Brewery Name: Drifter Brewing Company
WEBSITE: VISIT
Location: Western Cape
What is your current position at your brewery, and how did you get started in the craft brewing industry?
Co-Founder & Brand Manager. I’m from Oregon – craft beer is in my blood! Haha 🙂
Has Covid-19 and the lockdown had an impact on your brewery? If so, what impact and how have you responded?
We had to retrench 15 staff members, pivot onto an online store and provide home deliveries (when they were legal).
The main impact besides of course a financial blow is that us few staff keeping the Drifter boat afloat are working at an unsustainable rate to keep going. Now that alcohol is legal again though, we have a boost of energy and can get positive feedback from our customers which makes a HUGE difference!
What’s new at your brewery?
Everything feels new and different now!
What’s the best part of being a part of the South African craft brewing community?
I come from a very well established craft beer scene in Oregon so over the last eight years since I first arrived in South Africa, it’s been amazing to see the development of the community and the customer support.
Name your favourite food and beer pairing.
Right now, a piece of dark chocolate smothered in peanut butter paired with our Stormy Smoked Porter
What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?
The biggest accomplishment this past year has been participating in the Rouge Revue Burlesque company and performing in shows (which are currently virtual).
What’s your favourite beer from another brewery?
Mr. Brownstone from Woodstock Brewery
What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?
I’m always bouncing a few new hobbies but the things that have kept me sane this year during lockdown are hiking, dancing, writing and reading.
What’s the most memorable travel destination at which you’ve had a chance to sample the local beer?
There was a small brewery (eek can’t remember the name) on Palau island in Micronesia where Nick and I were working on an 82ft superyacht.
