Behind SA’s craft beer brewhaha
Devil’s Peak towers increasingly over the craft beer market like the mountain for which it is named, and some of the smaller players are feeling a bit flat about losing access to draught customers
SA’s craft beer market is in a state of ferment, as small brewers — already strained in a niche market — feel the pinch of competition from a larger player. At the heart of the issue is what alcoholic beverages consultant Murray Slater calls "beer real estate": the number of draught taps available to brewers to dispense their product. And Devil’s Peak, one of SA’s largest craft brewers, has bought a lot of it recently. While some say this is simply good business sense, it’s left a slightly bitter taste for others. It took a few years for Devil’s Peak to find its feet in the Western Cape market after it was founded by Signal Hill Products in 2012. Having done that, its focus moved to broadening its base in SA and abroad — a move that required significant investment, says Devil’s Peak director Russell Boltman. Enter The Tap Room. A beer distributor, The Tap Room used to own — and now services — draught taps in bars and restaurants around SA, providing an outlet for smaller brewers to ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.