“Dear fellow Craft Beer lovers, Storm clouds are gathering on the horizon that threatens the whole craft beer industry. The Gauteng government has just published the draft Gauteng liquor regulations 2013 for public comment. If these regulations are passed, it will prohibit the sale of any alcohol (even by restaurants) on Sundays. We at Cockpit do close to 50% of our trade on Sundays and these regulations will surely mean the end of our business, as it would for most other craft breweries. I appeal to all of you to make a written submission to Nkosiphendule Kolisile, member of the Executive Council responsible for Economic development, at GLBPolicyinput@gauteng.gov.za, on or before 22 February 2013. I will excuse you if you think it is a delayed April fool’s joke from the 1980’s, but alas, it is not. This is very serious. Everyone said e-toll will never become a reality, but look at where it is heading! Let us not allow the fledgling craft beer industry to die an infant death because of this. Regards, André de Beer, Brewmaster – The Cockpit Brewhouse”