Joburg Beer is unlike any other beer found anywhere in the world, for so many reasons we cant even begin to describe. But here goes… For starters it comes in a carton! When has beer ever been presented to you in a carton So its street name is Kartoon (pronounced car toon). Secondly, instead of a simple “drink responsibly” or “dont drink and drive” message communicated in adverts, with Joburg Beer we have “Don’t drink and walk on the road, you might be killed” written boldly down the one side. This can only mean one thing. The makers of the beer have clearly recognized that not one of their client base actually own cars! On the carton I held, the other side of packaging space advertised a current promotion to win yourself a bull. Not a toy bull, or any other idea you might have, but rather in fact the opportunity to win a large sweaty farm animal. The beer itself is not available in any bottle store. Its the kind of merchandise sold out of the back of people’s houses and under highways (that’s were I eventually got mine).

And the beer you ask? Lets put it this way. There is no mention of alcohol content, so one begins to understand its bold warning to its clientèle. The taste? Before you get the wrong idea, just know that some people dig it. When poured out it looks milky white substance, so rather sip it out of the carton without looking inside.

For me, the closest description I can give is if one took a half empty Yogi Sip, added water and shook it up, and the proceeded to leave it on your window sill for a week. All this being said. Its been a part of our city for ages, and brought merriment to urban campfires in every corner of the city. Sip it just so you can say you did it. And then sip it again if you one of the few that enjoy it.

Its something I expect started as a little tourist curio endeavor, which quickly expanded into an institution in the city. Expect these stalls to be going every day of the week. If anyone reading this knows the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, you’ll take great pride in knowing that Newtown is the Williamsburg of Johannesburg. There’s a bohemian-ness that cant be found elsewhere. These market’s are more authentic than those found in Rosebank, for the simple fact that this is where the city’s own cool kids and fashion conscious folk come to get their proudly South African accessories and necessary fashion items.

Expect to see lots of Rastafarians waltzing about, and if coming on a Saturday, tie the event with all the other great spots in the area, that are all within walking distance. check out the Imbali Store inside Museum Africa. Mary Fitzgerald Square hosts a second hand market on saturday mornings, and Niki’s Oasis across the street, will solve any hunger or thirst problems you might incur during your adventure.

This small, and very unassuming store might just be the one place I recommend any foreigner go to get a good present to take back to their country. All crafts in the store are handmade, so one of a kind, and nothing you’ll see anywhere else in the world. That being said, african crafts are made everywhere. So what makes this place any different? The best way to put it is that all products are far more innovative and original than other craft products. Every craft market is different, but eventually  you’ll start seeing enough wooden animals and marble figurines. After this being said, all products have interesting sense of style. A fashion consciousness that says more than “I went to africa and bought this”.

find everything from home ware, jewelry, and clothing, with the added bonus of all proceeds going back into the pockets of those making the crafts. and as a result, Imbali are calling the whole business model a “visual literacy project”.

Tues – Sun 10am till 5pm. Museum Africa. 121 Bree Street. 

+27 11 833 5624 ext 221  or +27 11 492 3333.

082 470 6374

Rooikop is one of the best examples of originality and concept that only a South African can have on its side. Our ability to manufacture high end arts and crafts, puts many of our products on a world standard. Nothing in South Africa can even come close to a Las Vegas, our films can never match a Hollywood blockbuster, and fashion accessories shouldn’t even try be like Mr Vutton.

What we have in this instance, is an example of a concept that’s both sustainable and original, thus making it absolutely amazing! The normal grocery-shop-plastic bag that, up until now has been used solely to carry our groceries from the till to our cars, has become reworked into a high end fashion accessory. Inspired by the firery red hair of creator Zoe Willems, Rooikop has already made significant in-roads as far as showcases at The Design Indaba, and hips of Joburg fashionistas.

Here’s the official website

Shops stocking the products will be released soon.

Here’s their official site. Its worth a visit, in that you able to order online. There you can also see the full range on offer. We’re talking premium cup cakes people! Options like; lemon meringue, spicy apple, tiramisu, and something even more exotic like coconut pineapple with cream cheese frosting!

Audrey2, named after the giant man eating plant in Little Shop of Horrors, is a bi-monthly digital showcase of the South African creative industry. So although it spreads out on a national level, the drive and skill of the showcase’s production is done right here in Joburg.

here’s the official site. Go download the latest issue.