There is South African Breweries, obviously, manufacturing Castle, Black Label and Hansa beers locally. They are one of the most successful South African multinationals and they also import a number of their beers (think Peroni, Miller, Pilsener Urquell, Grolsch).

United National Breweries brews various brands of umqombothi (traditional African sorghum beer) throughout the country.

But mass-produced beer is not where the trend is. Since I have started researching local products there has been a proliferation of microbreweries and local beers brewed and sold on restaurant premises (brew pubs) or at markets and beer festivals. They are independent breweries making artisanal beers often in small quantities and seasonal varieties. What they all have in common is that they are proudly local, fierce beer lovers and that their brews comes with inspiring names, creative labels and pleasant flavours. I can’t claim to have tried every single one of them, but between friends and family we make a selfless effort to taste (and swallow) as much as we can when attending the ever increasing number of micro-brewery festivals. Under the influence of one of these happy events, my friend Jane gifted bottles of artisanal beers to all of her (over 18) friends this past Christmas. What a wonderful way of spreading the message of good hop!

Here are some of the brewpubs to look out for across the country:

Barrique Restaurant on Vredenheim Estate near Stellenbosch (Dark and Pale Ale).

Gilroy’s in Muldersdrift (Lager, Pale Ale, Premium Dark Ale, Ruby Ale).

Honingklip Breweries on Honingklip Farm in Botsriver (Blonde, IPA, Wit).

Karoo Brew(ery) at the Mystic Tin in Montagu (Dark, Honey or Karoo Draught).

Misty Meadows Craft Brewery at Country Kitchen on Misty Meadows Estate in Sinksabrug Hamlet (Buzzard Country Ale).

Mogallywood in Magaliesberg (Roeks Premium).

Saggy Stone Brewing Company at Saggy Stone near Robertson (California Steam, Stone Draught).

Sneeuberg (or The Brewery) in Nieu-Bethesda (Ale, Bitter, Lager, Porter).

Wild Clover at Wild Clover Estate off the R304 near Stellenbosch (Black Dog Porter and others).

And these are some microbreweries listed by province. Various share premises with a restaurant/pub. The beers offered by each are listed on www.proZA.co.za, for the sake of their lovely names.

Western Cape

Birkenhead Brewery, Boston Breweries, Cape Brewing Co, Citizen, Darling Brew, Devil’s Peak Brewing Company, Dieks’ Bru, Jack Black, Karusa, King’s Craft Brewing Co, Mitchell’s Brewery, Napier Brewery, South Cape Breweries, Stellenbrau and Triggerfish Breweries.

Please note that while the Brewers & Union beers certainly have a very nice design, they are NOT local but produced in Germany.

Gauteng

Ale House, Black Horse, Brauhaus am Damm, Copper Lake, De Garve, Drayman’s Brewery, Smack! Republic, The Cockpit Brewhouse and Three Skulls Brew Works.

KwaZulu-Natal

Basset Breweries, Nottingham Road Brewery, Porcupine Quill Brewery, Shongweni Brewery/ Robson’s, Standeaven Brewery and Zululand Brewery.

Mpumalanga Anvil Ale Brewery and Hops Hollow.

Free State Clarens Brewery.

Eastern Cape Bridge Street Breweries and Emerald Vale.