Friends of Lekker Passport

16/08/2025

What I’m Learning About Coffee – And Why It Feels a Lot Like Beer
Over the years, I’ve explored the world of beer with a passport in hand — discovering the stories, people, and passion behind every pour.

Now, coffee is pulling me down a similar path.

In my latest blog post, I dive into the world of specialty coffee — what it really means, how it’s different, and why it reminds me so much of brewing culture.

From traceable beans and intentional roasting to cafés that feel like tasting rooms — the similarities are fascinating.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a cup of coffee “specialty” — or you’re just curious about where flavour and story meet — this one’s for you.

05/08/2025

Beer Troopers meet up in Pretoria at Capital Craft
Thu 7 August | IPA Day 🍻
Come celebrate hops with us!
👉 Book a table: 081 877 6924
Learn more about Stamptisch: beertroopy.com/introducing-stamptisch

05/08/2025

IPA Day Check out our latest Check- In Challenge which Makes Me Hoppy!
https://pass.lekkerpassport.com/r/08PNcCThMuajn17EugYs?view=registration&challenge_id=6881c1b8308552b6591a034d

Lekker Maandag saam met die Manne van Capital Craft. Enjoying a West Coast IPA in the lekker new beer glasses from Cape Brewing Co..

29/07/2025

A Sign in Piet Retief. A Pot in Paris. A Story Worth Sharing.

On a recent drive through Piet Retief — the small town where I was born — I noticed something was missing.

The old sign that had read Meier & Van Zuydam – Accountants and Auditors for decades had disappeared.

It got me wondering…

Who was Van Zuydam?
And could he be that Van Zuydam?

You see, I’d just been reading about Paul van Zuydam — the South African-born man who now owns Le Creuset, the iconic French cookware brand known for those colourful cast iron pots we’ve all admired (or secretly wanted).

Turns out, Oom Paul started his career in accounting, turned around a bakeware business in SA, and eventually bought Le Creuset in 1988. Today, it’s a global powerhouse on track to hit $1 billion in sales — and it’s still privately owned by him.

It’s the kind of story we love:
A quiet legend, a global journey, and maybe… a small-town clue that ties it all together.

📖 Read the full story here: https://beertroopy.com/driving-through-piet-retief-a-sign-a-story-and-a-cast-iron-surprise/

And if you know more about the Meier & Van Zuydam connection in Piet Retief — drop us a comment. We’re piecing together the story, one stamp at a time.

Paul van Zuydam at a Le Creuset store in Cape Town, 2015 Driving through Piet Retief — the small town where I was born — always brings back a strange mix of comfort and curiosity. The potholes might be deeper, the shopfronts faded, but somehow the rhythm of the place…

28/07/2025

What really drives the Beer Troopy?
Not beer. Not coffee.
Just a straight-six diesel engine that’s been quietly getting the job done since 1990.

No turbo. No fuss. Just pure, old-school reliability — the kind that’s still powering new Land Cruisers in 2025.

We’re talking about the legendary Toyota 1HZ engine.
The same motor trusted by farmers, field workers, and Beer Troopers who prefer the long road and the stories it brings.

Why does it matter?
Because the Beer Passport isn’t about speed.
It’s about story.
And the Troopy? It was built for exactly that.

🛠️ Read the full story: https://beertroopy.com/what-drives-the-beer-troopy/

Most people think it’s beer. Some think it’s coffee. Others — adventure, curiosity, or the stubborn refusal to take the N1 when there’s a dirt road that leads somewhere more interesting. They’re not wrong. But here’s the truth: What really drives the Beer Troopy is a 4.2-litre straight-s...

27/07/2025

Introducing the Coffee Passport™ — For Local Legends Who Start Their Day with a Good Brew and a Great Story.

Because our community also loves coffee, we’ve added some lekker new destinations to our Digital Pass — and launched a printed Coffee Passport™ to turn every visit into a memory worth keeping.

Here’s how it works:

☕ Digital Pass
Your discovery tool.
Find small-batch roasters, hidden cafés, and passionate coffee makers across South Africa. Check in to see if there’s a reward waiting.

📖 Coffee Passport™
Your memory maker.
Collect custom stamps, jot down tasting notes, and turn your coffee journey into a keepsake.

🫱🏼‍🫲🏾 Bring it to life at Stamptisch
Our community meetups are where stories are shared and passports are personalised.

If you love local, if you love coffee, if you love the people behind the counter — the Coffee Passport is for you.

👉 Ready to start your journey?
Explore at [lekkerpassport.com]

22/07/2025

Lekker Maandag saam met die Manne van Capital Craft. Enjoying a West Coast IPA in the lekker new beer glasses from Cape Brewing Co..

18/06/2025

You’ve explored breweries with the Beer Passport™. Now it’s time to switch brews.

Introducing the Coffee Passport™ — a curated journey to South Africa’s top 100 coffee destinations. From inner-city espresso bars to industrial roasteries tucked into side streets, we’re celebrating the cafés, creators, and coffee culture that make our urban corners come alive.

Built for explorers. Loved by Bean Seekers.

Discover South Africa’s Best Cafés & Roasteries You’ve explored breweries with the Beer Passport™. Now it’s time to switch brews. Introducing the Coffee Passport™ — a curated journey to South Africa’s top 100 coffee destinations. From inner-city espresso bars to industrial roasteri...

17/06/2025

Picked up my very first AeroPress from The Coffee Company at Brooklyn Mall — thanks to Chris for the warm welcome and expert advice. 🔥

This marks the start of a whole new chapter of flavour, ritual, and discovery. Whether it’s on the road with the Lekker Passport or early mornings at home, I’m excited to learn what makes coffee so endlessly fascinating.

Got any AeroPress tips? I’m all ears.

Let’s brew this!

Also couldn’t help but notice some awesome Ritzenhoff beer glasses on the shelves — always keeping an eye out for the good stuff 🍺👀

15/06/2025

What a weekend at ! 🍻

A huge shoutout to the Capital Craft team and all the breweries who joined us at the Beer Troopy stand and took part in the Beer Passport™ stamping madness. The community showed up in full force — and we felt the love!

We also soft-launched our brand-new Digital Pass and the all-new Beer Passport™ 2.0 — and the response? Absolutely incredible.

This next chapter lets us partner with brewers, destinations, and brands to run themed challenges, unlock rewards, and celebrate beer journeys in new ways.

Congrats to our challenge winners Minke Swart, Wayne’s Peeps, Yolanda Opperman, and Mari van Eeden, who took home prizes sponsored by ERDINGER Weissbräu, La Trappe Trappist, and Salt Cafe our favourite café in Salt Rock🍺🧂

The road ahead is full of flavour. Let’s go!