10 Craft Breweries in Cape Town You Should Know

Woodstock Brewery is situated in the heart of the vibrant suburb of the same name. Many consider this one of the best craft beers in the Cape, and the brewery is open for tours and tastings. They give visitors good insight into the brewing process and access to up to 10 different brews. Those who like what they taste, pair it up with a meal from the Woodstock Grill and Tap.

Woodstock Brewery, 252 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 21 447 0953

Woodstock Brewery | Courtesy Woodstock Brewery

This powerhouse microbrewery in the sleepy suburb of Noordhoek, a spectacularly scenic drive from Cape Town’s CBD. Just because they’re a little out of the way doesn’t mean they should be taken lightly. They produce a range of brews with creative names, beautifully-designed labels, and quality beer to match. Though still a small operation, pop into the brewery at the Red Herring, taste all available stock, and even fill up on a selection of tasty snacks as well.

Aegir Project Brewery, 65 Beach Rd, Noordhoek, Cape Town, South Africa, +27 61 964 9535

Aegir Project Brewery | Courtesy Aegir Project Brewery

Cape Brewing Company, or CBC, has risen towards the very top of the local-craft beers list. Though now found in most bars and restaurants across the country, a visit to CBC’s brewery at Spice Route in Paarl is still a worthwhile day trip. While there, taste the wide range of varieties before dining out at a variety of restaurants, delis, and cafés.

Cape Brewing Company, Suid-Agter-Paarl Rd, Paarl, South Africa, +27 21 863 2270

spice route | © Werner Bayer/Flickr

Darling was one of the original kids on the craft-beer block. Now they’re all grown up, but they’re still staying true to their original goal of producing fine-tasting beer with the best ingredients. As one of the more successful craft beers, it’s common to find it at retail stores, bars, and restaurants, or venture out to the quaint town of Darling to sink a few cold ones in the Darling Brew Tasteroom.

Darling Brewery, 48 Caledon St, Darling, South Africa, +27 21 286 1099

Darling Brew | © Jim Sher/Flickr

Devil’s Peak Brewing Company produces some of the city’s original and most celebrated craft beers. With a dedication to shaping up the generic-beer market, they produce a small but diverse range with bold flavours. They also throw a few seasonal styles into the mix each year alongside all other varieties at their remarkably-slick taproom in Woodstock.

Striped Horse produces a small range of excellent beers. Together with their branded bars and restaurants, they have earned favour from across the city. Striped Horse can be found on many bar and restaurant menus, but nothing quite beats sinking a few cold ones at their shiny new—but impressively retro—Striped Horse Bar & Grill in Muizenberg.

Hout Bay’s Urban Brewing Co. may only be two years old, but they’re already making craft beer lovers head over the mountain to the other side of town. Urban Brewing Co. claims to use a mix of new and classic techniques to produce their range of five established beers, and this shows through in unique flavours and serious character. Their beers can be found throughout the Cape, but their pub located next to the popular Bay Harbour Market is well worth a visit.

The quiet town of Stellenbosch may be better known for its wine, but if Stellenbrau has anything to do with it, people will head there for a pint or two instead. They produce a range of four beers using high-quality ingredients that visitors can purchase at their Stellenbosch taproom. They also offer insightful tours of their brewery, teach guests how they make that fine craft beer, and provide samples.

Stellenbrau, The Woodmill Lifestyle, Vredenburg Rd, Devonvallei, Stellenbosch, South Africa, +27 21 883 3622

Stellenbrau Brewery | Courtesy of Stellenbrau

Staying true to the core of the craft beer revolution is the Brewers Coop in Woodstock. In a humble venue on the popular Albert Road stands this cooperatively-owned microbrewery and bar. They offer new and established brewers the chance to make small batches of original beers in the back and then sell them to the public from the small bar out front. As with any brewery of this size, beers can be hit or miss, but prices are always good, the atmosphere relaxed and friendly, and there’s a good chance of finding a real gem hiding behind one of the creative taps lining the wall.