5 Epic reasons beer drinkers should get excited for 2019

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Welcome back, my crafty friends! Yes 2019 is here and you must forgive me for the slow start but the recovery from Decem-beer was a long one. Hangover excuses aside, I’m back in the saddle and charging into the New Year with a list of awesome beery things that are on the horizon. 

Let’s dive in! 

1. Mobile Canning

The can vs. bottle debate is one that has raged on for as long as I can remember. Bottles have had years of good PR but they aren’t really the best option when it comes to storing beer. Beer’s main enemies are sunlight and oxygen and cans provide better protection against both. The only problem is that canning lines are extremely pricey but mobile canning has the solution. Word on the street is that there is a new start-up business in the works that aims to give brewers the option to can by coming to them. It’s a win-win for both brewers and consumers with better conditions for beer meaning longer shelf-life and freshness.

2. South Africa’s first craft beer documentary

Brewing the Republic is a local craft beer documentary that has been two years in the making. It takes viewers on a craft beer journey from field to final product while visiting 40 breweries across the country. Unfortunately, it is not available on local screens just yet but the producers are working hard to get it there. I was lucky enough to watch a sneak preview of the film and if you are even remotely interested in beer then you’re going to love it. In the meantime, watch the trailer… 

3. More interesting style and collabs

If 2018 is anything to go by then we are in for a serious treat in 2019. We’re not even two months into the year and we’ve already seen South Africa’s first seven-way collab. A 10% Triple IPA monster called Super Power from Soul Barrel, CBC, Riot, Drifter, Devil’s Peak, Afro Caribbean and Aegir. We’re also seeing the fabled German sour and salty style, Gose (pronounced Gos-aah) making its way onto shelves. We’re also likely to see more international collab beers and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone tries to snag a collab with Garrett Oliver when he’s out here. 

4. Garrett Oliver is coming to South Africa

Garrett who? Only the Obi-Wan Kenobi of one of America’s best breweries, Brooklyn Brewery. He’s also the author of The Brewmaster’s Table which has revolutionised the way we look at food and beer pairing. Yup, he’s kind of a big deal and he’ll be coming to Cape Town as the keynote speaker at this year’s Craft Brewers Pow Wow. What’s the Pow Wow? Think of it as the Design Indaba for craft beer. It’s a three-day conference that brings homebrewers, brewers, industry leaders and fans from around the country together in Cape Town. Follow him on Instagram @igarrettoliver

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A post shared by Garrett Oliver (@igarrettoliver) on Dec 3, 2018 at 6:09am PST

5. A South African beer identity?

America has IPAs. Belgium has tripels and dubbels. England has bitters. Ireland has stouts. Could this be the year that South Africa discovers its true craft beer identity? Join me next time as I dive into this topic and give my two cents on the matter. 

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Images via Unsplash