenty breweries are currently signed up, boasting, more than fifty different beers in at least seven different styles.
Tickets now on sale: day pass R60, two days R100, three days R120.
December 8th-10th – Beer Essentials, CTICC (and Sandton Convention Centre from 24-26 November 2011)
Join experts for talks on the art of beer tasting and how to brew your own beer, enjoy the delights of a beer and cheese pairing and sample beer and cider both local and international.
Tickets are R110 each, which includes tasting tokens and a glass.
Did I miss something? If you know of any other beer events, please let the ever-growing beer community know in the comments below. If you’re hosting, or know of any malty, hoppy events elsewhere in SA, please please please get in touch!
