Updated: August 2022
There’s no doubt that craft beer is well-loved in Cape Town and the Western Cape. With locals, and visitors to the region, queuing up to sample the latest brews, a vast and ever-growing community of microbreweries has been established in the Western Cape. If you’re a craft beer connoisseur or simply love the amber brew, this guide if for your enjoyment.
MICRO-BREWERIES:
Birkenhead Brewery
As the first brewing estate in the southern hemisphere, Birkenhead is a small but growing microbrewery near Stanford in the shadow of the Kleinriver Mountains. Enjoy tours of the brewery and estate, freshly brewed draught beer from the Birkenhead pub and delicious meals from the restaurant.
Boston Breweries
Boston Breweries was set up by Chris Barnard in 2000 with demand for its lager in its first year requiring a doubling of the production capacity. The name comes from a time when Chris was brewing in a vacant space in a local factory called Boston Bag Company.
Cape Brewing Co.
Cape Brewing Company is a modern craft beer brewery dedicated to making the finest beer possible. Brews made from only the best ingredients and natural mineral water from our very own spring. No additives. Using reliable state-of-the-art technology. Craft Beer made in South Africa, for South Africans. Independent since day one.
Citizen Beer
Citizen Beer currently has only one beer in the market, namely Alliance, an American Amber Ale, but promises of a few follow-up beers are soon to be fulfilled. Owner and brewing genius, Gary Pnematicatos, took two years off to focus on his brewing and the launch of a craft beer.
Darling Brew
Heading up the craft beer movement are the Darling Brew beers, famous not only for their flavour but also their distinctive large bottles and beautifully designed labels. Their small turnkey brewery and partnership with Chris Barnard, a chief brewer, has led to the distinctive naturally fermented taste of Darling Brews. In their own words: ‘Slow Beer’ is not only the name of our first beer
Devils Peak
Situated in Cape Town is Devils Peak. In a blend of modern-traditionalism, retro-progression. They have passion to create beers with character and depth using exclusively the finest ingredients from around the globe. The brewery produces a wide range of styles and, in the vein of successful microbreweries abroad, produces both year-round and seasonal styles.
Drifter Brewing Company
Drifter symbolizes adventure, creativity and community, which is what the team strive for in the beers and at the brewery. Whether it is sinking a batch of Belgian tripel beer on the ocean floor or adding peanut butter to a winter brew, Drifter is always looking ahead and pushing the boundaries to keep the craft beer industry exciting in South Africa.
Gallows Hill Brewing Co.
Gallows Hill Brewing Co. beers are all virtually handmade from an all-malt mash in the handcrafted brewhouse - an example of the simple, traditional brewing methods of old.
Honingklip Brewery
The Western Cape's newest micro-brewery, brewing a range of Belgian inspired ales.
Jack Black’s Brewing Co
Jack Black's is a Cape Town based craft beer company established in 2007 to bring South Africans the kind of beer they deserve. Made in Cape Town, Jack Black Beer uses only the finest natural ingredients to craft its crisp and refreshing taste.
Karusa Micro Brewery
Karusa not only produces fine wine, but is also credited by pioneering the first full grain microbrewery in the Klein Karoo.
Mitchells Brewery
Situated in Knysna in the Cape Garden Route & Klein Karoo, Mitchell’s, South Africa’s oldest microbrewery, was founded in 1983 and has weathered an almost thirty-year storm waiting for the beer boom to begin. Their English-style brews can now be found across the country, both on tap and in bottles.
Saggy Stone Brewery
Saggy Stone is just that, classy, fun, relaxing, ideal for a lazy lunch at our family restaurant and pub with excellent food, wonderful beer brewed in our own micro-brewery and views of the majestic Langeberg Mountains to soothe the soul.
South Cape Breweries
Situated in Mossel Bay. Glenhoff is a natural beer brewed by South Cape Breweries according to the Reinheitsgebot method to ensure purity, clarity and excellence.
Stellenbrau Brewery
Stellenbrau Brewery was born in the spirit of brewing the tastiest and most consistent beers in the craft tradition, and establishing the first artisanal beer brewed in Stellenbosch.
Striped Horse
With a name inspired by a popular African fable, which told the story of how the unique and beautifully decorative Zebra got it’s stripes, this brewery combines European expertise and African enthusiasm.
Triggerfish Brewery
A former dynamite plant might seem an odd location for a brewery, but Triggerfish really owns its funky location. Brewer Eric van Heerden pulls pints of his many beers for regulars and visitors who sip inside the rustic tasting room or on the terrace with its mountain views.
Tuk Tuk Microbrewery
Brewmaster Dewald Goosen has quickly made a name for himself with his bespoke brews, all made on site in the 250-litre capacity copper microbrewery at Tuk Tuk Microbrewery in Franschhoek. There are currently five craft beers in the Tuk Tuk stable with the Dunkel being our favourite. If you’re up for something light, there are also some great snacks to tuck into as well.
Wild Clover Brewery
Situated in Cape Town. Wild Clover Brewery started off as a home brew hobby in 2008 by Brew Master Ampie Kruger. The idea of turning it into a business was shaped with co-owner Karel Coetzee during July 2010.
Woodstock Brewery
Nestled in the heart of Woodstock, this brewery boasts 14 different brews, including seasonal and speciality brews.
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