PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Born in the Free State, Tristan Hartmann, the brewmaster at Barrington's Craft Brewery, started his journey in the industry "right at the bottom, washing kegs and working behind a bar".

Now that skill and passion he acquired along the way has won him two medals in the Africa Beer Cup at the BeerEx expo in Cape Town in May.

Hartmann won a silver medal for his Dulcy's Weiss and a bronze for The Newdigate British Bitter.

'Big boys'

BeerEx is a series of beer tasting events with international collaboration between South African brewers and chosen brewers from the US or Europe. This year there were about 80 entries from the African Continent who vied for the Africa Beer Cup.

Hartmann was up against the "big boys" - SAB, Namibian Breweries and AB InBev - and even with them competing, there wasn't a gold winner in the lager competition, which shows the intensity of the competition.

"I'm in good company," Hartmann said. "The brewing community, although friendly, is very competitive. We all get on very well."

Feedback

About his achievements he said: "Honestly, I feel good. I'm surprised. I did not necessarily enter for the chance to win. The biggest thing for me is the feedback. There is professional feedback from 58 judges from all around the world. That speaks volumes for me."

He only found out on the night of the function that he had won two medals.

Hartmann started beer brewing while studying for his BCom at the University of Port Elizabeth. His brother convinced him to try his hand at home brewing.

"I took it from there. I entered a local competition and it went well. I discovered a passion and skill for it. I started at the bottom ... and here we are."

New Zealand pils

Now the boy from the Free State is showing the rest of the country how to make beer.

His next challenge?

"It's exciting stuff and I'm going to try my hand at brewing a New Zealand pils. I love experimenting with new beers."

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