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inDULGE: Words by Dylan Kohlstädt

My Bru?Enjoyi ng My Brew,

C r a ft B eer i s ta k i n g t h e wo r ld by sto r m - b u t i s i t a sto r m i n a t ea c u p?

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Craft beer is trending in a big way all over the world, so much so that craft breweries in the US are expanding faster than at any time since the Prohibition, according to the Huffington Post.

So what’s all th e h u llabaloo about? South Africa has a boom i ng beer i n dustry as it is; why add to it? Th ere’s an ever-growi ng grou p of dedicated enth usiasts who are answeri ng that qu estion every day.

Craft beer is growing steadily in South Africa, and although not quite at the level of our neighbour across the pond, the devotion and enthusiasm of the following is unquestionable. There are more than 40 craft breweries across the country, some brewing from plastic buckets in a garage, while others brew in shiny copper kettles. However, this one thing unites them all: a desire to brew something unique - be it a coffee stout or a more malty lager, a buchu blond or hop-laced IPA.

The term ‘craft beer’ sums up the process better than any other - it is beer that has been crafted instead of manufactured. Defined by the Breweries Association, a craft brewer is one that is small, independent, and traditional. Good things take time. An ‘industrial’ brew takes an average of six days to brew, where some craft beers take up to five weeks. With this in mind, it’s easy to understand why craft beer enthusiasts enjoy food pairing, as one would do with a good white or red wine. This is only possible because each microbrewery, having its own unique recipes, produce flavours and subtleties not found in conventional beer.

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So how is craft beer crafted? H ere’s just enough i n formation to piqu e you r i nterest - an d not enough to leave a smoki ng whole i n you r garage roof!

Stage on e: Craft brewing begins with malted barley and wheat kernels, which get lightly cracked by a grain mill.

Stage two: The cracked malt and wheat is then steeped in hot water in a large stainless steel vat called a mash tun, to produce a thick, sweet liquid called wort (pronounced ‘wert’). The sugars are what cause fermentation, and ultimately, alcohol. No sugar, no alcohol, which means no beer. The sweetness comes from the malt - that’s why you’ll hear people referring to a sweet-tasting beer as ‘malty’.

Stage th ree: The wort is then boiled to release more sugars. It is also during this stage that the hops are added to the beer. The stage in the boil when the hops are added makes a difference in the final characteristics of the beer.

Stage fou r: Once cooled, the wort is transferred to a fermenting tank. Here yeasts are added, and the slow process of converting the grain into alcohol begins.

Stage five: The beer is then pumped into a conditioning tank to mature. Extended conditioning is great for the beer to mature, and allows for the best possible flavour and aroma.

Stage six: Carbonation happens next. If you were to drink the beer as is, you would find it extremely flat and uninteresting. The head and those tiny bubbles rising from the bottom of your glass is a result of directly injecting carbon dioxide into the beer. However, most home brewers opt to use another carbonation method: simply adding a small amount of sugar to the bottles ensures the residual yeast left in the bottles will consume the sugars and naturally carbonate the beer by producing CO2.

Stage seven: The beer is then bottledor kegged.

Stage ei ght: Pure enjoyment. And, because it’s chemical-free, there’s no hangover the morning after.

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We have some awesome brews within our borders; beers from the stables of Jack Black Beer, Boston Breweries, Mitchells Brewery, Brewers & Union, and more. So how do you get to enjoy them? The League of Beers has ingeniously provided a platform for craft beer enthusiasts to pursue their passion by ordering direct from its craft beer e-commerce website, www.leagueofbeers.com. The website is a first for South Africa and offers the best local and international craft beers to beer connoisseurs across South Africa. Beers are sold in batches of 12, beautifully gift packed and can also be ordered as a mixed case of top craft beers, fresh from the brewery. Delivery is free and takes from one hour to five days. The mixed case changes the selection every month to keep our beer enthusiasts guessing and their palates enthralled.

W e a r e pass i o n at e a b o u t c r a ft b eers i n S o u t h A fr i ca,” says Ro b H ey n s, m a r k et i n g d i r ecto r a n d c o-fo u n d er o f T h e Leag u e o f B eers. “T h er e a r e s o m a n y a m az i n g m i c ro-b r ew er i es o u t t h er e, a n d i n t h e past a n y a b ov e-av er ag e b eer lov er h a d to t r av el to t h e b r ew ery to b u y o f s o m e o f t h e r a r e batc h es o f fi n e b eer b ei n g p ro d u c ed. N ow t h ey ca n s i t bac k, o r d er v i a o u r w eb s i t e a n d t h ei r favo u r i t e c r a ft b eer w i ll b e i n t h ei r h a n d s n ot lo n g a ft er c li c k i n g 'b u y'.”

The website has just taken off! We launched at the beginning of August and have already far exceeded sales expectations,” says Rob. “Craft beer aficionados are passionate about their beer, they know their beers and aren’t afraid to go to great lengths to get them.”

Catch The League of Beers at the 'Jozi Craft Beer Fest' on 13 October 2012.

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To connect with The League of Beersvisit www.leagueofbeers.com.

iDINfo box

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è Related articles:• The Citrusdale Food and Wine Festival Beckons

(Digital article, August 2012)• Indulge in the pleasure of wine (Issue #11, p. 112)• The Ireland Whiskey Trail (Issue #10, p. 106)

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Jozi Craft Beer Fest Retu rnsSatu rday, 13 October 2012

The JOZI CRAFT BEER FEST is back and with so much more on offer! Now into its second year, the festival has grown from 14 to 21 breweries and visitors can look forward to more 100% locally brewed craft beer, cider and spirits beer, more taps, bigger stands, more seating, more shade, more water, more food, parking facilities on a secured field, and music. So come and enjoy the best of South African craft beer, in the heart of Jozi, at the JOZI CRAFT BEER FEST!

Open from:10h00 until 18h00

Ven u e:Marks Park, Judith Street, Emmerentia

Entrance:R100 via Webtickets includesbranded mug, or R120 at the door •