SPECIALLY brewed beer Soweto Gold is set to start flowing locally in the first week of June.
Yesterday, imported machinery arrived at the Ubuntu Kraal in Orlando West, Soweto, where the township's first brewery will officially operate.
Ndumiso Madlala, who founded the beer label under his company MadMead Brewing, said the launch of the brewery is set to complete "the Soweto experience".
The beer will still be brewed at the Nottingham Road brewery in KwaZulu-Natal, while Madlala's equipment is being installed.
The machinery, which is expected to be fully operational by June, includes a brew house, fermentation vessels and water tanks, among other equipment.
Madlala has also brought on board the expertise of popular shebeen queen Nancy Nxumalo.
Described as having the usual bitter taste of beer with a lingering sweetness, SG was launched during last year's annual Soweto Beer Festival in October.
Madlala said the brew became a hit with local beer drinkers, selling over 38000 cans since then.
The brewery's official launch will be marked by a beer garden event to be held at Ubuntu Kraal on April 25.
"It has been a very long journey after we struggled knocking on so many doors.
"But I am proud to say that we stayed true to our vision by making this South Africa's first majority black-owned brewery," Madlala said.
While SG Superior Lager is the company's flagship product, Madlala said they would launch other beers, including SG Lite and SG Apple Ale, which is suited for cider drinkers.
Madlala said they aimed to make at least 40000 litres of beer a month with the hope of increasing that volume to 250000 litres within the next three years.
He said recruitment for on-site staff would begin during May, with the anticipation of the brewery employing just over 60 people.
Madlala said there was growing international interest in the brew from places such as Ghana, Nigeria and America.
Soweto to get its own brewery
SPECIALLY brewed beer Soweto Gold is set to start flowing locally in the first week of June.
Yesterday, imported machinery arrived at the Ubuntu Kraal in Orlando West, Soweto, where the township's first brewery will officially operate.
Ndumiso Madlala, who founded the beer label under his company MadMead Brewing, said the launch of the brewery is set to complete "the Soweto experience".
The beer will still be brewed at the Nottingham Road brewery in KwaZulu-Natal, while Madlala's equipment is being installed.
The machinery, which is expected to be fully operational by June, includes a brew house, fermentation vessels and water tanks, among other equipment.
Madlala has also brought on board the expertise of popular shebeen queen Nancy Nxumalo.
Described as having the usual bitter taste of beer with a lingering sweetness, SG was launched during last year's annual Soweto Beer Festival in October.
Madlala said the brew became a hit with local beer drinkers, selling over 38000 cans since then.
The brewery's official launch will be marked by a beer garden event to be held at Ubuntu Kraal on April 25.
"It has been a very long journey after we struggled knocking on so many doors.
"But I am proud to say that we stayed true to our vision by making this South Africa's first majority black-owned brewery," Madlala said.
While SG Superior Lager is the company's flagship product, Madlala said they would launch other beers, including SG Lite and SG Apple Ale, which is suited for cider drinkers.
Madlala said they aimed to make at least 40000 litres of beer a month with the hope of increasing that volume to 250000 litres within the next three years.
He said recruitment for on-site staff would begin during May, with the anticipation of the brewery employing just over 60 people.
Madlala said there was growing international interest in the brew from places such as Ghana, Nigeria and America.
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