The craft-beer scene has grown tremendously across South Africa over the last couple of years, and we have local breweries to thank for that. We have compiled a list of brewing companies South Africans can visit, tour and taste at in each province.
Western Cape: Stellenbrau Brewery
In 2012 Stellenbrau launched its first beer, the Craven Craft Lager, and now in 2017, it has four beers under its belt. The other three are the golden Alumni Ale, with deep plummy and delicate strawberry accents; the Governor’s Red Lager, with an alluring, slightly ‘wild’ undertone from rooibos; and the golden-yellow Jonkers Weiss, with a deep, refreshing banana aroma that is rounded off by a delicious fruity accent.
021 883 3622 | The Woodmill, Vredenburg Road, Stellenbosch
Northern Cape: Grootrivier Brewery
Grootrivier is a microbrewery that focuses on brewing ales. Its three boutique-beer products are Koos, the Irish Red ale with hints of caramel flavours; Jan, the traditional pale ale; and Piet, the ale beer hand-made from beukenhout smoked grain.
060 965 5311 | H31 Amaril Street, Orania
Eastern Cape: Table 58 Brewery
This state-of-the-art brewery can be described as a ‘show room’ more than anything, where you can view the brewing process from the bar or the garden area. They have a choice of three traditional beers: a lager, a weiss and a Pilsner.
072 699 3246 | Floradale, Beacon Bay
KwaZulu-Natal: The Standeaven Brewery
This microbrewery is home to six flavourful craft beers near the Valley of a Thousand Hills. The Bohemian Pilsner is clean, crisp and made for easy drinking with its slight cloud, light gold colour and thin, off-white head with good lacing.
The very dark red Press Club Stout is a medium- to low-strength beer with strong roasted malt notes. The African Pale Ale has fruit and malty notes with a slightly hazy, copper colour. The Unconventional Weiss is not as abrasive as your typical wheat beer, but rather highly carbonated, and should always be served with a chilled or iced glass.
The Best Black Gold is a dark lager based on their Bohemian Pilsner, with a less bitter taste with slight notes of vanilla. The Lager X is a truly local lager with a subtle fruity finish and a slightly hazy, copper colour.
031 777 4685 | Alverstone, Durban
Free State: Krügerbräu
Krügerbräu is home to four crisp craft beers. The Sunset American Pale Ale is deep gold with hints of caramel and ample orange-peel citrus aroma. The Cheetah is a unique South African-style pale ale that is somewhat fruity and has only a light hop bitterness with the aroma of passion fruit.
The Irish Mule is a dark red ale with a sweet caramel body and low earthy hop bitterness. The Lazy Boy English Brown Ale is ideal for slightly cooler days, and should be drunk slightly warmer to reveal its chocolaty aroma.
016 100 0504 | 18 Mars Street, Sasolburg
North West: Lazy Lizard Independent Brewhouse
This independent brewhouse is a truly local brewery and restaurant that showcases the best crafts on offer in the North West Province. Visitors can choose from four beers: the English ale, the Dark ale, the Blonde ale and the American pale ale.
082 568 3809 | Lanseria-Pelindaba Road, Broederstroom
Gauteng: Stimela Brewing Co
Stimela Brewing Co crafts unique premium beers. The Straight Arrow dry hopped amber ale has a great balance between the malty sweetness and hoppy bitterness. The Round Trip beer will take you through a trip of spice, fruit and malt, ending up in a dry finish with subtle notes of honey.
The Black Diamond chocolate stout is a rich, smooth beer with deep, full flavours of chocolate and hints of vanilla, and is brewed with loads of chocolate malt, cocoa beans and vanilla pods. The Platform Edge IPA has a bold hop presence supported by the malt backbone.
stimelabrew.co.za | Johannesburg
Mpumalanga: Hops Hollow Brewery
Situated at the highest point of the Long Tom Pass, Hops Hollow Brewery has grown into a place where all beer-lovers stop over for one of the best. Choose from one of five craft beers on tap. The Diggers Draught is a light-bodied pale malt with a very flowery aroma.
The Blacksmith’s Brew is a favourite among the ladies with its delightfully light and tart taste. Mac’s Porter has been described as ‘hooligan juice’, an ‘aphrodisiac’ and plain old ‘lekker’. The Old Bull Bitter is an all-time favourite with fruity overtones and an aromatic floral hop character. The Tapper’s Brew is a Bohemian style Pilsner.
071 684 6975 | 2 on the Long Tom Pass, Mpumalanga
Limpopo: Zwakala Brewery
Nestled in the Magoebaskloof Mountains, Zwakala Brewery is perfect for the whole family. The Limpopo Lager golden beer is crisp and refreshing, with a smooth finish from longer ageing. The Naked Ale is crisp and dry, with low bitterness and good aromas from the hops. The Mountain Weiss has fruitier flavours with soft floral notes.
073 791 6797 | Cheerio Road, Haenertsburg
PHOTO: iStock/demarco-media
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