Breweries lost
In a time when there are more breweries starting up in South Africa than ever before I am going to write about some of the ones that are no more. Breweries that have ceased to exist. Ex-breweries…
The most recent one is Valley Brewery even if it is not really gone. Lakeside Beerworks is taking over the equipment and Valley London Ale is still going to be available. Glen Adams at Valley Brewery is a busy and creative man and I do understand that he has to choose between his engagements. Another brewery that has “moved along” is Luyt Brewery. In 2011 they closed down in Ballito, KZN. In the press release they stated that they sold the “Brewery Assets to an independent entrepreneur and entering into an equity partnership with the continued brewing of Luyt Lager under License in Stellenbosch, Western Cape “. The new brewery was to become Stellenbrau in Stellenbosch.
Paulaner closed down their business at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and they are still searching for a new location (I think). The former brewmaster at Paulaner Cape Town, Wolfgang Ködel is now the brewmaster at Cape Brewing Company in Paarl. Some good came out of it after all.
Did you have the chance to taste beers from Helderbräu in Somerset West? I did not sadly enough but I know they brewed some really good Lager and Pilsner. They closed down many years ago before the Craft Beer Revolution started in SA. The Brew Equipment was cut up and sold as scrap, I am told.
Do you remember Highlands Brewery at Walkerbouts Inn up in Rhodes, Eastern Cape? They did good until the Tiffindell Ski Resort closed down in 2006. They had Walkers Best Broo Fallabout Stout, Rooikat and Vuyl Ale on the menu. Dave at Walkerbouts Inn told me that ” it was great fun until the Tiffindell Ski Resort closure so, alas, no more brewery at Walkerbouts”. He also told me that he sold the equipment to a fellow in Wolmaransstad who was going to produce whisky.
I would recommend that you keep an eye on Walkerbouts Inn though because the Tiffindell Ski Resort has reopened in 2013 and Dave´s also said, when asked about their plans ” Ja, but who knows what the future may bring!”
There you go! Some South African brewery nostalgia!
Zwakala Microbrewery
Every now and then I write about new South African breweries. Often they are just in the beginning of the process of becoming a brewery. The whole idea is to present them to you early and later write an update when they are ready to start selling. I will add them to the list of South African breweries and update the list if the get a website, Facebook, Google+ or twitter sites.
The latest in the row of new breweries is Zwakala Microbrewery at Zwakala River Retreat in Limpopo Province. According to Denise at the Zwakala River Retreat they “really want to start a brewery, but are not quite there yet”. But you do not have to wait until the brewery is finished to taste their beers. At the moment they have some people brewing for them. Just visit their quarterly Neighbourhood Market at Zwakala River Retreat in Haenertsburg. Be sure to be their early because the beers are always sold out.
As true craft beer supporters they will also promote a couple of other South African Craft Brews at each of their functions. At the next big market (1st September) they will be selling beers from Nottingham Road Brewing Company as well.
More about the market could be found at Minas Art Cafe & Farm Venue on Facebook.
Location: Cheerio Road L10, 0730 Haenertsburg
Website: http://www.zwakalaretreat.co.za
Facebook: Minas-Art-Cafe-Farm-Venue/197357970336407
Twitter: –
E-mail: denise@tooley.co.za
Phone: 083-980 8433
Baked Bistro to make Baked Beer
If you watched Masterchef SA you have seen this talented “chef” on TV already. His name is Zahir Mohamed and he is the man behind Baked Bistro in Bakoven, Cape Town. Baked Bistro opened up its doors earlier this year and with “wood fired pizzas, gourmet burgers and artisanal sandwiches” on the menu it is well worth a visit.
The next step is (off course) to brew their own beers at Baked Bistro. The plan is to launch the first beers during winter and I hope it all goes to plan. When asked about a picture on a Baked Bistro bottle of beer they quickly responded that they “will announce when the Baked beer is ready for trade. [We are] just finalising a few things”.
Go and check them out and ask for some Baked Beers.
Location: 38 Victoria Road, Bakoven 8005 Cape Town, Western Cape
Website: –
Facebook: Baked-Bistro/518592821493064
Twitter: @BAKEDBISTRO
E-mail: info@bakedbistro.co.za
Phone: 021-437 1737
Long Beach Brewery
What could be better after (and during) a long day at the Noordhoek Long Beach than a could beer from Long Beach Brewery in Noordhoek. The southwest part of Cape Town might soon have yet another brewery. This time it is Roger Burton and Jaco De Beer that have plans to start a brewery located at Sun Valley Industrial Park in Noordhoek (not far from the beach). They brew from the garage at the moment but they are in the process to get license to brew commercially. If you attended the SouthYeaster Summer Festival you had the chance to both meet them and taste their beers.
Location: Sun Valley Industrial Park, Hou Moed Avenue, Noordhoek
Website: longbeachbrewery.co.za
Facebook: beachbrewery
Twitter:
E-mail: info@longbeachbrewery.co.za
Phone: –
South African Craft Breweries
I made a list of all South African Craft Breweries that I know of. Some of them is not yet established but on the way. Some have attended festivals and so on but I do not know if they have been licensed yet.
Please let me know if there are breweries missing.
I made it as a long list in order to make it easy to use on your mobile phone. Try it!
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