A Local Dram

There’s a whisky wonderland in the heart of Wellington, and it’s called the James Sedgewick Distellery. It produces fine blended whiskies with a distinct South African pedigree: The Three Ships range and Bains Mountain Whisky. Read More…

A touch of New York on Long Street

Fatback Soul is a late night watering-hole on Cape Town’s most famous street. Walking up Long Street you’ll be forgiven for missing this late night bar. Shuttered and dark, it has a mysterious edge on its excitable neighbours. Pushing the glass and wood door open I step into a cool, dark interior. The air seems fresher inside than it did on Longís life-soaked streets.

“The air’s climate-controlled,” says owner Jeremy Phillips. “Also there’s no smoking allowed. There’s nothing worse than going out for a drink and being doused in cigarette smoke.” Read More…

Chukkachurri Bar

“It’s a kind of dance bar,” chimes in his business partner, Tal Aviram, whoís also the chef at their neighbouring Italian restaurant, Il Leone Mastrantonio. Both men are from Israel and they started the restaurant six years ago, along with the third piece of the puzzle South African, Ivor van der Beek, nicknamed by the other two ëNelspartaí for his Nelspruit roots. The three of them have now extended the business with the advent of the two-storey bar. ìWeíre having fun ñ weíre not trying to do anything more than that.” Read More…

Crafty distillers

The secrets of making vodka at Wellington’s Jorgensen Distillery. The not-so-sleepy town of Wellington is sprawled out before my windshield; all dust, dogs and driveways. It’s the driveway to the right where I’m headed. I’m going to Jorgensen’s Distillery to find out more about Primitiv, which is styled as ‘SA’s first premium vodka”. A swift turn onto rocky gravel, and Iím in another world completely.” Read More…

Having an ale of a time

The secrets of making vodka at Wellington’s Jorgensen Distillery. The not-so-sleepy town of Wellington is sprawled out before my windshield; all dust, dogs and driveways. It’s the driveway to the right where I’m headed. I’m going to Jorgensen’s Distillery to find out more about Primitiv, which is styled as ‘SA’s first premium vodka”. A swift turn onto rocky gravel, and Iím in another world completely.” Read More…

In need of mead

Drinking mead is a tradition that goes back centuries; from the Vikings in Europe to the Khoisan in Africa. This mythical brew encompasses history, passion and symbolism. Itís also a particularly tasty drink that goes well with cheese, duck and spicy dishes. Now, once again, itís being made locally.” Read More…

Inside the Kernel Brewery

Trains rumble overhead as I make my way under soaring railway arches in search of The Kernel Brewery. There’s a certain derelict magic about this part of London. I’m in Bermondsey, south of the River Thames, and layers of grime climb the stone walls like so many pages in a history book. Sure, it’s dingy, cold; but the feeling here is also electric: this city’s blood has been pumping for centuries and I feel as if I’m traversing the pulmonary veino straight to its bubbling heart.” Read More…