Beerfests
Admit it, you've either been to one or you're dying to go to one. Let me start off with the best one:
Octoberfest
No, not the one in Germany, but still a great one. The Deutsche Schule in Pretoria host this one, usually mid September (yes not in October, but hey, who really cares?) This festival is great. One stage for Oompa loompa bands, one for more pop/rock tunes and a stage for your more classical music. Lots of great beer, food and souvenir stores.
If going to Octoberfest for pure drinking purposes, then I would advise the Friday night. The less popular day, which in turn means shorter queues, plus you can be certain that there will be stock of the mug that you want.
If you would like a family outing, Saturday through the day is a great choice. There is always something for the kids to do, beer for the adults and not many annoying drunks.
Saturday nights are the busiest at Octoberfest, this is due to the vibe, the fireworks, and not having work the next day. This is one huge party and great fun. Meet new friends and drink cool pints.
Sandton Craft Beer Fest
This sounded like an awesome festival. Unfortunately for me I went in its first year and have since promised never to go again. This festival only has craft beers, this year there were 11 breweries with 40 different kinds of beers and ciders.
Probably one of the worst events I've ever been to, and after giving my feedback to the organisers I was treated with disdain as if it were my fault. The event started late, used a token system (which they didn't advertise at the entrance where you actually had to buy them), and didn't adhere to some of the things they promised. Their 'big screen' for sports was actually just five 41cm (roughly) TVs, with no sound and big bands playing through the game. The beer stall closed two hours early, leaving me to use up my tokens at the venue's overpriced champagne bar.
Food-wise you had a very limited choice, pizza, schwarma or gourmet hotdogs. All the pizzas had Avo on them, all the schwarmas were extremely hot and I wasn't going to pay R40 for a hotdog.
As for parking, what a nightmare. As it is the streets of Jo'burg don't have much space, but if you had to drive there you might have wanted to pull out your hair. No dedicated parking area meant you had to park in the street, effectively turning a two lane street into a narrow one lane street.
Beers
Some of the types of beers, a bit about them, and an example of each
Ale
Usually fermented with top-fermenting yeast, meaning the yeast floats on top of the tank during fermentation. I find this to have a somewhat stronger, more in-your-face beer flavour compared to other beers.
Recommended: Clarens Red
Lager
A Lager is a beer that has been bottom fermented, meaning the yeast lies at the bottom of the tank when it ferments. Probably the easiest to drink and recommended starter beer.
Recommended: Castle Lager
Stout
This one is nice bitter beer. Usually a nice dark beer with a creamy white head, best served at room temperature (roughly 5-8 degrees, yes measured at european temps)
Recommended: Guinness
Weiss
This is a bit of an acquired taste, so not really suited for everyone. Distinguished by it's slightly white look. This beer is made from wheat.
Recommended: Altstad
Mead
Yes, its not technically a beer, but its awesome. Made from honey, this is a great sweet drink.
Of course there are many other kinds, such as your pilsners and dunkels, but its up to you to go out and taste them!
Other notable South African beers worth a try:
Jack Black Ale
Copperlake Brewery's light lager
SAB's Black Label
Boston's Pumpkin ale
The maboneng maverick (biere de saison) from Smack! Republic
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