Luxury beer salon in Cape Town’s CBD

&UNION offers German beer, German meat and inspiring owners

Two parallel streets up from Long Street there is a little place you just have to check out when in Cape Town. Especially if you have an interest in beer.

&UNION in Bree Street.

To be exact, &UNION is below the St. Stephen’s Church in the City Bowl District (CBD). Interesting location. But since monks were the ones who started beer culture – a suitable place for a beer salon. It’s a Cape Town favourite. Big hams and salamis hang down over the counter, besides beer they also offer charcuterie. A good combination. We chat to Rui Esteves, owner of the &UNION and a well known business man (he started Vida e Caffè, the trendy coffee franchise), about beer and the &UNION beer salon.

CTMag: "Collective São Gabriel" - why that name for you and partner Brad Armitage?

Rui: São Gabriel was the name of Portuguese discoverer Vasco de Gama's ship, the one in which he discovered South Africa! "Collective" because we work with a number of small, family owned producers.

CTMag: Who are you? How old, where from, professional background?

Rui: I'm 33. I've been in the food / beverage business for about 12 years. I'm Portuguese so I guess its in my blood! We started Vida e Caffe and sold it in 2006 after we had eight stores.

CTMag: Why beer? What made you go into that business?

Rui: When we started there were not many options for good, hand crafted beers in South Africa.

CTMag: Where do you produce your beer?

Rui: We brew in Germany and Belgium.

CTMag: On your website you guys talk about the "passion for beer" - tell me more about it.

Rui: The passion for beer is really an extension of having a passion for food. Beer can be amazingly diverse. We want to show South Africa that.

CTMag: Why get stuck on German beer?

Rui: Because its our favourite!

CTMag: What feedback do the Germans give you regarding the beer?

Rui: The Germans love our beer. That's the biggest compliment for us. That's how we know we're on the right track.

CTMag: Your beers are called "luxury beers". What's so special about them, what makes them "luxury"?

Rui: Our beers are hand-crafted by small, family owned brewers in very small batches.

CTMag: Tell me about the 'beer belly myth'?

Rui: People have a misconception that beer makes you fat. It doesn't any more or less than wine or spirits. 

CTMag: When did you open?

Rui: Last year (2009).

CTMag: Why?

Rui: Our beer salon is to showcase our beers, and to show Cape Town there is more to beer than industrial lagers from the big breweries.

CTMag: On your website there's a link to weloverealbeer - what's that for?

Rui: We started that site to create community with others that follow our philosophy. The site is to help the small guys get to more people.

CTMag: Where else can I get your beer?

Rui: At &UNION, the Neighbourgoods Market (Old Biscuit Mill) and here.

CTMag: What's the next business idea?

Rui: More beer! We are also making organic spirits which will be available later this year

by Antonia Heil | photos: Greg Beadle

110 Bree Street | St. Stephen’s Church | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 2770

Opening times: 7am – 11pm

Hey, but at &UNION you don’t only get beer. Organic coffees, sandwiches, croissants, wine, cheese, biltong, meat platers (yummy ham) with salad... go and check it out! You want more? More secrets in and around Cape Town? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on twitter and Facebook!