SAB Newlands Brewery Tour

On Monday, July 30, 2012 I accompanied 10 media from various publications on a tour of South African Breweries' Newlands Brewery.

I had sent out invitations and set up this media tour in an attempt to educate the environmental media in Cape Town about SAB's contribution to water efficiency.  SAB obtains their water from the Liesbeeck River, and while brewing millions of litres of beer on a daily basis, it was important to highlight the measures that SAB are taking to use as little water as possible.

The tour was highly educational as we were given a first-hand insight into how the beer that we, as South Africans love so much, is made.  SAB are the producers of well-known alcoholic brands, such as Hansa Pilsener, Carling Black Label, Castle Lager, Castle Light, Castle Milk Stout, Peroni, Redd's, and Brutal Fruit, to name just a few.

After listening to two presentations from the General Manger and Manager of Environmental Affairs, respectively, we were given a guided tour of the brewery by the head of Engineering of the Newlands Brewery.
The ingredients - including the special 'hops' that SAB makes use of - are mixed in large containers for about three hours before going in to fermentation.  Each brand of beer consists of special ingredients which are mixed together in these containers by means of special formulas.  The containers are flushed once a week to ensure they remain clean and free of bacteria.  Once the beer has been fermented, it is passed down the production line where bottles and cleaned and filled and labeled.

The containers where the ingredients are mixed

The process is mind-blowing and one can see the attention to detail that is required in the factory as well as with the machinery. The bottles move across the conveyer belt at a significant speed, all in the right place and at the right time. The realisation is that one barely thinks about the extensive planning and preparation it takes to produce just one beer, while we sit back and enjoy the great taste that has taken hours to prepare.

After the tour, we all sat down to enjoy a delicious lunch in the bar area where questions could be asked and guests were able to enjoy their long-awaited refreshments.

The tour of the SAB Newlands Brewery is definitely one that you should experience, whether you enjoy the taste of beer or not!

To book your tour, call 021 658 7440, email newlandstours@za.sabmiller.com, or visit the Newlands Brewery website on www.newlandsbrewery.co.za.

Tours are available weekdays at 10am, 12pm and 2pm; and Saturdays at 10am.  Tours cost R30 per person and includes two complimentary drinks.