DrinksWorld

Holger talks to Warren Harries-Jones founder of Dragon Fiery Ginger Beer. Warren is an engineer as well as a charted accountant. Warren started Dragon Ginger in his kitchen in Melkbos in 2011. The brand is now available in most decent bottle stores and pubs. Warren and Marco have just returned from a successful trip to Europe and have returned with some export orders.

From selling Computer hardware to selling Zambezi Lager. We chat to Kieran Tracy, who started Zambezi Beverages in 1991/2 just when National Breweries started making Zambezi Lager.

Kieran distributed brands like Zambezi, Two Dogs with Mike Hayesman, Sol, Bollingers.

Hear how Kieran managed to sell a 30 - 40 containers of Zambezi Lager when the Taverner’s Association had a dispute with SAB, which lead to a boycott of SAB products during the December 1993 period.

We chat about the Africa Pack from SAB.

Kieran then started importing Seltzer, an Icelandic water in a clear can in 1996, followed by Snapple and Monster.

Durban Poison is a finger in the face of conformity.

“Amongst the iconic South African Cities, Durban is the ugly sister, less beautiful than Cape Town and poorer than Johannesburg, but this edgy industrial city, near the beach and by the country, is in its own way beautiful amongst the sisters, she’s the keeper.”

Poison City is a lifestyle brand built around Durban and its surfing lifestyle.

Poison City: Holger talks to Graeme "Surfing" Bird from Poison City Brewing about what makes Durban famous: Is it the harbour, Johnny’s Chip & Cheese Roti's, no it's Surfing and the Rebel Lifestyle.

Graeme wants to creating a brand that makes Durban proud.

Poison City brewed their first beer, The Bird Lager, with Sean and Paul at That Brewing Company, the second beer, The Punk Rocker, an English Pale Ale with Jason at Toti Brewing Company, then The Kiff, a Belgian Wit with Shaun Standeaven and then The Other Bird, a Czech Dark Lager, which was developed by Czech brewing veteran Ladislav Vesely. Next up is the Wedge, an American style, Imperial Pale Ale, and then when the time is right, Graeme is planning to launch a mass market beer, called Durban Poison.

Lessons from Kevin Hedderwick, from Famous Brands, etc

Poison City beers are available in over 100 outlets in Kzn and over 200 nationally, e.g. Tops at Spar, Beerhouse, Republik, Bananjam, etc

To catch Graeme’s story subscribe to my podcast subscribe on Android or on iTunes

Simone Musgrave We chat with Simone, the founder of Musgrave Gin.

Musgrave currently has two gins: Musgrave 11 the original Musgrave Gin is all about Africa & spices born out of the flavours and history of Africa and its ancient spice route. Musgrave Pink Gin has all of the spice and flavour of Musgrave 11 but is toned down to be gentler and less spicy and to bring out the floral of the rosehips and the infused rosewater.

Simone is a pro at developing brands - she has taken craft gin to the next level.

Simone surrounds herself with experts… from brand developers to distillers and sales.

A great product and brand is important, but Route to market & sales is everything.

We chat with Manfred Haf who worked for Dr Anton Rupert’s Rembrandt Group selling tobacco products, Intercontinental Breweries. IC brands included Kronenbrau 1308, Heidelberg, Sportsman Lager & Colt 45. The Beer war of the 70’s lasted for about 7 years, before IC was sold to SAB in return for a controlling share in Stellenbosch Farmers Winery.

Manfred tells how SAB dominated the market and how they managed to capture a significant portion of the market in South Africa. IC got a lot of exposure with their Clydesdale horse wagons.

In 1980’s Manfred helped Namibian Breweries open depots in Johannesburg and Cape Town to launch Windhoek Beer in South Africa.

Today Manfred helps Flare Beverages as the national sales manager. We talk Erdinger, Paulaner & Bitburger.

Manfred's motto: offer a good product and support it with good service.

There are some exiting new developments on the horizon that we are looking forward to.

Peter Dean and his family own the Rawdons Hotel and The Nottingham Road Craft Brewery. They are celebrating the Pig's 21st birthday this year. Holger & Peter's paths crossed in 1999 when Peter needed a light lager for the Bierfassl.