Any South African Homebrewers?

[Naked_Eskimo]

Not sure if this is the right forum for this....

Just wondering if there are any homebrewers from/in South Africa in the HBT forums?

I want to know what the homebrewing environment is like in SA, especially with regards to the availability/selection of brewing ingredients and equipment?

I've managed to find a couple of websites that supply pretty decent selections, but it seems to be a minimal number.

http://www.brewshop.co.za/
http://thebeerkeg.co.za

Anyone else know of others?

 

[Bru]

The homebrewing scene in SA is small but growing all the time. The two sites you mention are AFAIK the only two on-line shops - they're both pretty good with Weyermans malt and various other ingredients. I buy from the brewshop and get pale 2-row from SABMillers maltsters unit (R350 / 50kg (+-$50))
Are you relocating to SA ?

 

[Naked_Eskimo]

Thanks Bru...I am South African, just been in the US for a few years now, and only got into the hobby recently, so was curious whether such a hobby-culture even existed back home since I never heard of it.

For the most part, have you been able to brew what you like -- or do you feel "limited" with what you can make in terms of ingredient availability?

 

[Bru]

I can pretty much brew what I like. The selection available from thebrewshop is getting better all the time. All the Weyerman malt is available and alot of hops and yeast. Ive got a US buddy on this forum who flies for Delta - he brings me the odd yeast / hop I can't get here. Amarillo, for example, was only stocked recently and no Nottingham. Prices are better in the US - except for the SAB 2-row which is cheap here.
Why did you leave SA / when you coming back (they all come back sooner or later ) ?

 

[Naked_Eskimo]

Left to go get a graduate education worth something

 

[Bru]

I hear you

 

[Evochild]

There is a bit of a brewing community in Cape Town. I met a guy today who has been brewing for 10 years. He sells brew kits from his health shop. Someday I'm sure we will be able to hold comps and the like as long as the laws don't become to crazy.

 

[shawnduthie]

Have a look at www.southyeasters.co.za - thats the homebrew club in CT.

Best shops are BeerGuevara.co.za and Beerlab.co.za

The homebrew/microbrew scene is getting up there - there has even been a book published, called African Brew, about it! Have a look at www.thecraftbeerproject.co.za for festivals as well

 

[shawnduthie]

There is also the WortHogs in JoBurg and East Coast Brewers in Durban for homebrew clubs

 

[Bradsa]

Hi fellow South Africans,

A friend of mine and I have just started brewing. We bought a Copper Tun starter kit from: http://www.brewcraft.co.za/ and are about to bottle our second batch.

Problem is the 130km trip to Jhb just to get cleanser and sanitizer packets when in need. To bypass this we are using caustic for cleaning and bleach for sanitizer but surely there is a better way?

What do you guys use if you want to use stuff that's just available close by (Many farming sanitation/cleaning products available here)? A no rinse sanitiser similar to Star San would be awesome but I understand it's super expensive to import.

Cheers from Potch.