The bi-annual Stellenbosch Craft Beer Festival was back this year and did not disappoint.
It took place in Stellenbosch, beneath the tall trees of the picturesque Jan Marais Nature Reserve for an afternoon filled with cold drinks, delicious food and vibrant live music.
There was no better way to soak up the last hints of summer before autumn sets in properly. With plenty of shade and seating areas beneath the 200-year-old pine trees, and a gentle breeze that cut through the heat, it was the perfect family-friendly atmosphere for a day outdoors.
On entry, attendees were equipped with a branded beer mug or cup and were left spoilt for choice as to what drink to try first. There was not only craft beer on offer, but also craft gin, rum, agave-based spirits and flavoured alcoholic seltzers. For those who opted out of a boozy day, there was a non-alcoholic cocktail bar, freshly pressed juices and coffee on offer.
As the drinks kept flowing the food stalls got busier. From pizza to crispy chips, fresh steak rolls and a choice of different wraps, there was something tasty to satisfy every craving.
A crowd favourite was ‘gin-pong’ where players had a choice of two different craft gins mixed with a tonic to play with. It made for friendly competitions between friends and provided heaps of excitement for surrounding spectators.
Another activity was the ‘nail and hammer’ drinking game. A little more technical than beer pong, it involved flipping the hammer in the air and trying to hit another player’s nail into a wooden stump. The last to have their nail not completely hammered in won.
The crowd was energised by the various bands who played all day. Sons of Selassie, the first and longest surviving reggae band in Cape Town got the whole crowd singing and dancing along to Bob Marley’s Don’t Worry. Free t-shirts and seltzers were also being handed out to those who had the best moves on the dance floor.
The next Stellenbosch Craft Beer Festival takes place in October.
Pictures: Getaway gallery / Chloe Cowley
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