SA’s craft beer industry has been growing fast over the last 10 years, and is getting increasingly popular.
South Africans are considered the thirstiest consumers of beer per capita in the world. At an average of about 60 litres of beer per person per year – the craft beer industry has tapped into a gold mine.
Craft beer is made using 100% natural ingredients and no additives, preservatives, thickeners or stabilisers. It takes longer to brew and the breweries don’t cut corners to save money at the expense of quality and taste.
The Garden Route has not taken a back seat and we are seeing more and more microbreweries popping up everywhere.
Have a look at these 5 craft beer breweries and pay them a visit next time you are in the Garden Route.
Tsitsikamma Microbrewery
The Tsitsikamma Village Inn has a microbrewery that is brewing up uniquely local brews available on tap. Their one of a kind brewery tap room can be found between the Village Inn and Marilyn’s 60’s Diner. They are constantly trying new recipes and methods to create unique Tsitsikamma craft beer flavours, so make a stop if you like your brew with a twist.
Where? Storms River
Website: https://www.tsitsikammavillageinn.co.za/
Sedgefield Craft Brewery
Sedgefield Craft Brewery is a family owned and run establishment that specialises in high quality handcrafted beer. They have remained very traditional and produce 6 beers: Blonde Ale, Irish Red Ale, India Pale Ale, Weiss beer, Porter and for special occasions the sought after American, Pale Ale “Tiddly Tortoise.” These beers are handmade and contain no maize or preservatives. They only use high quality local and imported hops, barley, yeast and filtered water.
Where? Sedgefield
Website: http://www.sedgefieldbrewery.co.za/
Robertson Brewing Co.
Robertson Brewing Co. beers’ ingredients are sourced locally and internationally so not all their beers are always available so enjoy the surprise. The brewery is situated at the Brewpub & Bite restaurant so why not crack a few cold ones with your mates while digging into one of their delicious calorific platters.
Where? George
Website: http://robertsonbrewery.com
Red Bridge Brewing Co
At Red Bridge Brewery they believe the essence of being craft has everything to do with involving locals. Their hops are sourced from as near to Knysna as possible the exceptional growers at the top of the Outeniqua Pass near George.
Darren Berry and Chris Marsicano never dreamed that one day they would own their own brewery. From completely different professional backgrounds it was their love of Craft Beer, unique tastes and the excitement of exploring brewing boundaries that sparked the formation of the Red Bridge Brewing Co. in 2012.
Their beers are available bottled or on tap at the brewery.
Where? Knysna
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redbridgebrewing/
South Cape Breweries
South Cape Breweries opened in late 2012 in Mossel Bay. They launched Glenhoff Lager as their first beer and have since added an Ale and Weiss beer to their range. This is a classic scenario where a hobby developed into a business for everybody’s benefit.
They no longer wanted to keep the experience and pleasure to themselves – they had to share it with the Mossel Bay community and its visitors! They use the finest ingredients for their quality beers, including specially purified water.
Where? Mossel Bay
Website: https://southcapebreweries.com/our-brewery/
This beautiful part of South Africa, is not only a craft beer enthusiast’s delight but the region also offers a vast range of things to do on the Garden Route year round. Come and experience it for yourself! Book your next holiday in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay or Knoetzie at one of our luxury self catering villas – the magic and wonder of the Garden Route awaits you!
