|
Paas Haas has come and gone. I assume you have already brewed or will be brewing your Stout for the June BTS this weekend?? This year has wings, keep up or it will be gone before you know it. Enough of that, on with the news:
|
|
|
|
|
Closing date for membership to get your free T-shirt is 30 April.
All paid up members by midnight 30 April will get a limited edition 2019 Durban Home Brewers T-shirt. Will you be getting one?? You will if you sign up. But that's not all, you will also get:
|
- You also get the option to buy a limited edition DHB cap at a vastly discounted rate.
- Buy DHB key ring bottle opener at members price.
- You get to enter all the BTS comps for 2019 for FREE (first entry in each comp.) where you can win awesome Beer Bros Vouchers
- Possibly have your brew at Clarens Beer fest in 2020 with Nguni Brewery.
- You get to enter the 'That Brewing Challenge Series' creative brew competitions. Where you could win 25 kilograms of grain, cases of beer, cool TBC gear and S43 Vouchers.
- You get to hang with us at our quarterly 'members only' meetings where we announce the BTS winners
- Awesome beer educational talks on very real and relevant topics that could be crucial to improving your brewing.
The more members we have the more we can get and give. So, complete the form, pay your fees and become a member, DHB needs you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
This month it is a pleasure to introduce you to Toti's finest... When he is not fixing air-brakes, he is brewing awesome craft beer.
|
|
|
Do you have a nickname and what is it?
|
|
How long have you been brewing?
|
|
How did you get into brewing?
|
|
It all started with a few of my mates and I discussing craft beer and how much cheaper it must be, to be able to brew your own beer. (Oh how we were wrong about that)
|
Well, first thing that Monday morning. I was online ordering my first beer kit.
|
|
How many brews have you done?
|
I don't really count my first few Oros beers as brewing. But i brew to fill two kegs at a time and I brew roughly 8 to 10 times a year. So I would say 30+ brews. Slightly over 1000 liters of beer.
|
|
What is your favorite step when brewing and why?
|
Its exciting to watch the hot break form into a huge mass before slowing breaking down into the boil. I enjoy the aromas of the boiling wort and the hops when added. Its also your first glimpse into what colour your beer is going to be.
|
|
What is your least favorite step when brewing and why?
|
|
Cleaning. I really dislike cleaning.
|
After spending several hours of brewing (and sampling the last brew of cause), I am tired and not in the mood to clean.
|
|
What is your favorite style of beer to brew and why?
|
I seem to make quite a few pale ales. I think its quite a fun beer to brew, as i can really experiment on different malt and hop flavors.
|
I would have to say Galaxy. It has such an amazing aroma and the tropical fruit flavours it gives off. Its the perfect hop for a summer time beer.
|
Crystal. Except for a few IPA'S. I put crystal into just about every brew.
|
I don't really have a favorite yeast. I tend to choose my yeast as per my brew, ensuring it matches the style of beer.
|
|
Best beer you have ever had?
|
|
This would have to be the Wychwood hob goblin.
|
There is just something really special about this Ruby ale.
|
|
What is your choice of pouring?
|
|
Have you ever had a 'bottle bomb'?
|
|
It was still back in my beginner days. I had tried to brew an imperial stout, which I now know, hadn't finished fermenting.
|
Anyway, so I had bottled up my batch of beer, placed the bottles into some crates and left them to carb up. About a week or so had passed and I decided to move the crates to a new location and as I picked up the crate, I saw beer all over the floor. Luckily the crate kept everything safe and secure. But I had lost more than half my brew to bottle bombs that day. Moral of the story. Make sure your ferment is complete before you bottle.
|
|
Do you brew strictly to a recipe or do you tend to do your own thing?
|
I suppose its a bit of both. I will find a recipe that catches my attention, and then I will build my own recipe based on the first recipe.
|
|
Are you pedantic about keeping records of everything you do?
|
I suppose I could try a little harder at recording everything I do on my brew day. But I do record what I deem important on the day. I have noticed, the more I sample the kegged beers while brewing, the less record keeping I tend to do...
|
|
Favorite piece of equipment?
|
That would be my bru pro all in one brewing system. Its were the magic happens.
|
|
What is the biggest lesson you ever learnt about brewing?
|
Make sure you have no leaks on your system. Its not fun trying to tighten up a tap on your brew kettle when its filled up with about 70 liters of hot strike water.
|
|
Has being a member of Durban Home Brewers had any influence on your brewing?
|
|
I am constantly trying to brew better beers. I am constantly chasing that elusive 1st place brew to style position. The social or rather the charitable events we participate in also allows me to discover what it must be like to be a pro brewery. It grants me an opportunity to offer my beers to a greater audience and to receive unbiased feedback from the general public.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Butlers March 2019
|
Great turn out, thanks guys. Apparently (I was not there) it was a great meet up. Awesome venue with load of space (see pics on the facebrick page). The Winners of the first BTS for 2019 were announced. Coming in strong in 3rd place was Greg Hardie. In second place, our secretary of state, Schalla Van Der Walt and our winner for the first BTS for 2019, Mr Bean Counter - A31 Ryley (you need some sun on those pins China) Well done to all of you and that you to Beer Bros for sponsoring the BTS competition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second place Schalla Van Der Walt
|
|
|
|
Numero Uno A31 (Adrian) Ryley
|
|
|
|
Giving back...
As you all know, we sold beer at Craft Fest a few weeks back and in total we raised R 10 000.00. Sadly it was way off the mark of what we could have made, but some of our fair weather friends decided not to attend. Sadly fro them it turned out to be an awesome event.
|
|
Not long after Craft Fest, I was seconded to join Christine Standeaven to hand over R10 000.00 worth of bedding and other household equipment to the staff at Suyabusiswa Orphanage. We selected this orphanage as is supported by the Standeaven family and the Farmers Market. I always battle with going into an orphanage or children's home and this was no exception. All the kids had huge grins on their faces and were very happy to see Umlungu arriving with stuff. Anyway, the home is well planned and well run. The mother and daughter team who run the home were super grateful for the all the stuff we gave them and would like to thank all the brewers who donated their beers and all the others who parted with their money to buy the beers. From me personally, thank guys, we did good.
|
|
|
|
Christine Standeaven with the kids and staff from the orphanage.
|
|
|
|
The stuff. Loads of bedding, brooms, an Iron etc.
|
|
|
|
|
We need your ideas
|
We are looking for a cool, crafty design idea for our T-shirts for 2019. The design needs to incorporate our logo, Durban, 031, Craft beer, fun and be all round uber cool (or just some of those things). If you think you have the winning design, mail it to howzit@durbanhomebrewers.com You never know what reward might come your way.
|
|
|
|
|
Next meeting:
|
General meeting at Durban Brewing Company. See above for details. Craig Bax will be hosting a 'Beer Quiz' with interesting prizes up for grabs. Bring some of your brews to share and for comment. Bring inyama and tools for braaing, plus some cash as Scott will be selling his beers. Come see the brewery and meet Scott Hunter, Durban Brewing Company's brewer. He is extremely knowledgeable and can answer all your questions. Open to all, RSVP to Doug (info@durbanhomebrewers.com) Its the night before an pubic holiday, so no excuses.
|
|
|
|
|
Are you up for it???
The next edition of the 'That Brewing Co Challenge Series' requires you to try and clone a 'That Good Adweiss' beer. Don't try to improve on it or create your own version, brew THAT beer (see what I did there) and if yours is closest to the real thing then you could be walking away with awesome prizes.
|
|
Prizes: 1st place - 50kg Pale Malt AND a R200 S43 voucher.
|
|
2nd prize: 'That Brewing Company' T-shirt; a case of 'That Brewery' beer AND R100 voucher for S43
|
|
3rd prize: a case of 'That Brewery' beer and a 'That Brewing Company' cap.
|
All this just for doing what you love doing, brewing beer. How can you go wrong.
|
|
Big thank you to Seth for running the Challenge Series events. Here are the 2019 challenges:
|
|
May - Weiss clone - That Good Adweiss
|
|
August - Lacto Brew – brewing with Lactobacillus
|
November - Wood Aged Beer
|
|
|
|
|
|
You should have started brewing your June BTS entry by now, if not get your butt down to Beer Bros and get your ingredients tomorrow and start brewing. This is possibly the tastiest of the BTS competitions and should be a very close finish too.
|
|
BEER BROS BTS 2019:C
- June 2019 - Stouts and Porters
- September 2019 - OPEN Style, Freestyle, free range, you choose. BUT, you need to take careful notes and records as the first placed PAID member of this competition will have their beer brewed by NGUNI Brewery for CLAREN'S beer fest in 2020. That is an awesome prize!!
- December 2019 - IPA, APA and Pale Ales.
|
|
|
|
Beer Bros
|
Your one stop Home Brew Shop. Stop in anytime and chat about what you need or how to tweak your next brew. Anything they don't have, can be ordered in.
|
|
Tuesday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm
|
|
Saturday 9 am to 12 midday.
|
|
Closed Sundays and Mondays
|
|
|
|
|
KZN Craft Beer Revolution
For the first time ever, over 20 KZN only breweries will be pouring a wide variety of beer and gins in the same festival. Make sure you don't miss out on this historic occasion!
When: Saturday 27 April 2019
|
Where: Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park
Hoeveel: Drinkers - R30 including free glass. Non drinkers - no charge
Tickets available on entry on the day. Cheapest beer fest entry ever.
|
|
|
|
|
Lets Decide on Conan
"A tale of intrigue and investigation into the murky world of New England IPA that finally culminates in a decision taken by a panel of enthusiasts. The hunt for Conan has taken us to the 4 corners of the earth and we think it is time to offer up what we have found, 3 beers brewed in the same way but with 3 different strains of yeast and now we decide on the one that fits the profile. Help us decide."
Two seating’s 12:30 and 13:30, includes a bottle of London Fog 3 tasters and food pairing. Not to mention a talk (rant) by THAT Brew Master and your chance to be part of Craft Beer legend.
Only R150 per person
Only 20 people per seating
Booking 031 303 2747
|
|
|
|
A4T Watch this space:
|
Ales for tales is back. Put a big SPCA Blue mark in your diary for this event. Start giving some thought to what you are going to brew to raise funds for our furry friends and maybe even start brewing now!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craft Brewers Powwow
|
17 to 19 May 2019 - Cape Town
|
|
Aimed at all commercial craft brewers, home brewers and beer enthusiasts, the Powwow exists to create a unified platform for quality, consistency and comradery in the craft beer industry. The conference includes presentations from local and international speakers, educational workshops, brewery tours, delicious food and good fun.
|
|
Guys, Durban needs representation. If you can make it, please try and go. We have heard from many who have attended that there is masses to be learnt and awesome contacts to be made, never mind the beer you will get to sample and tips you will receive from fellow brewers. Not forgetting the 2 awards ceremonies: African Beer Cup Awards and the Home Brewers awards. Not forgetting the conference and the exhibitions of awesome brewing gear and innovative equipment.
|
|
|
|
|
Beer Boot Camp
|
24th August 2019 - Johannesburg - The Big Smoke.
|
So if you can't make the Powwow, there is Beer Boot Camp or even better do both. Beer boot camp is a full day symposium focusing on delivering a high quality educational experience to South African brewers and beer enthusiasts. Delegates will hear from leading brewing specialists from around the world, as well as experiencing practical sessions, beer tastings and of course networking and socializing opportunities. There is a awesome line up of speakers including Jennifer Tally, Fal Allen, Michael Ferguson, Clement Djameh, Peter Brown and John Keeling. Not sure who they are?? Check out their bio's and all the other beery info on the Beer Boot Camp website: https://beerbootcamp.weebly.com/
|
|
|
|
Support a good cause by drinking beer.
|
Next time you are Tops in Hillcrest look out for the new brew '36 on Main'. It is labeled as a blond, but its more of an amber, but that's not the point. Similar to a Darling Native. Only R 25.00 per 440 ml. All profits received from the sales of this great beer will go towards a scholarship to put a youngster from the local community in the valley through chef school availing them of a life changing opportunity. We can do our bit to assist by buying lots of these great beers and enjoying them, knowing with each sip, we are changing someones life for the good, forever. So go on, be a good Oke and buy some, they are yum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Support SPCA
|
Zap them a few Randelas with the Zapper Q-code below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
