VIBE
Tap Room
SAB World of Beer
15 President Street
Newtown
011 836 4900
Damage
Starters R33-R40
Mains R34-R74
Desserts R20-R25
RATINGS
Food HHIII
Drink HHHII
Service HHIII
Before the reign of Queen Vic, beer was considered to be slightly common in English society, a drink frowned upon as something consumed by the lumpen proletariat. The more the beer flowed, the hairier and the scarier the boozed-up proles got.
Things changed after her ascension to the throne, as Paul Barnett points out in Beer Facts, Figures & Fun. The upper classes started drinking it too, inspired by the example set by her beer-loving German husband Albert.
Founded in 1895 during her reign, SAB has been at the forefront of repackaging beer drinking in modern times and owns some of the biggest labels in the world, notably Pilsner Urquell, Hansa, Millers and Peroni.
Having launched its World of Beer centre in 1995, the beer giant hosts guided tours of the history of beer and its operation. It’s an educational trip, whether you drink SAB or prefer your beer less mass-produced.
World of Beer won this year’s SA Tourism Welcome Awards, making it one of the country’s top tourist attractions.
It seems to be busiest on a Saturday so pre-booking is crucial. We slot in with a group of visiting American teachers from Abu Dhabi, a bachelor’s party and some stragglers.
Tickets cost just R35, which is excellent value as it includes two SAB beers and no more – in line with their stated aim to promote responsible consumption (which is noble but terribly ironic) – and a tour of the immaculately polished facilities.
Before we start, we hit the Tap Room for a quick bite, thinking this pub’s grub should be good.
But as it turns out, if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands you could run into trouble as service is lumbering.
First we sit on the balcony to enjoy the view of Newtown’s architecture and the highway, but realising staff are paying no heed, we move inside.
The wait proves lengthy there too, seemingly the result of no competent staff on the floor.
After approaching someone for service a third time, we finally get our Hansas. The pub naturally serves only SAB beers and soft drinks, so don’t go there looking for wine or ask for a Windhoek or an Amstel.
The Tap Room menu comprises the usual light pub fare of salad, sandwiches and meat, with the Castle Milk Stout beef pie a specialty and the flat breads looking tempting. Other options include fried hake; a burger, and bbq chicken wings.
To nibble, we order a flatbread topped with gypsy ham, rocket, roast peppers and Parmesan, to be followed by the chicken wings and a beef pie.
Our flatbread never makes it to the table (a forgotten order) which is probably just as well because we only have an hour to kill before the tour.
The chicken wings, sticky and coated in an pleasant, sweetly spicy bbq basting, are ice cold but the chips are hot, thick cut and delicious.
The generously portioned pie’s passable, not great, but the steak cubes are dry and the gravy is sweetened by raisins.
Finishing just in time, we embark on the real purpose of our visit: the tour.
It’s a journey through the history of beer, beginning with the Sumerians in Mesopotamia 6 000 years ago and ending at modern-day production.
En route, we visit an Egyptian chamber, a Zulu kraal, a honky-tonk bar and a shebeen.
With holograms, a 3D film, lights and a 180º surround screen, the tour’s very well executed – but one’s ears can take strain as the sound’s quite loud.
World of Beer is a real treat for anyone with an appreciation for history – or simply lovers of the great social leveller, beer.
Avoid eating in the pub before the tour, though, because you might just run late. - Saturday Star