For the love of beer! Where can I find a decent brew?

Cape Town loves real beer

Capetonian beer lovers won’t put up with any old mass-produced, sterile tat. The beer they’re accustomed to is naturally and carefully brewed by small, independent breweries.

Craft beer is made using traditional brewing methods, which result in distinctive flavour profiles. What sets Cape Town’s craft beers apart, says We Love Real Beer (a website that promotes craft beer), is that they contain 100% natural ingredients and no additives, preservatives, thickeners or stabilisers; they take longer to brew, and the breweries don’t cut corners to save money, at the expense of quality and taste. Anyone care for a pint?

Brewers &Union
In a bid to revive the long forgotten heritage, tradition and taste of real beer, &Union have scoured some of Europe’s oldest, family-run breweries for artisan-produced beers. Their mission statement on their website reads: ‘Luxury beers, handcrafted by our artisans from the finest natural ingredients. Our pils and amber ale are brewed using only 100% barley malt, yeast, hops, and water’.
What to try: Steph Weiss, you won’t look back. They also have a beer friendly menu; expect pulled pork pregos and charcuterie boards.
Where to drink it: At Brewers &Union as well as at El Burro in Greenpoint and La Boheme in Sea Point.
Can I visit the brewery? No. &Union beer is brewed in Germany.
110 Bree Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 2770 

Don't know what craft beer is? The folks at &Union made a video to explain:

 

Jack Black Beer
“Jack Black is a lager-style beer, brewed using quality hops in a traditional style dating back to the 1920s prohibition, and fermented at slightly higher temperatures” says founding partner Ross McCullough, “The result is a flavoursome and complex lager, which is refreshing and different.”
What to try: Jack Black Beer from the tap.
Where to drink it: Hudson’s (The Burger Joint) and Ricks Café in Tamboerskloof, Willoughby’s & Co. at the V&A Waterfront and Barristers Grill and Café in Newlands.
Can I visit the brewery: No.
6 Spencer Road | Salt River | +27 (0)21 426 5503

Paulaner Brauhaus
“We sold 75 000 pints during the 2010 World Cup,” says master brewer, Wolfgang Ködel. The popular, German micro-brewery offers a range of dark, light beer and dunkel, brewed onsite and served fresh from the tap.
What to try: “Our flagship beer, Salvador, is one of the strongest beers in South Africa,” says Wolfgang. Also, try the seasonal beers, including the Red Weiss.
Where to drink it: The Roundhouse in Camps Bay, The Westin Grand Hotel in Cape Town, Allée Bleue in Constantia Valley and Winchester Mansions in Sea Point.
Can I visit the brewery: Yes. All beers are made onsite.
Shop 18-19 | Clock Tower Precinct | V&A Waterfront | +27 (0)21 418 9999

Boston Brewery
"The best part of my job is that I get to taste test each batch myself,” says founder Chris Barnard. But you have to hand it to him – all his beer guzzling has resulted in a range of quality lagers, ales and light beers. The brewery even offers a home delivery service (minimum one case).
What to try: Boston Lager, Hazzard Ten Ale, Johnny Gold Weiss, Naked Mexican and Whale Tale Ale.
Where to drink it: Boo Radley's, Fuji Yumi and On Broadway in Cape Town, Café Manhattan in Sea Point and Woodstock Lounge and Bar in Woodstock.
Can I visit the brewery: Yes, by appointment only.
48 Carlisle Street | Paarden Eiland | +27 (0)21 511 4179

Darling Brew
“Easy drinking Slow Beer and sweet Native Ale were launched in 2010. Both beers are traditionally brewed with no additives or preservatives. They are full bodied, rich in colour and the intense flavour and aroma derives from the malts and hops in which they are brewed,” says co-owner, Kevin Wood. You'll find a golden, Geometric tortoise on their Slow beer, which creates awareness of one of the most endangered tortoises in the world.
What to try: Slow Beer and Native Ale.
Where to drink it: The Power and the Glory in Tamboerskloof and The Woodlands Eatery in Vredehoek.
Can I visit the brewery? No.
Donkin Street | Darling | +27 (0)82 889 1175

Napier Brewery
Born out of a classic tale of three men and their beer, owners have brought some sparkle to the beautiful Overberg town of Napier. The Southernmost brewery in Africa is popular among locals and visitors alike.
What to try: Their lager style beer is distinctive in flavour, their English-style ale is amber in colour and they also brew stout.
Where to drink it: The Suntouched Inn and Gunners Mess in Napier, Preston's Pub and The Docks Restaurant in Montague and Dutch East Restaurant in Franschhoek. Long Street Backpackers also has their brew on tap.
Can I visit the brewery? Yes, by appointment only.
1 Monsonto Road | Napier | +27 (0)83 703 8004

Mitchell’s Breweries
South Africa’s second largest brewery was started in 1983, by a chap called Lex Mitchell. Using the finest local ingredients, Mitchell’s have carefully selected British mashing and German lagering techniques to produce four draught beers that are high in taste.
What to try: Foster’s Lager, Bosuns Bitter, Ninety Shilling Ale and Raven Stout.
Where to drink it: Mitchell’s Waterfront Brewery and Quay Four at the Waterfront, as well as Societi Bistro in Gardens.
Can I visit the brewery? Brewery tours and beer tasting cost R50 (per person) and include insights into all aspects of brewing of their delicious nectars, as well as the opportunity to taste four of their beers.
Arend Street | Knysna Industria | Knysna | +27 (0)44 382 4685

Birkenhead Brewery
This is the first estate to make both wine and brew beer in the Southern Hemisphere. They’re famous for the Honey Blonde Ale which is light and medium bodied, with a sweet fruity finish and a honey aroma.
What to try: Premium Lager, Pride (Old English Bitter), Chocolate Malt Stout and Birkenhead in Pilsner.
Where to drink it: La Perla in Sea Point, Jimmy's Killer Prawns in Somerset West and Grand Café in Robertson.
Can I visit the brewery? Beer tours are available between 11:00 and 15:00, from Wednesdays to Fridays, by appointment only.
R326 | Main Road | Stanford | +27 (0)28 341 0183

Story by Lisa Nevitt and photographs by Andrew 'Guy with Camera' Brauteseth.

Our editor visited Napier Brewery and had a fine 'ol time. And, remember to subscribe to our newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.