Local Life
Issue 22 | 2014
Hermanus Brewery Company (HBC) is celebrating their tenth birthday this November. The brewery is run by James and Di Rattle alongside their wonderful team consisting of Nic, Jay, Tools, Lettie, and Memory. The dedicated team work hard throughout the year producing a local lager that Hermanus can be proud of. From producing 8000 litres a month when they opened in 2014, to expanding the brewery not once, but twice, to keep up with demand, HBC is now brewing well over double that amount.
“We can’t believe we’ve been open for 10 years,” says Di, “From James going to Chicago to do a concise Brewing Course, to going to check on our equipment being made in China (with precise German Engineering), and then setting up our Brewery from scratch here in Mimosa Street. A whirlwind of excitement, tenacity, extreme hard work and focus.
“There have been so many amazing highlights over the years, especially winning back-to-back Gold Medals for our Double Gold Lager, and a Silver for our Dark Lager, at the National Beer Trophy awards, as the best Craft Lager in South Africa.”
In 2019, Di was also awarded the Mayoral Award for Entrepreneur of The Year.
“None of this would have been possible without the loyal support of our wonderful local community, restaurants, bars, guest houses and bottle stores around the Overberg,” says James and Di, “We have met and made so many fantastic brewery friends. We feel truly blessed. Thank you everyone for being part of our journey. Cheers!”
