South African Cheese Festival 2011 (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)

[Die Jason]

Hi guys,

It's time for the annual Cheese Festival, and this year it has been moved to Stellenbosch (used to be held in Franschoek). Dates - 29 April to 2 May 2011.

Cheese Festival - Official Site (http://www.cheesefestival.co.za/)

http://www.checkers.co.za/news/PublishingImages/cheeseweb.gif

I basically go each year, loads of fun with a group of friends. Lots of cheese and other snacks, wine and music. We will be about 15 people going on Sunday, organised a taxi to take us.

And remember, tickets can only be purchased via Computicket.

[Cleric]

I think that today shall be remembered as the day that this forum died.

[Toxxyc]

I think that today shall be remembered as the day that this forum died.

I LOL'd. Would you like some cheese with your whine? :D

No but seriously - cheese and wine tasting days are awesome. I remember attending one in Ceres with my parents when I was 16. I got quite drunk, and didn't feel good for about a week afterward. I'd really like to attend one again though, too bad it's always more or less in the same area. Like rAge.

[nukehead]

Should be going although I still thought it was being held in Franschoek? That could have been an awkward arrival. Had a blast last year even though I arrived with a hangover. Good times.

Oh and Cleric, you're a heathen :P

[Cleric]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I love the right cheese with a good wine, but, but (and maybe I'm just trolling here) this is seems almost too off-topic to me. I miss gaming discussions. But anyway, as you were. Ignore the grumpy cleric.

[Die Jason]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I love the right cheese with a good wine, but, but (and maybe I'm just trolling here) this is seems almost too off-topic to me. I miss gaming discussions. But anyway, as you were. Ignore the grumpy cleric.

You troll you. But the fest is a lot of fun, we can't game all the time you know ;)

But agreed, gaming discussions, not so much of it going on these days.


Should be going although I still thought it was being held in Franschoek? That could have been an awkward arrival. Had a blast last year even though I arrived with a hangover. Good times.

Yeah, check the link. Not sure why they moved it, though I did see that there was a champaigne festival in Francshoek not too long ago, not sure i they used the same venue? Maybe they struck a deal with somebody else.

[onona]

I think that today shall be remembered as the day that this forum died.

Ermmm... bad mood? This is the off topic forum, and I bet loads of people here love cheese. Hell, if I were in Stellenbosch, I'd go.

[Cleric]

Yeah, I think that's exactly what it is. Please ignore me and carry on.

[echo]

It looks quite awesome. I hate cheese and wine, but will probably go for the atmosphere and stuff.

[GeometriX]

I love cheese, wish I could get down to Stellies to go to this. The last food expo I attended was the FNB Whiskey Festival. Now that was incredible.

Seems like Stellenbosch really is the best place to have something like this though. No doubt that the cheese will be big, but I bet a lot of people will go for the fantastic wines.

[nukehead]

I love cheese, wish I could get down to Stellies to go to this. The last food expo I attended was the FNB Whiskey Festival. Now that was incredible.

Seems like Stellenbosch really is the best place to have something like this though. No doubt that the cheese will be big, but I bet a lot of people will go for the fantastic wines.

Would love to go to a Whiskey Festival. Just recently started getting into the single malts and I must admit I am becoming rather fond of a good whiskey.

I must admit that last year I came home with more cheese than wine. Although I probably consumed more wine at the expo than I should have. In fact, I definitely consumed too much wine. The words 'inappropriately gregarious' spring to mind.

[pArkEr]

And guess who's a Stellenbosch University student ;)

Hell, maybe I'll go.

[Garson007]

And guess who's a Stellenbosch University student ;)

Hell, maybe I'll go.
NAG meet? \o/

[echo]

Damn, that was brilliant. Was my first time, but sure as **** won't be my last. Off all the festivals and expos I've been too, this was one of the best organized. Everything from the parking, layout, entertainment and facilities were top-notch. They did play Sweet Caroline ten times, but that is forgivable.

The food, ranging from Nougat (Belgium chocolate hmmm) to garlic sauces mixed with Sherry to all kinds of mustard and those salty chocolates were phenomenal. There were croissants, biscuits and crocodile pate and all of these had tastings. I didn't even have one piece of cheese.

The wines were also awesome. Highlights were all the Rose wines (red and white wine all taste the same, probably because of my unrefined pallet or something) and the Nature's Own liqueur pictured below was yummy as hell. I'm the one with the straw-hat, it goes with my pallet:)

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu216/EchoRambo/Cheezefest.jpg

If wine is not your thing there was also some ale and loads of other beers to enjoy (which I did). If you go next year you should make like Die Jason and organize a taxi as you can get pretty drunk. Only other bad thing is the inevitable drunk students, but that is manageable.

All and all I give it 9 moody Clerics out of 10 (Dude, you should totally come next year).

[Die Jason]

If you go next year you should make like Die Jason and organize a taxi as you can get pretty drunk.

You make me sound like an alcoholic. I was a bit tipsy though ;) What do you mean you didn't have any cheese? O_o

Was a good festival again, loved the "Pinotage Experience" section, loads of good food to try out as well.

[nukehead]

Oh man! We had an absolute blast on Sunday. We kind of got caught in a vicious champagne (well, sparkling wine I suppose) circle and my head was not happy yesterday. Damn you Simonsig.

That salted chocolate was friggin' amazing! Also found myself quite enamored with a certain 'Wildflower Honey' that was so smooth that it should have been illegal. We also found a chocolate tasting kit, the name alludes me right now, that had the most phenomenal dark chocolate. Cheesecake! My word that cheesecake was sinful and one of the only cheeses I had the whole day.

No I am a liar, we had a mini picnic with some very tasty cheeses and breads which led to the first bottle of bubbly being popped. It would not be the last. Luckily we had a 'Designated Dave' as the trip back to Hout Bay would have either been very expensive or dangerous.

All in all I would echo (oh god what did I do there) echo's ratings of the fest.

Well so far this festival is two for two in the winners' column. Good times indeed.

[Die Jason]

the most phenomenal dark chocolate. Cheesecake! My word that cheesecake was sinful and one of the only cheeses I had the whole day

..... I missed dark chocolate..... AND cheesecake? FFS.....

[nukehead]

The possible cheesecake shortage might have been due to our over indulgence as baked cheesecake is limited by nature. So, I apologize in that regard but by the same token, I have no regrets. ;P

[GeometriX]

I hate you all. I hope you enjoy your hangovers and indigestion.

[Garson007]

[...] red and white wine all taste the same [...]
Wut? Defriended!

[Die Jason]

Wut? Defriended!

Hahahaha! But ja Echo, that is criminal.


NAG meet? \o/

Echo and I talked about this briefly on Sunday, somebody plan something please. And a neutral venue please.

[Garson007]

And a neutral venue please.
Neutral as in not a gay bar, or neutral as in a centralized location? :P

[onona]

red and white wine all taste the same

HEATHEN.

Actually, a friend of mine said the same thing the other night. I guess it's because he (and you) simply haven't explored wine much. Do yourself a favour and get into wine a bit, it's really rewarding.

[Die Jason]

Neutral as in not a gay bar, or neutral as in a centralized location? :P

Centralized location please.

Are the drinks on special at this gay bar of yours?

[echo]

HEATHEN.

Actually, a friend of mine said the same thing the other night. I guess it's because he (and you) simply haven't explored wine much. Do yourself a favour and get into wine a bit, it's really rewarding.


Wut? Defriended!

Yeah, I was kinda trolling there, but I'm not a a great wine Connoisseur just yet. There was a Diemersfontein Sauvignon blanc that was pretty good and a couple of white wines were not half bad. Not as good as the ice cold Four Cousins though.



Echo and I talked about this briefly on Sunday, somebody plan something please. And a neutral venue please.

OK, I'll start the thread ASAP. Hopefully we can get a good crowd.