Gauteng may trail the Western Cape as far as craft breweries go, but on our ever-increasing list of beer festivals, Gauteng is neck and neck with the Western Cape. Here’s a look at beer festivals coming up in (mostly) Johannesburg.
Round Table Beer Festival, Menlo Park, 27 July 2013
Special mention for this beer festival which has been flying under the radar for almost 3 years already.
Not quite in Johannesburg, but close enough to be relevant, the Round Table Beer Festival is taking place in Menlo Park this weekend, so on Saturday 27 July Pretoria craft beer lovers can rejoice.
Tiny by comparison to the recently held Capital Craft Festival, Round Table Beer Festival focuses on charity and fellowship.
“We expect about 100 people,” said Jacques, one of the organisers of the festival.
There were 2011 and 2012 editions of this festival and in 2013 it offers 5 bears from Drayman’s Brewery, with plans to expand next year.
For now and for the love of craft beer, fellowship and charity, the Round Table Beer Festival is an intimate affair in Menlo Park and welcomes all with an appreciation of the aforementioned.
#IPADay, Arts on Main, 1 August 2013
The 1st Thursday of August each year (mark your calendar) has been earmarked as #IPADay.
Joburg gets in on the action when the organisers of the famously successful Jozi Craft Beer Fest, which was a sold-out event earlier this year, presents #IPADay celebrations at Arts on Main.
India Pale Ales will be the focus of the event that promises lots of beer, cheers and … fun.
Follow the tickets link on the festival page and do so quickly. Jozi Craft Beer Fest events tend to sell out, you know?
If you’re reading this from in or near Cape Town and covet the Joburgers’ #IPADay action, worry not, Cape Town also has a couple of #IPADay celebrations going on.
Maftown Beer Festival, Mafikeng, 31 Aug – 1 Sep 2013
At the end of August and nowhere near Johannesburg, in fact, not even in Gauteng, theMaftown Beer Festival raises the stadium roof in Mafikeng.
It gets a special mention here, because let’s face it, it will be a while before North West province has enough beer festivals to justify their own writeup.
Mafikeng is within striking distance of Jozi, just a short 300km drive, and the Maftown Beer Festival promises to make that trip worth it with an epic 20-hour long, non-stop party.
There will be plenty of beer and have so far heard thatBrauhaus am DammandMadMead Brewing Co.will represent craft beer.
It’s the second year for the Maftown Beer Festival and they’re building on last year’s success, which attracted a huge attendance.
Joburg Festival of Beer, Pirates Sports Club, 6 – 8 September 2013
In September the very successful Cape Town Festival of Beer heads north and brings with it beer goodness galore.
The Joburg Festival of Beer hits the Pirates Sports Club in Parkhurst, Johannesburg from Friday, 6 September until Sunday, 8 September offering more beer than you can shake an empty glass at.
If the Cape Town event is anything to go by, Johannesburg is in for a weekend of beer-fueled bliss and offerings from both the craft beer industry and, if you’re so inclined, SA’s Big Beer.
There will be no shortage of entertainment and the event has been confirmed family-friendly. Big screens ensure beer lovers won’t miss out on any rugby action either.
Tickets are not unlimited, so you would be well advised to get them early and secure your spot at the Joburg Festival of Beer chop-chop.
Sandton Craft Beer & Music Festival, 5 October 2013
In October the beer festival circuit in Johannesburg hots up like hopefully the weather will too.
On the1st weekend in October, Linger Longer in Sandton plays host toSandton Craft Beer & Music Festival.
Some of South Africa’s top craft brewers have been roped in for this spring-time event, supported by plenty of yum chow and live music.
Grab tickets online to get the limited edition beer mug.
The Bier Fest Joburg, Montecasino, 10 – 13 October 2013
The very next weekend a 4-day celebration of beer hits South Africa’s financial powerhouse in the shape of the The Bier Fest Joburg.
Happening at Montecasino, The Bier Fest Joburg is not a craft beer festival, but the SAB event will feature German beers the likes of Munich Dunkel, Krystal Weiss and Royal Bavaria, which arenot readily available in South Africa.
Throw in German-themed party, food, music and various competitions, and you’ve got yourself what should be an epic beer celebration.
Soweto Beer Festival, 25 – 28 October 2013
October is a rough month for livers in Johannesburg and ends no lighter with another epic beer festival in Soweto.
The Shap Stadium in Mofolo hosts this year’s festival, making it easy to forgetSoweto Beer Festival‘shumble beginnings as a small celebration to highlight one of Soweto’s iconic entertainment outlets.
Since then it’s grown into a social event of note.
40 local and international beers are on offer, while typical local Soweto cuisine will make sure your stomach is full of something other than just beer.
Running from Friday to Monday, Soweto Beer Festival in Johannesburg will not be an average beer festival.
And there you have it: beer festival awesomeness in (mostly) Johannesburg. Cheers to that!