Mpumalanga budgets R6.6m for New Liquor Board

Mpumalanga liquor licence applications -  Mpumalanga MEC Phosa told the provincial legislature that R6.6 million have been budgeted for the establishment of the new Mpumalanga Liquor Authority.  

MEC Pinky Phosa also added that the Mpumalanga Liquor Board issued 71 new licences from 758 applications in the 2012/2013 financial year.   Spokesman Mohau Ramodibe explained that the majority of rejected applications were as a result of outlets being situated close to schools or places of worship.    MEC Phosa also announced that R6.6 million have been budgeted for the establishment of the new Mpumalanga Liquor Authority.   

Does Mpumalanga need a new Liquor Board?   Do you expect the new Liquor Authority to be more efficient that the current Liquor Board?   

(Article by Dale Hes, Edited by LiquorWise)

Saldanha Bay Liquor Store may be fined R500 000

Liquor Store -   The Western Cape Liquor Authority obtained and executed a search and seize warrant earlier this week for a Saldanha Bay liquor store.    The liquor store had been suspected of illegally selling liquor to local shebeens.   If found guilty, the Liquor Authority will ask for the maximum penalty, which is a fine of R500 000.    The Liquor Authority has warned of similar operations in the near future and that legal traders who break the law will be caught.

(Article by Eyewitness news, Edited by LiquorWise)

Liquor Board Promises End to Backlog with 6 Months

Liquor licence applications -  Frustrated liquor licence applicants was promised relief by Western Cape finance, economic development and tourism, MEC Alan Winde, this morning.     He committed his administration to cut unnecessary red tape and wipe out the backlog of liquor licence applications within the next 6 months.    He emphasized the government’s aim of assisting those applicants who are attempting to legalise their businesses.   The announcement comes at a time when the provincial government is under increased pressure to deliver on one of the main promises of the new Liquor Act – to promote the entry of new licence holders and to ensure the responsible use of liquor.

Although no accurate data has been made available, it is believed that the backlog extends to between 2000 and 4000 applications of all types.  Western Cape Liquor Authority CEO, Thys Giliomee, said that the public and role players will be informed of progress in addressing the backlog.   He also promised an improvement in the level of service of the liquor authority.

He said that the key to having applications considered more quickly is for applicants to ensure that every requirement of the application process is met before submitting their applications.

This confirms that a prospective applicant needs to ensure that he or she makes use of the services of a professional and legally qualified licensing consultant – such as LiquorWise.    Too many applicants have found out the hard way that “cheap” often ends up being “expensive”, when their defective application is delayed or refused.    

Contact LiquorWise today for assistance with any liquor licence application.

Should Liquor Ads Be Banned?

Liquor Ads - Will the banning of liquor ads help to curb excessive liquor consumption?   The national health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, is adamant to continue his crusade to stop the advertising of alcoholic beverages. He plans to present draft legislation to Parliament this month.  He stands to run afoul of a large number of businesses whose main income is in some way involved with the sale of liquor.  

It was recently reported that more than R2 billion is spent on liquor advertising in South Africa.   Sport sponsorship accounts for 30% of this amount.    SAB nearly doubled its spend – from R547 million in 2011 to     R816 million.  This begs the question why businesses are prepared to spend such vast amounts on liquor advertising?

The answer is quite simple, according to an article by Bhekisisa Mncube in          recently.   He recited Richard Polley, recognised authority on advertising matters, who insists that advertisers present information in a way that is easily absorbed so that we do not have to do a lot of thinking in order to take in the concept and apply it at a later time subconsciously.    Are role players in the liquor industry therefore aware of the effect of alcohol advertising?  

The public have been presented with numerous reports and studies on the role of liquor in driving-related fatalities and crime.   Anyone would be hard pressed to deny the cost of alcohol related incidents, both on an emotional and financial level.  

However, despite all the reports, studies and emotional rhetoric, the question still remains – will a ban on alcohol advertising reduce the consumption of liquor?   Furthermore, will it induce responsible behaviour by those who consume it?    

Tell us what you believe.

(Article by LiquorWise)

Flavoured Beer?

Beer.  You may be excused for suspecting a prank from your drinking partners when they offer to buy you a "flavoured" beer.   You would be wrong.  Ask any of the growing number of beer drinkers who are choosing “ales” and “stouts”  at their local pub or liquor store.   They are enjoying “ales” and “stouts”, some with subtle aromas such as bacon or blueberry.   

Traditionally, South Africans mainly drink “lager” beer.  An increasing number are slowly waking up to the wonderful new flavours and textures of “ales” and “stouts” offered by micro-breweries.

Micro-brewers are inclined to experiment a lot more than the bigger commercial lager brands.   You may therefore find micro-brewed beers with a subtle aroma of bacon or blueberry.   Some may be very dark in colour and may have significant higher alcohol content.   Quite a few are catering to the female market, offering chocolate-flavoured beer and ciders.

The “proof of the pudding” will always be in the tasting and it is no different when it comes to beer.   The response of the South African beer lover seems to indicate that he/she has been won over by the variety of beers offered by micro-breweries.

Have you ever had the chance to taste a beer other than your lager favourite?    If not, you owe it to yourself to do so.   Go ahead - it may be the next big thing in cool!

(Article by LiquorWise)