Many people start their day with a cup of tea. But those who drink it piping hot could be increasing their risk of esophageal cancer, according to a new study.
The Western Cape might be South Africa’s wine capital — renowned around the world as the home of some of the country’s most famous labels — but not far from Stellenbosch’s fertile vineyards there’s another drink brewing up a storm.
Inspired by an international boom for local, independent microbreweries, the business of craft beer has also taken off in South Africa recently, as growing numbers of small producers are experimenting with styles and techniques to satisfy a rising thirst for new flavors and novel brews.
“There is a massive demand,” says Dan Badenhorst, co-founder of Devil’s Peak Brewing Company, just one of the several microbreweries to come out of Cape Town in recent times.
“We started off in a garage, from there we bought our own 500-liter system and now we are in this new 1,500-liter system,” he adds. “Constantly, our biggest challenge has been keeping up with the demand.”
Craft beer is traditionally produced by independent breweries on a much smaller scale than the multinationals.
In South Africa, a country with a strong beer culture, consumers have traditionally opted for mass-produced beer products. South African Breweries is a subsidiary of SABMiller, the world’s second-largest brewer, and accounts for more than 90% of the country’s beer market.
But the smaller players have also started making a mark.
