Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) is a shining example of what a craft brewery can become when passion, creativity and quality converge. RHBC has grown into an award-winning brewery with...
Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) has achieved fame for many reasons, not least of which is their delicious Jane Doe Hard Lemonade that is now available countrywide. This tangy, effervescent...
Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC), who are famous for their vibrant taproom in Baakens Valley, Gqeberha and their award-winning brewery has recently expanded its footprint with the opening of a...
In an extraordinary run that has captured the attention of the African beer world, Soul Barrel Brewing has just been awarded Best Beer in Africa at the 2025 African Beer Cup — for the third...
Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) has once again demonstrated its excellence in craft beer at the annual Africa Beer Cup awards held on 24 May 2025. This prestigious event saw...
I am inquisitive by nature, have a reasonable general knowledge and I am strong on logic. So, it’s not often that I come across something that doesn’t make any sense...
I asked Google; “What makes a pub successful?” Their AI platform gave a very good answer. This is what it said; “A successful pub typically thrives by offering a welcoming...
The award winning Brewhogs Micro Brewery is located off Dytchley Road in Kyalami and are famous for their range of brews to suite all tastes. Their extensive range of beers...
Join Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) in Gqeberha, for an exceptional celebration of South African craft beer on 1 February as they host their annual National Beer Day tasting session!...
Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) has long been a shining star in Gqeberha’s culinary and brewing scene. Known for their award-winning brews and legendary Burger Shed, which serves some of...
Mark your calendars for 7 December 2024 because Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) is turning up the fun with its much-anticipated annual Booze Run! This unique 6km adventure combines the...
Windhoek Beer SA is thrilled to announce its participation at the highly anticipated DSTV Delicious Festival, set to take place this coming weekend, 21 and 22 September 2024 at Kyalami...
Nestled in the vibrant Baakens Valley district of Gqeberha, the Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) stands as one of South Africa’s top craft brewers and one of my personal favourite...
Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) are known for their quality and innovation when it comes to brewing and as a result they have developed a loyal following. As a token...
Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC), nestled in the heart of Baakens Valley, has long been a cornerstone of the local craft beer scene. Renowned for its innovative approach to brewing...
Craft brewers are an inspiration. Most started in their garage or shed and through passion and tenacity brought their awesome brews to us, their customers. Like any business that is...
By Morgan Cadle The Richmond Hill Brewing Company located in Gqeberha is one of the cities not-so-hidden gems, thanks in part to its master brewer, Niall Cook. Niall is one...
Throwing a party? Want beer? Then you need look no further than hiring a RHBC portable bar with its own beer taps. The Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) has become...
The 2024 Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) Home Brew Fest is scheduled for 16 March and, according to the organizers, will have plenty to offer. This is the Eastern Cape’s...
Lagers are the most popular of all beers and with good reason. They are easy drinking, have a relatively low alcohol content and are not very filling. If you are...
Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) have won numerous brewing awards including Best Beer In Africa (2023) and they are happy to share their skills with home brewers. In a previous...
Richmond Hill Brewing Company have always been innovators and have been happy to share their skill and knowledge with others, particularly with other brewing enthusiasts. Niall Cook, Brew Master at...
The Richmond Hill Brewing Company’s (RHBC) Tap Room and Chicky’s Yard are synonymous with good times. Whether it is watching rugby or Formula One, a wine tasting, an organised party...
Dark Purpose is a first from Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) in that this is a beer brewed around an artwork. RHBC are well known for their arty labels that...
Thirsty Traveler is all about South African gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and more.
We love to travel and we love to sample the wares of the craft brewer, distiller and wine maker.
In the mid 1900’s, governments worldwide almost killed off the art of distilling and brewing. The thousands of micro, boutique or craft distilleries and breweries that had been handed down from father to son were banned and destroyed and large corporations obtained the sole rights to distill mediocre, mass produced, but well-marketed spirits.
Craft gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other spirits.
Thankfully laws around the world are being liberalised and craftsmen, with their passion for perfection and their desire to explore are producing amazing gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other spirits.
Winemaking in South Africa had a terrible reputation until the 1980’s when many farmers decided to establish their own brands and produce their own wine. Competition, inspiration and a hard work ensure that today South African wines are some of the best in the world.
For those of you, who enjoy something special and want to pair their spirits, brew or wine with their food, mood and the atmosphere, there are new delightful, well-crafted and very special products appearing on shelves and more importantly, in on-line stores.
At the Thirsty Traveler, we take our food, brews, wine and spirits very seriously and, at times, light-heartedly too. Thus, in the true spirit of investigative journalism, we embarked on some very careful research into South Africa’s wines, brews and spirits.
Tastings
We frequently conduct tastings of gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other well crafted spirits.
Each Heritage Day we invite micro brewers from around the country to send us their wares for a tasting. We and the brewers have had great success with these tastings in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
We also conduct regular tastings of wines, gins and other spirits.
Read on to find out more about what South Africa has to offer those with discerning taste buds.
My mother was a Cordon Bleu chef and insisted that we eat with a near Victorian array of cutlery and crockery every night. As a young adult, I learned to appreciate the dedication and art of good cooking and as I came of age, I realised how a glass of wine and even more so, good conversation, could make a meal complete.
As a teenager our family took a holiday to the Winelands and I was in awe of the beauty, heritage and sophistication of South Africa’s wine industry. Although not yet 18 I started to collect wines.
Lagers and pilsners where the beer universe for Generation X South Africans. When I traveled through Europe in the ‘90s I was disgusted by warm English beer, revolted by Irish stouts and Belgian sours where the worst thing that my delicate palate had ever encountered.
However, like Copernicus my view has expanded. I have discovered that the beer universe does not rotate around a cold lager. In fact I have since discovered that the beer universe is literally limitless. My Dark Age view on beer progressed into a Renaissance of awaking and then hyper-drived to an unbridled voyage of discovery.
As a student in the ‘90s I thought I was rather chic because I drank J&B rather than Bells and even sampled Campari. It was not until I visited the Oban Distillery in Scotland that I learned about Single Malt Scotch and I entered a whole new world of discovery.
When I first visited the New World I discovered Bourbon and that it too has a proud heritage. On a visit to Cuba I learned that Rum was not just a compliment to Coke, and that, after 12 years of aging, is as sublime as a Scotch.
Today I remain in awe of the craftsman who, with passion, skill and experience, produce such nuanced flavours and aromas in wine, beer and spirts. This website is about my journey of discovery and also of return visits to old favorites.
© 2024 THIRSTY TRAVELER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
© 2021 THIRSTY TRAVELER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED