Still one of the most popular beer styles, this lager is crisp and bold in flavour, with a refreshing clean head and golden colour. A perfect all round beer. Makes 23 litres. Best used in combination with a Lager/Pilsener Brew Blend. Includes generic yeast under lid.

(Listed in: Brew Cans / No-boil Beer Kits)

If blondes have more fun, blonde ales are more fun to drink! More flavourful than your average lager, this lovely blonde ale is as floral as a summer romance. Crisp pale malt aromas are balanced with a hint of spicy hops. The palate is light-bodied and the finish is dominated by a pronounced hop character. Pale straw in colour, this beer is perfect for summer drinking. Makes 23 litres. Best used in combination with a Light/Amber Brew Blend. Includes yeast under lid.

(Listed in: Brew Cans / No-boil Beer Kits)

Let yourself be seduced to the dark side! This full bodied Porter has ruby hints, a delicious chocolate toffee malt character, moderate bitterness with fruity hop notes and a rich creamy head. This is an excellent beer for the true connoisseur, suitable for both summer and winter and a great restorative at the end of the day. Makes 23 litres. Best used in combination with a Light/Amber Ale Brew Blend. Includes generic yeast under lid.

(Listed in: Brew Cans / No-boil Beer Kits)

A smooth, soft Pilsener which is golden in colour, lightly hopped and slightly sweet and spicy with a distinct Saaz hop aroma. This easy-drinking Pilsener is one of our most popular beer kits. Makes 23 litres. Best used in combination with a Lager/Pilsener Brew Blend. Includes generic yeast under lid.

(Listed in: Brew Cans / No-boil Beer Kits)

A wonderfully smooth, full-flavoured beer in true English style, with a malty character, high hop level and light caramel aroma. One of our most popular beer kits! Makes 23 litres. Best used in combination with a Light/Amber Ale Brew Blend. Includes generic yeast under lid.

(Listed in: Brew Cans / No-boil Beer Kits)

The pale ale that everyone is raving about! This classic American West Coast craft style beer has a rich amber colour and a full malt character. Its refreshing woodsy hop aroma is backed up by a crisp, clean finish. Makes 23 liters. Best used in combination with a Light/Amber Ale Brew Blend. Includes generic yeast under lid. Colour: 10 EBC. BItterness: 24 IBU. (Colour and bitterness based on 23 liter batch.)

(Listed in: Brew Cans / No-boil Beer Kits)

The well-known amber craft beer bottles. Sold per box. Bottles are clean but still require a treatment with sterilizer solution prior to being filled with beer. Crown seals not included. PLEASE NOTE: if you wish for this product to be delivered to you, we accept NO responsibility for breakage. Bottles to be sent via courier may incur a minimum R110 delivery fee per box sent (depending on destination).

(Listed in: Brewing Consumables)

These crown seals are intended for bottles with a threaded (twist-off) neck. They are NOT SUITED for pry-off bottles. Note: these crown seals require a Bench Capper; they CANNOT be crimped on with a hand-held Twin Lever capper tool.

(Listed in: Brewing Consumables)

A fan tipped bottle brush to clean your bottles prior to bottling. Maximum cleaning depth: +/- 40cm. Colours may vary.

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

A capper is an essential tool for any home brewer. Unlike other twin lever cappers, this model comes with double-sided collar inserts that fit not only the regular South African beer bottles (Consol dumpies and SAB quarts) but also imported long-necks such as Nampak dumpies and Windhoek bottles. To be used with pry-off crown seal caps only; not suitable for twist-off bottles.

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

A 50cm long perforated classic model brewer's paddle for stirring the mash or wort during brewing. White food-grade plastic.

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

This conical rubber adaptor bung will match our top hat grommet (item B01255) to larger holes with a size of about 17.5 to 22mm. The top hat grommet fits into the top of the adaptor bung, which allows fitting of our standard airlock bubblers to a variety of fermentation vessels. Perfect for fitting an airlock bubbler onto a beer bottle or cool drink bottle to grow a yeast starter!
NOTE: THIS ADAPTOR BUNG CAN ONLY BE USED IN COMBINATION WITH A TOP HAT GROMMET (not included).

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

This airlock is one of the most compact models on the market and is primarily intended for small fermentations. Excellently suited for test fermentations up to 5 litres or so, for yeast starters or for the fermentation of vegetables. Can be combined with an adaptor bung to fit 2 litre cooldrink bottles. Can also be used on secondary fermenters or during conditioning (after primary fermentation has completed). Less well suited for full-size primary fermentations of 20 litres or more. Upper section: 38mm high and 35mm maximum width. Includes top hat grommet (not shown).

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

Spare 25L fermentation bucket, similar to the one that comes with the Brew for Africa bucket brewery set. Virgin, food grade material. Complete with bubbler airlock, grommet, stick-on thermometer, tap with sediment trap and filler tube with spring loaded valve. Suitable for beer, wine and distilling fermentations.

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

This plastic tap fits our fermentation carboys and buckets, and all other vessels with a 1" (25mm) opening. The sediment reducer helps to keep the sediment in the fermenter during bottling. Most suitable for beer brewing.

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

This filler tube (also known as a "bottling wand" among Harry Potter fans and American home brewers) fits the Brew for Africa fermenter taps, and has a new and improved spring loaded valve at the bottom for easy bottling without frothing.

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

This large, heavy duty grain steeping bag will easily handle at least 10kg of wet grains, and fits most 25L buckets, 30L urns or brew pots. Can be used for the brew-in-a-bag method, for steeping specialty grains, or for traditional mashing. The heavy nylon straps are double-stitched and reinforced, and four handles let you call in an assistant to help lift particularly heavy batches of grain out of the brewing vessel.

This grain bag is designed to be strong. While it may be a bit more expensive than other grain bags on the market, this one is what you end up buying after you've tried the cheap ones.

• Industrial-strength, heavy straps sown into the fabric for heavy load bearing
• Strong mesh fabric that will not clog
• Four large handles for two-person operation
• All seams double stitched and reinforced
• Top diameter: ca. 35cm
• Bottom diameter: ca. 30cm
• Height: ca. 45cm
• Will fit most 25L buckets or urns for "Brew-In-A-Bag" use

PLEASE NOTE: due to the current limited availability of imported materials, our current batch of grain bags is made not from white but from light brown material. This will NOT affect the character of your beer. (And our fashion consultant notes that the colour of the material combines tastefully with the brewing grains...)

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

A simple-to-use hydrometer to measure the specific gravity (i.e. density) of your beer before and after fermentation. The alcohol content of the beer is calculated from the difference between the two readings. Not suitable for measuring the strength of distilled alcohol. (See the "Wine, Mead, Cider & Distilling" category for alcoholometers.) Also suitable for wine and mead.

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

For easy readings and minimum beer/wort wastage when taking gravity readings. Dimensions: 30mm wide, 26cm high, contents ca. 200ml. Base colour may vary.

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

Glass thermometers are still one of the most accurate ways of measuring temperature. Unlike their digital or electronic counterparts, they do not drift over time and are therefore always accurate. This high quality lab grade thermometer is perfect for brewing. It has a scale from -20 to +110 degrees Celcius, a resolution of 1.5mm per degree for accurate readings and a red column on a yellow background for maximum readability. Length: ca. 30cm. Thickness: ca. 7mm. PLEASE NOTE: if you wish for this product to be delivered to you, we accept NO responsibility for breakage.

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

A digital stick-on thermometer for use on fermentation carboys and buckets. Allows continuous temperature monitoring during fermentation without opening the fermenter. Double scale in both degrees Celsius and Farenheit which helps when brewing beer from American recipes. Range: 18-34°C / 64-93°F

(Listed in: Brewing Equipment)

A neutral mixture of general purpose bittering hops. Used by the largest brewery in South Africa. Blended for a constant, predictable Alpha Acid content of about 12%. Origin: South Africa.

(Listed in: Hops)

Simpsons Crystal Dark malt enters into the delicious realms of complex toffee and burnt sugar, but without the astringency of roasted malt. Roasted to exceptional uniformity in each batch, with each grain of malt perfectly crystallised. Suitable for a wide range of darker styles, ranging from amber and brown ales to sweet stouts and barley wines.

(Listed in: Malts & Grains)

Lactose is typically used in milk stouts, sweet stouts and porters. Lactose is largely unfermentable and adds sweetness and body to balance out the otherwise overpowering bitterness of heavy beers.

(Listed in: Malt Extracts and Sugars)

STILL THE BEST VALUE-FOR-MONEY SET ON THE SA MARKET TODAY! Our starter brewery set contains everything you need to start brewing excellent beers, including your choice of ingredients (no-boil, kit/can brewing) for your first batch - just note your choice of brew can in the Remarks field of the order form. All you have to supply yourself is some empty glass beer bottles (usually not a problem among beer lovers!) We can also supply craft beer bottles separately (you will need about 50 x 440ml bottles).

More complete than similar sets from other manufacturers, this kit contains the following:

• 25 litre fermentation bucket with lid (virgin, food grade material), with pre-drilled holes for tap & bubbler
• Bucket tap with sediment trap
• Bottle filler tube with spring loaded valve for easy bottling
• Bubbler airlock with rubber top hat grommet
• Stick-on thermometer
• Hydrometer
• Graded Measuring Tube
• Brewer's paddle
• Bottle brush
• Cleaning and sanitizing powders
• Beer kit / brew can
• Homebrew South Africa brew blend with barrier-packed aroma hops
• Beer finings
• Carbonation drops
• Twin lever capper tool
• Crown seals (150pc.)
• Detailed instructions

(The instruction manual is also available for download.)

(Listed in: Starter Brewery Sets)

This dry brewing yeast produces the typical flavours so characteristic of German Weizen styles. Like all yeasts of this strain, its flavour profile is highly dependent on the fermentation temperature, producing a combination of cloves and other spicy phenols at lower temperatures with fruity esters (especially banana) at higher temperatures. Makes for crisp, refreshing and very drinkable Weizen styles such as Kristalwiezen, Hefeweizen, Dunkel and Weizenbock.

Similar to: White Labs WLP380, WYeast 3333, Fermentis WB-06.

Attenuation: very high. Flocculation: low. Fruity esters: high. Spicy phenols: high. Fermentation temperature: 14-26°C (phenol/ester balance depends on temperature). For 25 L. (Datasheet available for download.)

(Listed in: Yeasts)

This EDME strain of yeast, which originates from the UK, is one of the oldest dried yeast strains on the market. If a recipe from the 1970s or 1980s specifies to use one or two packets of "beer yeast" or "brewing yeast", this is the yeast to use. This classic strain produces semi-sweet to sweet, full-bodied beers with a subtle and restrained fruity character. It is excellently suited for a variety of styles that call for a certain amount of residual sugars to balance against a high alcohol level. Excellently suitable for strong, medium sweet to sweet full-bodied dégustation beers such as Belgian strong ales, Belgian and English barley wines, Scottish strong ales as well as sweet and Imperial stouts, spiced beers, "winter warmers", Christmas ales and a wide variety of English ales. The yeast of choice for historic recipes such as gruit ales, heather ales, recreations of medieval to 19th century ales, cask ales and real ales.

Similar to: Fermentis S-33, WLP005, EDME

Attenuation: low. Flocculation: low to medium. Fruity esters: high. Fermentation temperature: 12-28°C (recommended: 20-24°C for optimum flavour balance). Alcohol tolerance: 12% ABV. For 25 L. (Datasheet available for download.)

(Listed in: Yeasts)

This robust dried yeast is a representative of the famous Whitbread strain. It is excellently suited for the fermentation of a wide range of English styles, including English pale, brown and dark ales, milds, bitters, IPAs, porters and stouts. It adds distinct, typically British fruity notes but leaves a certain residual malt sweetness that respects the character of the grain and provides good clarity.

Similar to: White Labs WLP002 and WLP017, WYeast 1099, Fermentis S-04.

Attenuation: medium. Flocculation: high. Fruity esters: medium. Fermentation temperature: 12-25°C (recommended: 18-22°C for optimum flavour balance). For 25 L. (Datasheet available for download.)

(Listed in: Yeasts)

This dry brewing yeast is well suited for the fermentation of full-bodied continental and Bohemian lagers and Pilseners with some subtly fruity and floral highlights. It respects malt and hop characters and produces clean, crisp and clear beers. Can also be used to ferment traditional American styles at ale temperatures.

Similar to: White Labs WLP800, WYeast 2206, Fermentis S-23.

Attenuation: high to very. Flocculation: high. Fruity esters: low. Fermentation temperature: 7-15°C for lagers (optimum flavour balance: 10-14°C); up to 22°C for traditional American ales. Fermentation temperature has a significant impact on the flavour and character of the beer. A diacetyl rest is recommended. For 10-12L. (Datasheet available for download.)

(Listed in: Yeasts)

This strain of dried yeast, originating from the Weihenstephan Research Intitute, is widely used in the production of clean, crisp lager and Pilsener styles that allow for clearly defined hop and malt accents. Low in sulphur and diacetyl, this versatile yeast is suitable for most mainstream lager and Pilsener styles, from German and American lagers to Bocks and Schwarzbier.

Similar to: White Labs WLP830, WYeast 2124, Fermentis W34/70

Attenuation: high to very high. Flocculation: high. Fruity esters: low. Diacetyl: low. Fermentation temperature: 7-15°C for lagers (optimum flavour balance: 10-14°C). Fermentation temperature has a significant impact on the flavour and character of the beer. A diacetyl rest is recommended. For 10-12 L. (Datasheet available for download.)

(Listed in: Yeasts)

This reliable dried yeast of the classic Chico strain is great for many American styles such as blonde, pale, amber and brown American ales, American porters and stouts, IPA's and many more, but its versatility also makes it well suited for any beer that calls for a light body, a clean, mild fruitiness and good drinkability. It is also popular for the fermentation of Irish ales, dry stouts and specialty ales. At the low end of the fermentation temperature range it will even give good results when used to produce traditionally fermented Altbier, barley wines and American and Australian wheat beers.

Similar to: White Labs WLP001, WYeast 1056, Fermentis US-05.

Attenuation: medium. Flocculation: medium to high. Fruity esters: medium. Fermentation temperature: 15-26°C (recommended: 18-22°C for optimum flavour balance). For 25 L. (Datasheet available for download.)

(Listed in: Yeasts)

A professional red wine yeast for all types of red fruits, e.g. red wine grapes, cherries, berries, raspberries, dark plums etc.. This is a non-specific.yeast, i.e. not tailored for just a single grape cultivar such as Merlot, Bordeaux, Cabernet etc. but instead will produce wine flavours driven by the fruit. For 25 litres of must. Use in combination with a good yeast nutrient is recommended. Datasheet available for download.

(Listed in: Yeasts)

A professional white wine yeast for all types of white grapes and other light coloured fruits. This is a non-specific, neutral yeast, i.e. not tailored for just a single grape cultivar such as Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, etc. but instead will produce wine flavours driven by the fruit. Medium-sweet flavour profile. Excellently suited for making fruit wines, ciders and even sweet meads. Fermentation temperature range: 12-28°C. Alcohol tolerance: 16.5% ABV. For 25 litres of must. Use in combination with a good yeast nutrient is recommended. Datasheet available for download.

(Listed in: Yeasts)

Dried lemon peel is used in a variety of beverages, from Belgian ales to distilled spirits. Also nice when added to a lager or pilsener. Steep the dried peel in a shot glass of alcohol (e.g. vodka) overnight when adding to a kit beer in order to sterilize, and add to the fermenter including the alcohol. When brewing a full grain beer, add to the boil.

(Listed in: Botanicals)

Sweet orange peel is popular in Belgian ales. Steep the dried peel in a shot glass of alcohol (e.g. vodka) overnight when adding to a kit beer in order to sterilize, and add them to the fermenter including the alcohol. When brewing a full grain beer, add them to the boil. Also excellently suited for certain types of gin.

(Listed in: Botanicals)

Brewing your own beer at home is a great hobby that is quickly gaining popularity in South Africa. However, most brewing literature and recipes (including those found in abundance on the World Wide Web) have been written by American authors, for an American audience, assuming that American grains, adjuncts, hops and yeasts will be used to brew American interpretations of the various beer styles.

This book focuses primarily on the South African home brewer. It explains the basics as well as the more advanced aspects of brewing, based on what the average South African home brewer has available to start out with. Where necessary, specific references to the South African market for brewing ingredients and accessories have been included. Whenever calculations are being discussed, the formulas have been adjusted for metric units, i.e. they use kilograms and litres rather than pounds, ounces, gallons and such.

Combining the practical basics of home brewing with just enough of the principles behind them, this book should give the beginning home brewer not only a basic set of brewing skills but also the essential background required to understand why things need to be done in this way or that. This makes this book especially suited for use as a teaching aid for brewing courses and the like.

See the Table of Contents for an overview of subjects discussed.

(Listed in: Books and Gadgets)

Not to be confused with the desiccant granules used in moisture absorbers, calcium chloride dihydrate is used in brewing to increase the permanent hardness of the brewing water.

(Listed in: Brewing Salts and Acids)

Chalk (Calcium Carbonate) is an important ingredient in the brewing water for some beer styles. Chalky water is the basis for the robust northern English dark ales, and Burton-on-Trent is famous for it.

(Listed in: Brewing Salts and Acids)

Epsom (Magnesium Sulphate heptahydrate) is used to add sulfate and magnesium ions to brewing water. It is often used at half the levels of Gypsum.

(Listed in: Brewing Salts and Acids)

Gypsum (Calcium Sulphate dihdryate) serves several purposes in brewing. When added to the mash, it can lower the pH. The added sulfate content will also accentuate the bitterness of the beer. If you want to increase the sulfate for bitterness enhancement but don't want to change your mash pH, et can be added directly to the kettle.

(Listed in: Brewing Salts and Acids)

Lactic acid is used in brewing for pH correction of the strike water and occasionally of the wort in the kettle prior to the boil. This food grade lactic acid is highly concentrated and should therefore be used in small quantities and be handled with care. See the safety instructions before use.

(Listed in: Brewing Salts and Acids)

Slaked lime, a.k.a. hydrated lime (Calcium Hydroxide) is used in water softening. Mix one teaspoon of calcium hydroxide with 25 litres of hard water and let stand for 15-30 minutes, then rack the softened water off the top. Note: Calcium Hydroxide should be handled with caution. It may cause respiratory irritation when inhaled, may cause irritation and/or severe burns on skin and eyes, and can lead to abdominal pains, cramps and vomiting when ingested. Use gloves and eye protection during use.

(Listed in: Brewing Salts and Acids)

Dortmund Dunkel is an International Dark Lager that is easy to brew and even easier to drink. It is light bodied and low in hop bitterness, which allows sweet malt notes and aromatic hints of chocolate and coffee to come through on the palate.

• Batch size: 20 litres
• OG: 1.037
• FG: 1.002 - 1.006 (Note that the finishing gravity for this beer is very low for a kit beer!)
• ABV: 4.2 - 4.6% before priming (about 4.4 - 4.8% after bottle conditioning)
• IBU: 15-17 (exact value depending on boil times, pot sizes, altitude and the vigour of the boil)

These are estimated values; your actual results may vary slightly.

What's in the box:

• Dry malt extracts
• Crushed malt
• Bittering hops
• Brew blend
• Specialised yeast and yeast nutrients
• Beer finings
• Brewing manual

You will need the following equipment and consumables (not included):

• An 8-10L pot with stirring spoon or brewing paddle;
• A small grain steeping bag;
• A fermenter and cleaning/sterilizing agents for same;
• A thermometer;
• Optional: a hydrometer;
• Bottles and caps.
• Cleaning and sanitizing agents
• Priming sugar or carbonation drops

Note: unlike brew cans, this beer does NOT require the purchase of an additional brew blend; this is already in the box and included in the price.

For more details download manual in PDF format.

(Listed in: Stovetop Beer Kits)

Dublin Docks is a proper Irish stout for the true connoisseur, black in colour with a robust yet easily drinkable character. A generous percentage of roasted barley in the grain bill make for a light body and a pleasant, medium-dry finish, while two typically British hops supply a restrained, fine hop character. This stout has a well-balanced roasted malt flavour which is not acrid, harsh or overly heavy, supplemented with light notes of coffee and subtle hints of dark caramel.

• Batch size: 20 litres
• OG: 1,040
• FG: 1.012 (estimated)
• ABV: about 3.8 % before priming; about 4% after bottle conditioning
• IBU: 28-32 (exact value depending on boil times, pot sizes, altitude and the vigour of the boil)

These are estimated values; your actual results may vary slightly.

What's in the box:

• Dry malt extracts
• Crushed malt
• English bittering and flavouring hops
• Brew blend
• Specialised yeast and yeast nutrients
• Beer finings
• Brewing manual

You will need the following equipment and consumables (not included):

• An 8-10L pot with stirring spoon or brewing paddle
• A small grain steeping bag
• A fermenter and cleaning/sterilizing agents for same;
• A thermometer
• Optional: a hydrometer
• Bottles and caps
• Cleaning and sanitizing agents
• Priming sugar or carbonation drops

Note: unlike brew cans, this beer does NOT require the purchase of an additional brew blend; this is already in the box and included in the price.

For more details download manual in PDF format.

(Listed in: Stovetop Beer Kits)

Killarney Red is an Irish red ale: an easy-drinking pint with a reddish-copper colour, a smooth, malt-forward character and initial hints of toffee and caramel, a slightly biscuity palate and a medium-dry finish with a hint of roasty notes. It has a medium body and a restrained yet typically British hop character.

• Batch size: 20 litres
• OG: 1,044
• FG: 1.010 (estimated)
• ABV: about 4.3 % before priming; about 4.5% after bottle conditioning
• IBU: 20-24 (exact value depending on boil times, pot sizes, altitude and the vigour of the boil)

These are estimated values; your actual results may vary slightly.

What's in the box:

• Dry malt extracts
• Crushed malt
• English bittering and flavouring hops
• Brew blend
• Specialised yeast and yeast nutrients
• Beer finings
• Brewing manual

You will need the following equipment and consumables (not included):

• An 8-10L pot with stirring spoon or brewing paddle
• A small grain steeping bag
• A fermenter and cleaning/sterilizing agents for same;
• A thermometer
• Optional: a hydrometer
• Bottles and caps
• Cleaning and sanitizing agents
• Priming sugar or carbonation drops

Note: unlike brew cans, this beer does NOT require the purchase of an additional brew blend; this is already in the box and included in the price.

For more details download manual in PDF format.

(Listed in: Stovetop Beer Kits)

Saint-Affrique is a typical Saison: an artisanal beer pale in colour, aromatic, refreshing, pleasantly dry and with a moderate bitterness, and seasoned with coriander for extra complexity. It features a light body, a soft malt character with a slightly earthy undertone on the palate; restrained fruity accents reminiscent of citrus; floral hops; subtle spicy notes of pepper and cardamom; a respectable but not overwhelming alcohol content and a dry finish. Originally a farmhouse ale, this highly attenuated beer was typically brewed during the harvesting season in Wallonia (the French-spoken southern part of Belgium) and in France, but has since become a mainstream style with a higher alcohol content and a unique, complex character.

In addition to the contents of this beer kit, you will need to add 250 grams of white or light brown granulated table sugar.

• Batch size: 20 litres
• OG: 1,046
• FG: 1.000-1.002 (estimated)
• ABV: about 5.7 % before priming; about 6% after bottle conditioning
• IBU: 18-22 (exact value depending on boil times, pot sizes, altitude and the vigour of the boil)

These are estimated values; your actual results may vary slightly.

What's in the box:

• Dry malt extracts
• Crushed malt
• Continental bittering and flavouring hops
• Coriander seeds
• Brew blend
• Specialised yeast and yeast nutrients
• Beer finings
• Brewing manual

You will need the following equipment and consumables (not included):

• An 8-10L pot with stirring spoon or brewing paddle
• A small grain steeping bag
• A fermenter and cleaning/sterilizing agents for same;
• A thermometer
• Optional: a hydrometer
• Mortar & pestle or a bowl an spoon (to crush the coriander seeds
• 250 gr. white or light brown table sugar
• Bottles and caps
• Cleaning and sanitizing agents
• Priming sugar or carbonation drops

Note: unlike brew cans, this beer does NOT require the purchase of an additional brew blend; this is already in the box and included in the price.

For more details download manual in PDF format.

(Listed in: Stovetop Beer Kits)