Beer has become increasingly popular over the last few years with the introduction of craft beer and the notion of being a beer connoisseur.
Beer grading and tasting has become a thing, just like wine tasting, and after all we are a nation that loves our beer, craft or not. And so with that, beer festivals are popping up like daisies in Springtime making it hard to keep up.
SAB has compiled a useful list of beer festivals that can keep your pint glass full all year around. Here is a list of beers for the whole of SA that takes us from February to December.
Get ready to diarise!
Underground Dinner Johannesburg
An opportunity to meet and mingle with arty, like-minded people, while enjoying dinner and craft beer (and other) together.
When: Friday 5 February 19:00 – 00:00.
Where: The Forum Turbine Hall, 65 Ntemi Piliso Street, Johannesburg.
Cost: R580 per person.
Buy tickets here.
Clarens Craft Beer Festival
Whether you are a pale ale, stout or cider fan, come enjoy a great experience in the Maluti Mountains at the sixth annual festival.
When: Friday 26 February 12:00 – 20:00 and Saturday 27 February 10:00 – 19:00.
Where: Clarens Village Square, Clarens, Free State.
Cost: R95 for Friday (Saturday tickets are sold out)
See website for more details.
Jozi Craft Beer Fest
The annual Jozi’s craft beer festival is back for those who like to share in the South African beer culture.
When: Saturday 07 May 2016 10:00 – 18:00
Where: Marks Park, Emmarentia, Johannesburg
Cost: R150 per adults, R50 per child and R150 per mug
For more information visit http://jozicraftbeerfest.co.za/
Cambridge Food Festival
A great funfair at Cambridge school, a day filled with events and activities. The festival will also have a variety of foods as well as a beer garden to attend.
When: Saturday 04 June 2016 08:00 – 17:00
Where: Mountain Cambridge School, Beethoven Road, Hartbeespoort, 0216
Cost: TBA
For more information visit http://www.themcs.co.za/cambridge-funfair/
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SA On Tap Craft Beer Festival
With over 150 craft beers, ciders, whiskeys and wines to choose from, this is the best South African brewers have to offer.Suitable for the whole family and there is also a child minding area.
Joburg
When: 09 April 2016 10:00 – 19:00
Where: Old Parktonian Sports Grounds, Johannesburg
Cost: R130 online or R150 at door
http://www.saontap.co.za/#!johannesburg-festival/c17xh
Durban
When: 30 July 2016 10:00 – 17:00
Where: Durban Amphitheatre, Durban
Cost: R140
www.saontap.co.za/#!durban-festival/c40c
Pretoria
When: 03 September 2016 10:00 – 17:30
Where: Pretoria Botanical Gardens, Pretoria
Cost: TBA
www.saontap.co.za/#!pretoria-festival/c1uoh
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BIERFEST
Voted as the “next best thing” to actually being at the Oktoberfest in Germany, the annual festival is the country’s largest festival of Bavarian bier culture.
Festival goers are encouraged to dress up, eat eisbeins and order jugs of craft beer. It is being held in all major SA cities.
The tickets are priced as follows:
VVIP: From R875 per person
VIP: From R445 per person
Bier Hall: R195 per person
Standard Bier Hall Ticket: R125 per person
Port Elizabeth Bierfest on 11 – 12 March
Friday 18:00 – 23:00
Saturday 11:00 – 16:00 and 18:00 – 23:00
Where: The Boardwalk Hotel and Casino Port Elizabeth
www.bierfest.co.za/port-elizabeth-bierfest
Pretoria Bierfest on 08 – 10 April
Friday 18:00 – 23:00
Saturday 11:00 – 16:00 and 18:00 – 23:00
Sunday 12:00 – 17:00
Where: Menlyn Park Shopping Centre
www.bierfest.co.za/pretoria-bierfest
Johannesburg Bierfest on 02 – 04 September
Friday 18:00 – 23:00
Saturday 11h00 – 16h00 and 18:00 – 23:00
Sunday 12:00 – 17:00
Where: Silverstar Casino Krugersdorp
www.bierfest.co.za/joburg-bierfest
Durban Bierfest on 30 September – 2 October
Friday 18:00 – 23:00
Saturday 11:00 – 16:00 and 18:00 – 23:00
Sunday 12:00 – 17:00
Where: Sibaya Casino
http://www.bierfest.co.za/durban-bierfest/
Sun City Bierfest on 10 – 12 November
Thursday 19:00 – 00:00
Friday 19:00 – 00:00
Saturday 19:00 – 00:00
Where: Suncity
http://www.bierfest.co.za/sun-city-superbowl/
Cape Town Bierfest on 02 – 04 December
Friday 18:00 – 23:00
Saturday 11:00 – 16:00 and 18:00 – 23:00
Sunday 12:00 – 17:00
Where: Newlands Brewery
http://www.bierfest.co.za/cape-town-bierfest/
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Cape Town Festival Of Beer
*date to be confirmed (late November)
Friday 12:00 – 23:00
Saturday 12:00 – 23:00
Sunday 10:00 – 19:00
Where: Hamilton’s Rugby Club
Cost: TBA
See website closer to the time: capetownfestivalofbeer.co.za/
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THROUGHOUT 2016
SAB World of Beer – food and beer pairings
Last Saturday of the month
12:00 – 15:00
SAB World of Beer, 15 Helen Joseph Street (formerly President Street), Newtown, Johannesburg
Special deals available on Groupon.
The new offering launched last year, the pairings resume in February again – in time for Valentine’s Day. Ladies, it is a leap year and your turn to spoil your man – a beer pairing is just the thing.
Beer lends itself naturally to being paired with food, and even seasoned beer drinkers will be delighted by the artistic fusion of the two.
Riversand Farm Village Market Johannesburg
A farm style market, where young and old can come enjoy a day filled with activities. From good food to craft beer and shopping, there is something to do for all. Taking place every Sunday and Public holidays
between 09h00 – 16h00.
At Riversands Farm, Fourways
No charge.
(Descriptions and info from SAB)