Taste Away - Craft Festival Durban

Festivals around SA are becoming a big thing of recent, whether it be Craft Beer Festivals, Street Food Festivals, Craft Gin Festivals and I could really go on, but you get the point. The locals have really taken to these and love spending the day out with friends and family, enjoying what that there is to offer at each of these unique festivals. With this in mind, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to combine all the favourite craft elements into one quintessential occasion, the organisers dub it "a vacation for the senses where one would enjoy everything from craft beer and gourmet food vendors, to thrilling live entertainment and music, to artisan gin and epicurean desserts." 

For many, it ticks all the right boxes and there's a variety for everyone's taste so it is the perfect festival to attend, plus being on the  public holiday weekend, there's no need to worry about the hangover the next day. Some of the listed attractions are a live music stage, loads of craft brewers, artisanal gin, scrumptious food vendors, secure parking, fully stocked bar for non-beer/ gin drinkers and the festival is for all ages, being a family friendly event with a kids area. 

Catch live performances on the day from local artists such as Easy Freak, The Kickstands, Lubz (ECR) Catlike Thieves and Gavin Ferguson Music. Tickets are available online via Webtickets or at Pick n Pay. Note, Webtickets do add a small booking fee upon purchase. Prices for tickets are as follows.

Adults phase 1: R130

Adults phase 2: R150

Kids (ages 2-13): R60

Phase 1 tickets are currently 53% sold, so hurry up if you want that discount! The festival takes place on the Kings Park outer fields, with free on field parking allocated for the day, however, parking will be offered on a first come, first served basis as space is limited. Organisers encourage attendees to carpool or to use taxi services such as Uber or Taxify. Alternatively you can make use of parking spaces in Kings Park Stadium Complex or surrounding areas. 

For more information, visit their Facebook page, or email them at info@tasteaway.co.za

SA on Tap - Craft Food & Music Festival

It's probably one of the best and by far my favourite Craft Beer festival around and it's back this weekend in Durban! It is the biggest festival of it's kind with over 200 different brews, ciders, gins and more featured this year, there is plenty on offer to quench any thirst in the Durban hot sun. Organisers say that this event is built around the people who attend and they want you there this weekend! With over 90% of the tickets sold already, their call has been answered. It's a great outing for friends and families with much on offer. There will be a stage with some great local talent to entertain the masses, Majozi and Shortstraw just to name a few. There will also be a selection of gourmet street food stalls for you to chose from. 

Participating breweries for the event are many of the KZN local brewers, namely Nottingham Road, Zwakala, That Brewing Co, Mag Giant, Sxollie Cider, Growler, Drifter, Clarens, Smack Republic, Copperlake, Eversnos Cider, Standeaven, Time Anchor Distillery, Mainstram, Robsons, Two Okes, Scvenger Brewery, Basset, Great Railroad, Durban Brewing Co, Toti Brewing Co, Clockworx, Dragon Brewing Co, Distillery 031, Poison City and a variety of wine. Apart from featuring their normal range, there will be 32 Festival speciality brews so be sure to inquire about them on the day. 

This years festival see's it return to the Kings Park outer fields this Saturday the 12th of August, with gates opening at 11am for a day long fun filled time where visitors can enjoy a selction of bews, a gin garndem, lots of games and live entertainment. People attending are encouraged to bring picnic blankets, camping chairs and beach umbrellas. For those bringing children, there will be dedicated child minding areas. Tickets can be bought online via the website and a selction of glasses to chose from. Some of which are already soldout, tickets are R130 online or R150 on the day, on the day tickets are subject to availability. 

Consol Craft Beer Revolution - Competition

As the saying goes, "its always better in glass" and I don't know about you but I prefer it in glass as well. Whether it's cool drink or an ice cold beer, nothing beats drink it out of glass that is why Consol is SA's largest producer of the materiel and is proud sponsor of the Craft Beer Revolution which happens in Durban for the very first time this Saturday!

Craft beer has really taken off in our drinking culture with many opting to choose from the variety of micro brewers, rather than opting for the mass produced brands that we've become so accustomed to. The difference is always in the taste, craft beer is all about the flavours – full and interesting ingredients that combine to produce bold notes and rich aromas that will educate even the most seasoned palate. Brewed naturally, from the best quality and 100% natural ingredients, with no additives, preservatives, thickeners or stabilisers, microbrewers need packaging that preserves taste and extends shelf life.

The event takes place at Suncoast Casino in Durban on the 7th of March, it runs from 12pm till 6pm. Visitos can look forward to sampling some of the best Craft on offer, the makers that will be present showcasing their specialities are: Shongweni Brewery, Basstt Brewery, TwoOkes Brewery, The Standeavon Brewery, Craft Republic (featuring Darling Brew, Soweto Gold, Dragon Brewing Company and Irish Gold) and that Brewing Co. The event is perfect for the expert drink but also for the "beer-ginner" as they have the chance to taste and find out more about each blend, the ingridients that go into them and find a prefernece so the next time they go out, they know what to order. If you're totally against beer, fear not as there is an artisan boutique winery for those that prefer grapes over hops.

Apart from great craft beer and wine, there will also be some of the best, mouth watering Durban gourmet street food on offer to purchase. with many local favourites which include, Unity Brasserie & Bar, Renegade Kitchen, Maddison Bakery & Café Vigour. There will also be live entertainment on hand to keep your feet tapping while enjoying your beverage of choice and eats, some of the bands that will be playing are the Gus Brown Band, The Kickstands, John Ellis and Callie & Barry Thomson, who will entertain throughout the day.

All food and drink purchased on site will be done using the festival currency called “Castros”. Each Castro is worth R5 and can be purchased at the event in denominations of R100 booklets. Tickets cost R100.00 (includes a free beer glass) and can be purchased online at www.iTickets.co.za and www.thecraftrevolution.co.za or on entry at the door.

For more info on the Consol Craft Revolution 

Facebook: ConsolCraftKZN

Twitter: @KZNCraftRev

Website: www.thecraftrevolution.co.za

Competition time! Stand a chance to win tickets for you and your partner to this weekends Consol Craft Beer Revolution happening at Suncoast Casino, Durban! All you have to do is tweet me, @AMG133 " I want to win with the Bucket and Consol  #ConsolCraftKZN ".  

Competition ends at midnight tonight, winners will be notified via twitter on Thursday. There are 4 double tickets up for grabs so get tweeting!