Shongweni Brewery - Recent Press Releases:
PRESS RELEASE 6th January 2010
‘Robson’s – One of the World’s Best Brews’ brewed in Durban
‘Robson’s beers are single-handedly dragging South Africa kicking and screaming onto the global craft brewing map from their Durban based Shongweni Brewery.’ At least that is the opinion of internationally respected beer writer, Ben McFarland. In his latest book, ‘World’s Best Beers 1000 Unmissable Brews’ McFarland takes us on a journey around the world looking at the best beers and breweries on each continent. When he arrives in Africa the only brewery of note is Shongweni Brewery, brewers of Robson’s, with a feature double page spread in the impressive hardback book and a prominence of their craft beers over the usual mass produced beers on offer here in South Africa.
Brewery Director, Sherene, is pleased with their inclusion since ‘the feature profile on our brewery puts us alongside brewers such as Pilsner Urquell, Duvel, and Anchor, all recognised global giants of the brewing world. To be included in such a list shows that we are certainly doing something right here at the brewery.’
Head Brewer, Stuart, adds ‘Ben spent some time interviewing us for the book and it was clear he knows his brewing. To have someone in the international trade of his standing put five of our beers into the global best list is great. All we need to do is spread the message here in South Africa that real global quality beer is brewed right here in Durban .’
And the message is certainly spreading, toward the end of 2009 the brewery signed a new distribution contract with national distributor Beverage Emporium, based in Pinetown, which has seen the beers availability in KwaZulu-Natal increase substantially and has also provided the brewery with the opportunity to expand distribution around South Africa including Gauteng and the Western Cape.
However, the brewery is not stopping there, ‘With the great publicity that we receive internationally from books such as Ben’s we are looking to expand our existing export business and we hope to finalise contracts with distributors in Germany, Canada and the United States of America during the first quarter of 2010.’
The brewery is always happy to introduce people to the world of craft brewing and welcomes regular tours on Saturday afternoons and will also continue its regular live music events during 2010, contact the brewery for more details on 031 769 2061 or via info@robsonsbeer.com.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Further information about Robson’s beer and Shongweni Brewery can be found at www.robsonsbeer.com. Ben McFarland’s book ‘World’s Best Beers’ is published by Jacqui Small 2009 ISBN 978-1-906417-28-4. Any further queries see contact below
PRESS RELEASE 12th September 2009
Beer, Bikes and Rugby 12th September 2009
Robson’s have teamed up with renowned local mountain bike park, Giba Gorge, to bring you a morning to remember. Kicking off the day at 7am with a social bike trail around some of the best mountain biking on offer in South Africa riders will return in time to catch the kick off of the all important South Africa New Zealand Tri-Nations match on the big screen. After all that exercise everyone will be hungry and thirsty and the chefs at Giba have worked with the brewers at Robson’s to provide a beer tasting and food matching experience and of course a bar to keep the beer flowing while the Springboks take on the Kiwis.
PRESS RELEASE 1st September 2009
Busy time brewing for Pierhead UK 1st September 2009
The brewery has been working double shifts during August and September brewing 23,000 bottles of beer all destined for export to the UK while continuing to brew for our growing local market here in South Africa. Pierhead Wines, based in the UK, have been working with the brewery since 2007, and the latest shipment includes the four regular beers, East Coast Ale, Durban Pale Ale, West Coast Ale and Wheat Beer. Over half of the current order is our award winning West Coast Ale and the brewery is excited at the prospect of seeing South Africa’s best micro-brewery beer of 2009 taking its place on the shelves in stores and bars across the UK.
Brewery Director, Sherene, said ‘Michael Cook, and his team at Pierhead, have shown a commitment to our brewery and beers over the last couple of years and with this order, and in particular the inclusion of our award winning West Coast Ale, we hope to show the British beer drinking public that there is a lot more to South African beer than the mass produced offerings from global brewing giants.’
Robson’s brewer, Stuart, was thinking ahead to 2010 when he said ‘I hope that football fans from the UK get a taste for our beers over the next few months and that we can welcome them at the brewery during the World Cup here in Durban next year.’
PRESS RELEASE 6th July 2009
Robson’s West Coast Ale is ‘Best Beer’ at South Africa’s Annual Beer Festival 6th July 2009
Robson’s West Coast Ale, the dark American style lager brewed by Shongweni Brewery has just won ‘Best in Show’ at the annual Solstice Beer Festival in Gauteng. Hosted at the Irish Bar and judged by prestigious ‘BJCP beer judge’ professionals including Prof. Mike Heydenrych, Andre de Beer, Willie le Roux, and Dr. Chris Roth the smooth drinking beer that combines both lager and ale brewing techniques came out on top. Festival organiser, Dirk Van Tonder, has run smaller beer festivals in the past but this year wanted to bring together beers from all of South Africa’s growing brewing community. ‘With around fifteen of South Africa’s independent breweries exhibiting their range of beers at the show the Solstice festival provides a great opportunity for the drinking public to experience the range, diversity and quality that exists outside the usual offerings from the multi-nationals’.
Brewery Director, Sherene Hauptfleisch, adds ‘Robson’s always aims to be the best not the biggest brewery in South Africa, this award of ‘Best in Show’ to our West Coast Ale goes some way to showing we are meeting our aspirations.’ Robson’s Head Brewer, Stuart, was disappointed not to be able to attend the festival himself but had very good reason. ‘My daughter was born at the time of the festival but, not too worry, since I have got a brew in mind to celebrate her birthday next year and will be entering that into the show. I hope that her first birthday present will be her very own beer with another ‘Best in Show’ rosette.’
PRESS RELEASE March 2009
Local is Lekker as Robson’s Durban Pale Ale makes it onto renowned ‘Beers of the Year 2008’ List
The brewers of Robson’s beers have hit the high notes again with the recent listing of brewery regulars favourite Durban Pale Ale in the renowned ‘Beers of the Year 2008’ listing by the respected European beer journalists Roger Protz and Tom Cannavan on http://www.beer-pages.com/beers-of-the-year-2008.shtml
Brewery Director Sherene said ‘For our Durban Pale Ale to be recognised as one of the top world beers for 2008 is an outstanding achievement for the brewery and everyone associated with it. For too long it has been suggested to South African beer lovers that so called ‘imported’ beers are somehow superior to our local products. Well here we are firmly stating the case with our Pale Ale that internationally recognised quality beers are being produced here by independent brewers.’
Robson’s Head Brewer, Stuart, adds ‘There are many brewing industry awards around the world, most organised by and for the trade, but this type of listing, by independent journalists is appreciated by brewers as it is directly linked to beer consumers and their preferences. It shows our bottle-conditioned beers are amongst the best in the world and this is very exciting for us.’
The Brewery released its first beers into the South African market in the Autumn of 2007 and within three months had showcased four of its beers at the International British Beer Festival in London leading to an export contract supplying the UK and subsequently Belgium, Holland and Germany. The beers proved a great success overseas with the brewery flagship ‘East Coast Ale’ becoming the beer of the month last October in many English pubs. At the moment the brewery is negotiating distribution into other neighbouring countries where its unique bottle-conditioned beers will stand out from the usual crowd of mass produced lagers.
On the home front locals are not missing out on the chance to drink some of the worlds’ best beers. The brewery has recently contracted with a distribution agency and the beers are now becoming more available in places like the Midlands, Durban North, and the SouthCoast resorts, and there will soon be wider distribution within Gauteng and the Cape.
Not satisfied with one beer the Brewery has also had four beers, Durban Pale Ale, East Coast Ale, Wheat Beer, and Mango Beer included in a forthcoming ‘World Top 1000’ beer book due out later this year and written by the respected Ben McFarland who has won many awards from the Guild of Beer Writers for his journalism. ‘Ben has been in touch with us at the brewery’ said Sherene ‘and although I can’t say too much at the moment we are looking forward to his book and seeing our brewery included in it.’
A list of the current local outlets is available on www.robsonsbeer.com.
PRESS RELEASE July 2008
Durban’s Local Brewery receives International Recognition
Shongweni Brewery, the brewers of Robson’s Premium Beers, recently received international recognition for the quality of their beers.
The Brewery is included in the ‘Beer Book’ to be published by Dorling Kindersley in Europe, North America and South Africa later this year.
The ‘Beer book’ showcases the best breweries around the world and Shongweni Brewery is South Africa’s entry. It is an extensive directory of over 2000 beers and is the ideal drinking companion.
Brewery Director, Sherene, has just returned from a trip to England where she met with distributors and retailers stocking Robson’s Beers.
She said ‘It was exciting to see our range on the store shelves in the UK side by side with the best beers in the world. At one particular store, Trafalgar Wines in Brighton they stock over 800 different beers and the owner said that our beers are proving to be very popular.'
For South Africans living in the UK London based Cape Wines and Food provide an outlet for home comforts and they too stock the Robson’s beers. ‘The reception of our beer in the UK market has been beyond our expectations and we are looking forward to the next export order later this year’ said Sherene.
Returning to the ‘Beer Book’ Head Brewer Stuart said ‘To be included is to be recognised by the brewing industry as a brewer of great beer and there is no better feeling for a brewer.’
PRESS RELEASE February 2008
Local Beer Goes International
The beer is flowing in celebration at Shongweni Brewery in the Valley of 1000 Hills as their first major consignment of beer leaves Durban Harbour for Europe on 22nd February 2008.
‘We are extremely excited about our premium beers leaving for Europe where they will stand side by side in shops and bars with the great beers from around the world’ said Head Brewer Stuart.
The beers have been purchased by Pierhead Purchasing, a major beverage distribution company based in the UK.
Michael Cook, Director of imported beers at Pierhead said recently that he ‘expects that the unique beers from Robson’s of South Africa, particularly their fruit beers, will make a huge impact in the European market this coming summer.’
‘It is wonderful that a South African company is exporting beer to Europe’ said Director Sherene. ‘Here in South Africa we are consistently fed the mantra that imported beers from the giant global brewers are the gold standard in international beer, and here we are proving that local, independently produced beers deserve their place on the world stage, and of course the local one.’
Later this year Stuart intends travelling overseas on business he says ‘I look forward to being able to sit and discuss the brewing industry with my colleagues in England while sipping a Durban Pale Ale or Mango Fruit Beer.’
PRESS RELEASE November 2007
Local is Lekker!!
Local businesses supporting one another is always great news and when Shongweni Brewery and the Green Man Pub and Restaurant got together on Saturday 17th November you can be sure the day was one to remember.
‘We have been very well supported by the local community since we started brewing here in Shongweni, and a few weeks ago, literally out of the mist, appeared Clinton and Adele from the Green Man in Kloof’ said brewery Director Sherene Robson. ‘We had heard good things about Robson’s beers so we had to talk to the brewery to find out more’ adds Clinton, owner of the Green Man.
It was obvious from their first meeting that Shongweni Brewery and the Green Man had a lot in common. ‘The Green Man is probably the best kept secret in Kloof’ said Robson’s Head Brewer Stuart ‘and it is exactly the kind of place, with excellent food and a real community feel to it that our beers should be available in.’
Though it might seem like an obvious relationship between a pub and a brewery as Adele from the Green Man said ‘We believe that by bringing Robson’s premium beers here we are creating a unique offering in this area and that is something that our customers have come to appreciate, and expect.’
The day included matching Robson’s beers with a variety of food including ploughman’s, meats, sausages and cheeses from Fairview, and live ‘English Pub’ music, including the occasional cameo from the crowd in the pub.
PRESS RELEASE November 2007
Durban’s Local Beers soon for Sale in Europe
Following the success of Robson’s Premium Beers at London’s Great British Beer Festival in August the Shongweni Brewery has secured a significant export order from a large European distributor.
Brewery Director, Sherene, says ‘This export order is great news for the brewery. Our beers are already available in Amsterdam and this order means that they will soon be widely available in outlets across the United Kingdom and Europe.’
The UK based distributor has ordered a variety of beers including Durban Pale Ale, Wheat Beer, and a variety of fruit beers. ‘Our pineapple and mango beers are probably unique in the world of commercial brewing and together with the Durban Pale Ale we believe that these beers will do a lot to promote the image of Durban and KZN overseas’ said Sherene.
The order will also indirectly benefit various local businesses. ‘The brewery philosophy is to source locally where possible and we will be buying the fruit and wheat for this order from small, independent producers, known to the brewery’ said Head Brewer, Stuart Robson. He added ‘To fulfil this order as well as the growing local demand we are going to be in the brewery almost every day between now and Christmas, but I can’t think of a better place to spend my time!’.
Sherene added ‘We believe that this is going to be the first of many regular export orders but it will not interfere with our dedication and support to the local market as we continue to increase the availability of our beers throughout South Africa.’
PRESS RELEASE November 2007
Shongweni Brewery Gets Fruity Again!
Inspired by the brewing traditions of Belgium Shongweni Brewery are about to release Strawberry beer onto the market in time for Christmas.
Head Brewer, Stuart, said ‘Fruit beers have been produced for centuries in the low countries of Europe and following the success of our Pineapple beer earlier this year we have just finished conditioning our strawberry beer in time for Christmas.’
Fruit beers are not Ciders, they are made from malted barley, hops, and water just like regular beer but as Stuart added ‘Our strawberry beer has over 100kg of fruit in the recipe to give us the flavour and aroma we want to achieve.’
Brewery Director, Sherene, says ‘Fruit beers are great for the Summer and we will be producing other seasonal fruit beers over the next few months.’
As a special promotion for the holiday period the brewery is releasing the Strawberry beer, together with their popular regular beers, East Coast Ale, Wheat Beer and Durban Pale Ale in limited edition 550ml bottles.
The beers are also available in a special wire basket as a gift. ‘The baskets have been beautifully made and supplied to us by talented people sourced through a local HIV/Aids charity which also receives a donation from each basket produced. We are pleased that we have been able to support this important local initiative over the festive period’ said Sherene.
PRESS RELEASE July 2007
New Craft Brewery in the 1000 Hills matches fine food and great beer
Durban has a new brewery nestled in the Valley of 1000 Hills.
Shongweni Brewery produces the Robson’s range of bottle-conditioned beers, with four beers currently available and a fifth due for release later this year, to be followed by further seasonal fruit beers.
The Brewery Director, Sherene Robson, who has recently returned to South Africa after over ten years overseas, explained the story behind the brewery. ‘We have set out to achieve two principle goals; bringing exciting new beers to the South African market and introducing the concept of matching excellent foods with quality, hand crafted beers.’
The Brewery, which was designed and manufactured specifically for the production of specialist ales and beers, produces beers based on the great global styles.
Sherene said ‘Our range is inspired by the brewing traditions of Germany for our Wheat Beer, Belgium for our Fruit Beers, England for our Pale Ale, and California for our West Coast Ale. However, we are proud of our locally inspired beer, East Coast Ale, a lively and refreshing golden ale.’ She continued ‘East Coast Ale is definitely the flagship beer and we are already hearing people talk about it as the ‘Beer to Braai for’ which is great news as it links our beer with food, though all of our beers find excellent matches with diverse cuisines.’
She also went on to explain that bottle-conditioned beer is produced in a similar way to champagne, a process that provides wonderful fresh flavours and a pleasant, natural effervescence. ‘Bottle-conditioned beer can also be cellared and overtime the flavours will develop producing beers of amazing complexity and taste.’
In closing we asked Sherene why a brewery and why she established it here in KwaZulu-Natal. She responded ‘Beer has a long history, and in all likelihood was first made accidentally somewhere in Africa. History also tells us that women were the first ‘brewmasters’, so I suppose that I am re-establishing a tradition that is thousands of years old.’
