South Africa’s craft beer industry has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade, gaining increasing consumer popularity with South Africans known to be the world’s most enthusiastic beer drinkers per capita, consuming an average of about 60 litres per person annually.
This demand has provided a lucrative opportunity for the craft beer sector.
Also read: Discovering Cape Town’s craft beer: Your ultimate guide
Craft beer distinguishes itself by using 100% natural ingredients without any additives, preservatives, thickeners or stabilisers. Craft breweries prioritise quality and taste over cost-cutting measures, unlike mass-produced beers, resulting in a longer brewing process and uncompromising standards.
The Garden Route region has actively embraced this trend, witnessing a proliferation of microbreweries in recent years. Here are five notable craft beer breweries worth visiting on your next trip to the Garden Route:
Tsitsikamma Microbrewery
Located between the Tsitsikamma Village Inn and Marilyn’s 60’s Diner, the Tsitsikamma Microbrewery offers a unique selection of locally brewed beers on tap. The establishment constantly experiment with new recipes and brewing methods, resulting in distinctive Tsitsikamma craft beer flavours.
- Location: Darnell Street, Stormsrivier
- Website: tsitsikammavillageinn.co.za
Sedgefield Craft Brewery
Sedgefield Craft Brewery is a family-owned and operated establishment that produces high-quality handcrafted beers. The brewery adheres to traditional brewing techniques and offer a range of six beers; including Blonde Ale, Irish Red Ale, India Pale Ale, Weiss beer, Porter and the sought-after American Pale Ale (‘Tiddly Tortoise’).
These beers are handcrafted without maize or preservatives, using only premium local and imported hops, barley, yeast and filtered water.
- Location: The Sedgefield Craft Brewery, Scarab Village, Sedgefield
- Website: facebook.com
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Red Bridge Brewing Co.
Red Ridge Brewing Co is a Knysna-based microbrewery specialising in handcrafted small-batch beer. It is named after the local Red Bridge that spans the Knysna River and is a favourite local gem for outdoor activities and sunsets.
It is a family-owned business, priding itself on crafting beers using South African-built equipment and doing everything in-house, from recipe development, brewing and packaging.
- Location: 5 Noble Street, Knysna
- Website: redbridgebrewing.co.za
South Cape Breweries
Established in late 2012 in Mossel Bay, South Cape Breweries introduced its first beer, Glenhoff Lager, and later expanded its range to include an Ale and Weiss beer.
What began as a hobby eventually evolved into a business to share the joy and experience of its beers with the Mossel Bay community and visitors.
South Cape Breweries uses the finest ingredients, including specially purified water, to craft its quality beers.
- Location: 8 Nywersheid Park, Voortrekker Street, Mossel Bay
- Website: southcapebreweries.com
Barrington’s
Barrington’s Brewery is located in Plettenberg Bay and boasts a ‘five hundred litre brewhouse and ten thousand litres of fermentation tanks’ to supply its customers with a wide array of high-quality craft beers.
Barrington’s produces five flagship beers, namely German Hefeweizen, Irish Stout, American Lager, English Ale, American Pale Ale as well as spontaneous and seasonal batches.
- Location: Barrington’s Piesang Village Road, Plettenberg Bay
- Website: barringtonsplett.co.za
Beyond the captivating craft beer scene, the Garden Route offers a wealth of attractions and activities throughout the year. Whether you choose to visit Knysna, Plettenberg Bay or Knoetzie, this enchanting region promises a memorable experience.
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Also read:
6 fun things to do in Stilbaai, the Sleeping Beauty of the Garden Route
Words: Tsoku Maela / Getaway
Picture: Jon Parry / Unsplash