For the first time in Cape Town, 10 small independently owned micro-breweries came under one banner of #RealBeer. I don’t think anyone was quiet prepared for the overwhelming success of this initiative sparked by &Union and Jack Black Beer. Cape Town’s inner city trendsters are already well versed in the black-boarded, twanky-tuned, hay-bail circled organic-ness of that Saturday morning religious gathering, the Neighborhood Goods Market. So it seemed a natural flow for the Old Biscuit Mill to be the new home of the We ❤ Real Beer Festival.

We arrived early for Capetonians, which means we were actually on time. An hour later there was a clear distinction between those in the know and those in the Queue. I just can’t get over how good, natural, well-dressed and healthy everybody looks. While there is still a lot of light around I take out a 70-200mm f2.8, a mini-monster of a lens. I notice a lot of furtive glances at my piece. Everybody has just started sipping their first round of craft beer but another one or two honey blond’s should knock the edge off. Trying to take individual close-ups is not going to work. Rather just take pictures of what I’m seeing, the happy golden gush of it all. Laughing girls who love beer and still stay in shape. Foodie’s huddle together scribbling tastes before losing their mental notes later in the revelry. A warm fuzzy buzz of freshly crafted feel good washing through the chattering mobs. I switch to a 50mm prime and snap some friends, details, pourings, being all subtle about it. And now there’s Snoddie and Bauke crashing through the crowd. Bursting into your face with camera, microphone and open-ended questions.

The #RealBeer Festival was organized by Brewers &Union and Jack Black Beer. The other Breweries that were there included Mitchells Brewery, Boston Brewery, Camel Thorn, Paulaner Waterfront Brewery, Birkenhead Brewery, Napier Brewery, Darling Brew and South Yeasters.

On twitter:
Jack Black Beer: @Jackblackbeer
&Union: @andUnion