National Craft Brewers Championship Now Open For Entry

South African National Craft Brewers Championship Entries for the second annual South African National Craft Brewers Championship opened on 1 August 2014 and professional craft brewers are encouraged to submit their entries.  The competition aims to recognise the growing craft beer movement in the country and its contribution to the culture of beer in South Africa (SA).

Craft brewing in South Africa

Craft brewing refers to the different types and styles of beer, and are normally associated with small artisanal brewers using either home-made or basic brewing equipment comments Martin Brooks, SAB Chief Brewer.

“The quality and consistency of these beers may however be variable due to the ability of the plant to deliver the precision and control required for the basic brewing process.  Brewers that have invested in brewing equipment that is capable of delivering this process capability will be able to produce craft beers that are much more consistent and of a higher quality.  Furthermore, the Brewers that understand that the discerning craft beer drinker, who is sometimes paying 2 to 3 times premium for his novel drinking experience, is also demanding that his beer is of a highest quality and be consistent from batch to batch. As the Craft beer market becomes more competitive, only the brewers that deliver on their quality and consistency promise will remain viable, ” he said.

These “micro brewers” of craft beer are currently producing some great tasting beers and have enjoyed phenomenal growth in South Africa over the past 18 to 24 months,  especially the Western Cape.

Competition

To enter go complete the entry form before 5pm on Friday 12 September 2014.  Beer samples must be delivered to the World of Beer between 25 August 2014 and 12 September 2014 and judging will take place on 13 September 2014.

Winners will be announced at a prestigious event at the World of Beer on 3 October 2014.

The spectacular prizes this year sponsored by World of Beer,  Brewmaster and Consol Glass,  rank higher than most in the craft brewing competition arena. There are additional prizes in the cider category too. The Craft Brewers competition is a fully audited process with some of the best prizes and judges in the industry.

Beers brewed within the borders of SA will be eligible for entry with a maximum of three beers entered per brewery.  Beers must be entered as a specific style as per the competition rules and adhere to the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP).

Judging

Convenor of Judges and long-time Wort Hogs member, Sean Watts says:

“The championship is more inclusive this year – a brewer can enter any beer that he or she regularly brews. We have opened up the styles completely – as long as the beer fits in the first 23 categories as laid out in the BJCP style guidelines”.

Judges from all corners of South Africa have been selected to form part of the judging panel.  Judge and MC, Lucy Corne commented: “This is the second year of the championship and with all the changes I am sure this is going to be the pre-eminent event on the awards calendar. I’m honoured to be a part of the judging panel and I’m sure we’ll have some pretty amazing beer to taste. Craft brewers are not only producing excellent American, German, Belgian and English-style beers; they’re also coming up with some really interesting South African twists – beers featuring buchu, rooibos and fynbos as well as local malt and hops”.  Corne notes that at least a dozen new breweries have popped up since the last championship and the competition should be pretty stiff this time around.

Inaugural winner, The Dog and Fig Brewery knew they were in for a tough time when the entered the championship.  “When we received an invitation to attend the award ceremony, we knew our beer was rated within the top ten craft beers, says Morne Barradas.  We were honoured to walk away with top spot for our American Stout brew and the prize money was put to good use in the expansion of our brewery.”

Barradas also commented that great thanks must go to SAB for their time and dedication in the development of craft brewing in South Africa.

Addendum:

Beer Prizes

First prize:

  • R50 000 from The World of Beer
  • 100kg Malt from SAB Maltings
  • 2kg Hops from SAB Hop Farms
  • R10 000 worth of consultancy or training from Global Beverage Solutions;
  • Speciality malts and dried yeast from The Brew Master

Second prize:

  • R30 000 from The World of Beer
  • 50kg Malt from SAB Maltings
  • 1kg Hops from SAB Hop Farms
  • Speciality malts and dried yeast from The Brew Master

Third prize:

  • R10 000 from The World of Beer
  • 20kg Malt from SAB Maltings
  • 500g Hops from SAB Hop Farms
  • Speciality malts and dried yeast from The Brew Master

Cider Prizes

First prize:

  • All expenses paid trip for 2 to Elgin for a personal tour of the Appletiser operations and the juicing plant during the harvest sponsored by SAB
  • Prize hamper from Consol glass valued at R32 000
    • 210 cases of 440ml Clear (Flint) Craft Beer Bottles (5040 units = 210 cases of 24)
    • PSL Labels which includes their own personalised designed labels as well as the application of the labels.  Including 12 hours of the creative agency’s design time
    • Free publicity on Consol social media channels

Second prize:

  • Prize hamper from Consol Glass valued at R20 000
    • 125 cases of 440ml Clear (Flint) Craft Beer Bottles (3000 units = 125 cases of 24)
    • PSL Labels which includes their own personalised designed labels as well as the application of the labels.  Including 10 hours of the creative agency’s design time
    • Free publicity on Consol social media channels

Third prize:

  • Prize hamper from Consol Glass valued at R12 000
    • 42 cases of 440ml Clear (Flint) Craft Beer Bottles (1008 units = 42 cases of 24)
    • PSL Labels which includes their own personalised designed labels as well as the application of the labels. Including 8 hours of the creative agency’s design time
    • Free publicity on Consol social media channels