There’s no doubt that craft beer is well-loved by Capetonians and visitors to the city alike, which explains the vast and ever-growing community of microbreweries in the Western Cape. We’ve found a whopping 25 craft beer breweries you need to add to your “must try” list when you visit Cape Town next. Here they are in no particular order
Darling Brew – Darling
Drive out on the West Coast and you’ll find the quaint town of Darling, home of Evita se Perron and Darling Brew where you’ll find their range of excellent beers, a tasting room and restaurant that offers a braai menu.
Website: https://darlingbrew.co.za/
Riot Beer – Woodstock
Taking its cue from the punk movement, Riot Beer cheekily promises: “Not everyone will like our beer, but you will”. With names like Vixen (a porter), Session (a golden ale) and Valve (an IPA), you’re guaranteed to have a wild time.
Website: https://riotbeer.co.za/
Garagista Beer Co – Riebeek Kasteel
Situated in the popular Swartland town, this brewery is strictly all about beer – or that’s what it would have you believe in its hilarious “not for hipsters” ad campaign from 2015.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Garagista-Beer-Co/464024870364322
Flagship Brew – Riebeek Kasteel
Here is a great place to stop for a pint of fresh ale and a grilled bratwurst and sauerkraut on a fresh pretzel roll. Can life get any better than that? We didn’t think so.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/FlagshipBrew/
Mountain Brewing Company – Worcester
Drive through the N1 tunnel to find this burgeoning brewing company. Boasting beer made with spring water as well as a wry sense of humour, you’ll find brews like the Loadshed Lager to sample.
Website: https://www.mountainbrewing.co/
Triggerfish Brewing – Somerset West
With no less than nine staple beers on offer and a whopping 16 “wild” beers, Triggerfish appears to be determined to bring the widest range of local flavours to our palates.
Website: https://www.triggerfishbrewing.co.za/
Birkenhead Brewery – Stanford
What better way to watch the whales in Walker Bay than with a glass of fresh local beer in hand? Bring the whole family for lunch at the Birkenhead Galley restaurant and enjoy tasting their range of great local brews.
Website: https://www.walkerbayestate.com/#!beer/chjm
Stellenbrau – Stellenbosch
The craft beer industry just wouldn’t be complete without a microbrewery set in the idyllic town of Stellenbosch. With two lagers, an ale and a Weiss on offer, there’s something for every palate.
Website: https://stellenbrau.co.za/
Ceder Brew – Kromrivier Cederberg Park
The fresh streams in the Cederburg Mountain range are home to a variety of fish, many of which are an angler’s dream to catch. This is exactly the inspiration Ceder Brew used to name its variety of lovingly brewed beers.
Website: https://www.cederbrew.co.za/
Hoogeberg Brewing Co – Durbanville
Signal Gun, a wine farm in Durbanville, now also offers four beers under its Hoogeberg Brewing Co label, all brewed by the farm’s cellarmaster. Pop in to find out what beer brewed in Durbanville tastes like.
Website: https://signalgun.com/hoogeberg-brewing-co/
Lakeside – Kommetjie
Situated in the South Peninsula seaside town, Lakeside Beerworks is focused on small batch brewing that has produced five outstanding beers.
Website: https://www.lsbw.co.za/
Boston Brewery – Woodstock
From the Whale Tale Ale to the Naked Mexican, one thing’s for sure, this brewery has a penchant for poetic labels. What’s more, it is a stalwart of this young industry having been around for almost two decades.
Website: https://www.bostonbreweries.co.za/about/the-tasting-room.html
Cape Town Brewing Company – Paarl
Take the whole family along to visit this microbrewery situated on the Spice Route destination just outside Paarl. Pop into the tasting room to enjoy their range of precision brewed beers and then enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Website: https://capebrewing.co.za/
Indie Ale – Porterville
You’ll find a selection of excellent local craft beer at the Independent Beer and Spirits Co. in Porterville. On Fridays and Saturdays, make sure you stick around for a homemade pizza at the tasting room too.
Website: https://indieale.co.za/
Devil’s Peak Brewing Company – Salt River
This is a microbrewery worthy of the title “market disruptor” thanks to a sound business plan and a variety of top-notch beers. Pay their tasting room a visit and stay for a meal too.
Website: https://www.devilspeakbrewing.co.za/
Cederberg Brewery – Dwarsriveier, Cederberg Wines
Taking inspiration from revered writer C. Louis Leipold who lived in these mountains many years ago, the brewery first offered two beers dubbed Boggom and Voertsek after his tale about two troublesome (and legendary) baboons that once roamed the area.
Website: https://www.cederbergbrewery.com/
Fokofpolisiekar Beers – TBA
Not only do they make great music, but apparently, Fokofpolisiekar is brewing great beer these days too. They’ve got a few brews in the pipeline, but plan to release their lager first. In the meantime, if you’re wanting to taste it you can get it on tap at Van Hunks on Kloof Street.
Website: https://www.fokofpolisiekar.co.za/beer/
Citizen beer – Paarden Eiland
It’s a story familiar to many a committed microbrewery – in just four short years, they have grown their tiny operation into one that supports a thriving community of passionate beer drinkers.
Website: https://www.citizenbeer.co.za/
Tuk Tuk Brew – Franschhoek
Pay them a visit and taste their three delicious brews: a Weiss, pale ale and Dunkel. Stay for a meal at the Mexican-inspired restaurant and kick back with your choice of Tuk Tuk brew.
Website: https://tuktukbrew.com/
Jack Black’s – Diep River
One of the best known craft beer brands in the city thanks to its quality, Jack Black offers up inspiration for many to follow in its footsteps. Pop into its brewery to taste its four brews.
Website: https://www.jackblackbeer.com/
Woodstock Brewery – Woodstock
A big part of Woodstock’s rise to foodie fame, Woodstock Brewery is a must-visit for all beer lovers. Try its range of five beers while relaxing at its famous Tap Room, or if you’re feeling peckish order craft pizza, beautifully grilled steak or burger from the Woodstock Grill & Tap.
Website: https://woodstockbrewery.co.za/
Old Harbour Beer – Hermanus
This burgeoning brewery began its life in 2014 brewing a lager, or more accurately, a weekend lager, as its label states. It’s a refreshing take on this popular style of beer. Pop in to the brewery when you’re next in Hermanus.
Website: https://www.oldharbourbeer.com/
Fraser’s Folly – Struisbaai
Drive roughly two-and-a-half hours on the N2 outside Cape Town and you’ll come upon this rustic seaside town. This is the home of microbrewery Fraser’s Folly which is dedicated to making local beer packed with great flavour.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/frasersfolly/
Striped Horse – De Waterkant
Taking its name from the legend of how the zebra got its stripes, this microbrewery offers a pilsner, lager and most recently, a pale ale. While the company doesn’t have its own tasting room, you will find it in a variety of bars. You can also order at the Striped Horse website.
Website: https://stripedhorse.co.za/
Saggy Stone – Robertson
A combination of pure mountain spring water and a history of baking makes the beer produced at Saggy Stone just outside Robertson one well worth trying. Pay them a visit to taste their one-of-a-kind beers and enjoy a lunch at the farm.
Website: https://www.saggystone.co.za/
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