Cape Town is a city that’s become synonymous with stunning landscapes and rich culture, but what many visitors may not know is that the city is also home to a thriving craft beer scene.
From hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts, Cape Town’s breweries offer a wide range of unique, locally brewed beers that are sure to tantalise the taste buds of even the most discerning beer enthusiasts.
Here are the best breweries, beer tastings and local festivals in the Mother City:
The City’s craft beer scene
The craft beer scene in Cape Town has exploded in recent years, with a growing number of breweries popping up all over the city.
The scene is characterised by a strong emphasis on quality and experimentation, with local brewers using a wide range of hops, malts and yeasts to create unique and flavourful beers.
Some of the most popular styles of craft beer in Cape Town include IPAs, stouts, sours and Belgian-style ales. Many of the breweries offer seasonal beers and limited editions, so there’s always something new and exciting to try.
One of the unique aspects of Cape Town’s craft beer scene is its focus on sustainability. Many of the breweries are committed to using locally sourced ingredients and minimising their environmental impact through practices such as water conservation, waste reduction and renewable energy.
Best breweries to visit
There are many fantastic breweries across the City, each with its own unique atmosphere, selection of beers and brewing process. Here are just a few of the best breweries to check out:
Devil’s Peak Brewing Company in Salt River is a must-visit for any beer lover. The brewery features a taproom and restaurant, where you can enjoy a wide range of beers on tap, along with delicious food.
Housed in a converted warehouse in Woodstock, Woodstock Brewery is known for its experimental approach to brewing. The brewery offers a range of beers, including its popular Californicator IPA and Happy Pills pilsner.
Drifter Brewing Company can also be found in Woodstock and is known for its bold and innovative brews. The brewery features a taproom, where visitors can sample a wide range of beers, including its popular Stranded Coconut IPA and the Villainous Imperial IPA.
Jack Black’s Brewing Co in Diep River has been producing quality craft beers since 2007. The brewery offers a range of beers, including its popular Butcher Block Pale Ale and Lumberjack Amber Ale.
The Cape Brewing Company is located in the beautiful surroundings of the Spice Route Destination in Paarl, a 45 minute drive from Cape Town. The brewery offers a range of beers, including its popular Pilsner, Amber Weiss and India Pale Ale.
Also see: Some seriously good restaurants in Paarl
Beer tastings
Beer tastings are a popular activity in the craft beer scene, as they offer a great way to sample a wide range of beers and learn more about the brewing process.
Many of the breweries around Cape Town offer beer tastings, ranging from informal samplings to more structured, guided tastings led by experienced brewers.
During a beer tasting, visitors are typically given a flight of beers, which can include a selection of the brewery’s flagship beers, limited editions or seasonal brews.
A knowledgeable guide will then walk visitors through the tasting, explaining the unique characteristics of each beer.
Some of the breweries in Cape Town that offer beer tastings include Devil’s Peak Brewing Company, Woodstock Brewery and Drifter Brewing Company.
Local beer festivals
Cape Town is home to several local beer festivals that celebrate the City’s vibrant craft beer scene. These festivals offer visitors the chance to sample a wide range of beers from different breweries, enjoy live music and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Held annually in November, the Cape Town Festival of Beer is the largest beer festival in the city. The festival brings together over 60 breweries from around the world, offering visitors the chance to sample hundreds of different beers.
In addition to the beer, the festival features live music, food stalls and beer and food pairing workshops.
There are festivals catered to all times of the year in Cape Town, with the Woodstock Winter Beer Festival celebrating winter beers, stouts and porters.
The Stellenbosch Craft Beer Festival is perfect for the time it’s held – November. It takes place in the picturesque town of Stellenbosch and features over 30 breweries, as well as live music and food stalls.
These beer festivals are a great way to experience the best of Cape Town’s craft beer scene and meet other beer enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned beer connoisseur or just looking to try something new, these festivals offer a fun and festive way to explore the city’s beer culture. Keep an eye out for them!
ALSO SEE: Dine, drink and dance the night away at Safehouse Nightclub and Eatery
Dine, drink and dance the night away at Safehouse Nightclub and Eatery
Written by Jules Keohane for Cape {town} Etc.
Feature image: Unsplash
