Righteous Brewing

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA As for the glasses, you'd be shocked how many glasses get broken and stolen. No small brewer can keep up with replacing them. I believe that bar is changing to their own branded glasses to get around that problem.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA I agree, but it is harder than you might expect since there is a lot of factors behind that pour.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@beerbarbeyond @HopticalA Totally agree, and I think they will as the competitions grow. If you look at competitions like GABF in the states they have a huge number of categories and those prizes are really prestigious and have contributed to the success of many great breweries.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@beerbarbeyond @HopticalA Most judges are beer geeks themselves, and I've never heard a judge describe a well brewed experimental beer as an abomination or anything similar. Remember, they are judging within a framework (usually BJCP) in which any style can do well if entered correctly.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@beerbarbeyond @HopticalA Do you mean the idea of beer awards is trash, or that there is a problem with the running of the competitions resulting in beer awards?

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA Sorry dude. That sucks balls

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA But damn hops are great hey?!

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA Fair point - exposure to classic examples is a problem in the SA judging scene but is getting much better. I guess my point is that IPA is a broad category for judging and is open to significant interpretation.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA One thing to remember is the BJCP guidelines are descriptive, in that they include characteristics of a broad style (IPA) that has evolved dramatically over the years. Beers like Anchor Liberty IPA were once considered hop bombs, but now are barely a hoppy as many pale ales.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA Yeah I agree man. Not a fan of that sickly sweet nonsense. I hope you get a good fresh one if you try it again - I was really pleasantly surprised when I had it.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA Top be fair, a fresh Skeleton Coast is a pretty good example of a classic west coast IPA according to the BJCP guidelines. It's so hard to find a fresh example in Joburg though. Most of it seems to sit on warm shelves killing all the hop character and making it overly sweet.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA I think part of the problem is the most common question an SA brewer gets asked is "what do you have that is similar to castle light?". We need to be the ones to ask "what do you have that will blow my brains out with hoppy glory?" 😀

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA I'm sorry that that has been your experience. It's not cool. However, I do believe that if enough people give the same feedback, the brewers will respond positively.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA I think you're right to call out mediocrity. My feeling is that we need to be careful how we do that. The SA beer scene is still in it's infancy and we stand to gain by promoting the good parts of it which will lead to expansion and more good beer.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA It's tough I know. My approach is to highlight and promote the good stuff I have. When I have a beer that is off, I mail the brewers privately. 95% appreciate the feedback. If you don't think the beer is up to scratch (not infected but boring), say so - "Needs more hops" etc

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA The good breweries are experimenting and putting out really awesome and interesting stuff. Our choice as consumers is to make the industry better by supporting - buying good beer, giving constructive feedback, spreading the word. The brewers will respond and we will benefit.

[Righteous Brewing @righteousbrewer]

@HopticalA As for variety, unfortunately it's going to take a while. A combination of structural, economic and social factors mean that development and expansion of this industry will take time. But I believe it will lead to incredible creativity.