B Academy & Experiences
Learn the craft from the youngest Master Distiller in the world (CIBD 2024), and his father.
The Gin Masterclass
Choose your botanical style, Classic Juniper, Crisp Citrus, Delicate Floral, Powerful Spice, Juicy Berry or Fresh Fynbos, learn the secrets of distilling from our Master Distiller, and take home a bottle of your own creation. A group experience, book your seats on the B-Shop.
Brandy Barrel Experience
Distil your own 25L or 50L barrel of potstill brandy in a full-day hands-on masterclass, wine to barrel, yours forever.
Distillery Tour & Tasting
Visit our Strand distillery, meet the copper stills and taste the award-winning range with our team. By appointment.
The Gin Masterclass, distil your own
Unleash your inner mixologist and take home a bottle of gin you distilled yourself. On arrival you're welcomed with a taste of our Alter Schwede and a short distillery tour, before our Master Distiller curates a recipe to your chosen style, or helps you design your own, walking you through how gin is made and guiding you through the still.
You'll learn to separate the "heads, hearts and tails", blend your distillate down with our own mountain spring water, then fill and personally label your own 2 × 200ml bottles to take home, with a little extra straight from the still for tasting. A farewell glass of our Blomendahl Apple Liqueur closes the class.
- Group experience for 4–8 guests (we recommend 6); book your seats and see dates on the B-Shop.
- 4 stills, each yielding 2 × 200ml bottles; double up with a friend per still.
- Choose your style, Classic Juniper, Crisp Citrus, Delicate Floral, Powerful Spice, Juicy Berry or Fresh Fynbos, or tell us your own.
- Held on a confirmed date at our distillery: 47 Chilwan Crescent, Broadlands, Strand, Cape Town 7140.
We currently run the Gin Masterclass as a group experience only. See the B-Shop for upcoming dates, or enquire about a private group booking.
Seminars & training
Beyond the Masterclass, the B Academy runs deeper programmes on both continents, drawing on four decades of winemaking and distilling and the expertise of the world's youngest Master Distiller (CIBD 2024).
Wine & spirits seminars
Structured sessions on how wine and spirits are made, from fermentation and the potstill to maturation and blending, for enthusiasts and hospitality teams.
Trade & production training
Hands-on training for distillers, bar teams and new producers, covering recipe development, quality control and the practical craft of running a still.
Team & private events
Corporate team-building, celebrations and private groups, built around distilling, tasting and the stories behind the bottles.