Country

Best breweries in South Africa

We track 198 breweries in South Africa. None currently rate Great or better. Soul Barrel Brewing in Simondium leads the list at 3.80 (Fine).

The scale

Exceptional
A short list of extraordinary breweries worth planning a trip around.
Great
Consistently produce world-class beer.
Fine
Make genuinely good beer, if not the pint you will still be talking about next year.
Poor
Not bad beer so much as unremarkable beer.
Limited
Most craft beer drinkers pass these by.

1
Soul Barrel Brewing
Simondium, Western Cape, South Africa
At Soul Barrel Brewing, we aim to create a world-class South African beer culture by brewing artisanal, innovative beer that reflects our time, place, and personality. We believe real beer is made with soul. Our brewing showcases our passion for local ingredients, hoppy ales, old world barrel fermentations and our uncompromising commitment to quality. We believe beer is the greatest beverage in the world. Savouring an amazing brew can be a life changing experience. Our brewery exists to contribute to these epic moments. The brewery is in the heart of the Cape Winelands outside of Franschhoek, built within the old tank walls of the former Drakenstein Cooperative Winery.
Rating
3.80Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
2
Afro Caribbean Brewing Company
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Afro Caribbean Brewing Company produce's unproven beer and is ranked #25 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Hopsession", which is an English IPA and "Jungle Paradise", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.
Rating
3.72Fine
Popularity
Lightly rated
3
Agar's Brewery
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Agar’s Brewery opened its doors on 1st August 2014. The Agar family has a long tradition of brewing, dating back to 1852 when Charles Agar brewed pineapple beer in Durban. Mike Agar, the Brewmaster, has been brewing for over 20 years, and developed this passion whilst watching his grandfather brew. Agar’s Brewery only uses the finest ingredients sourced from around the world to craft a family of distinctive beers, including its Jozi Blonde, Red Ale, White Dog Saison and American Pale Ale.
Rating
3.71Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
4
Mad Giant
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Mad Giant produce's good quality beer and is ranked #3 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Killer Hop", which is an American Pale Ale and "Urban Legend", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and IPAs.
Rating
3.70Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
5
Aegir Project
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Aegir Project produce's decent quality beer and is ranked #5 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Giant IPA", which is an American IPA and "California Steamin'", which is a California Common. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and IPAs.
Rating
3.69Fine
Popularity
Lightly rated
6
Feral Brew Co.
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Rating
3.65Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
7
L’abri Fountain Brewery
Limpopo, South Africa
L’abri Fountain Brewery produce's unproven beer and is ranked #18 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Caramel Lager", which is a Pale Lager and "Choc Mint", which is an Other Stout. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.65Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
8
Friar's Habit Craft Brewery
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
We are three guys who want to create a great brand of beer. Just three guys who have a love of drinking great craft beers while being around even greater friends. We have accepted the challenge to take Friars Habit up a notch and turn it into a fully operational brewery. We are very excited with the path we have chosen and even more excited to get our beers out to everyone.
Rating
3.55Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
9
Frontier Beer Co.
Roodeplaat, Gauteng, South Africa
Frontier Beer Co. was established in 2016 and represents the relentless pursuit of world class beer. We feel this region is a modern frontier. Our brand is centred around the palpable energy and positive aspects of life in this amazing place.
Rating
3.53Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
10
Gallows Hill Brewing Co.
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Mass produced lagers are certainly not what beer should be… Gallows Hill Brewing Co. aims to produce small batch, full-bodied, hop filled, more flavourful, all natural & interesting beer of exceptional quality to discerning palettes. Beer used to be unique and positive part of communities. Unfortunately this disappeared thanks to the marketing & volume driven approach adopted by some of the mega-brewers. Gallows Hill Brewing Co. beers are all virtually handmade from an all-malt mash in our handcrafted brewhouse - an example of the simple, traditional brewing methods of old.
Rating
3.51Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
11
Riot Beer
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Riot Beer produce's fine quality beer and is ranked #8 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Valve IPA", which is an American IPA and "Session Lager-Ale Hybrid", which is a Kölsch. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.49Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
12
Little Wolf
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Based in Cape Town and inspired by great beer, cider and food, Little Wolf Brewery is bringing a new level of creative, complex and inspiring drinks to South Africa. With a focus on balanced hop profiles, interesting fermentation character and beautifully balanced flavours, Little Wolf Brewery is here to show you what craft can be.
Rating
3.47Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
13
Shackleton Brewing Company
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
At Shackleton Brewing Company we take pride in everything we produce. It is our attention to detail, the quality of our Craft Beer and Vodka Iced Teas and the boundaries that we push that matter most. We are inspired by the great Sir Ernest Shackleton whose unrivalled story signifies exploration, innovation, and leadership. Our beautiful new Brewery and Taproom is the ideal venue for your function. Located at the brewery in Paarden Eiland, Cape Town, this is where we get to showcase our range with the local community. We serve everything ice cold and fresh, the Shackleton way.
Rating
3.46Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
14
Fisanthoek Brewing Company
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Fisanthoek Brewing Company produce's unproven beer and is ranked #29 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Cloud 7 IPA", which is an American IPA and "Irish Red", which is an Irish Red Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Amber Ales.
Rating
3.45Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
15
Richmond Hill Brewing Company
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Richmond Hill Brewing Company produce's unproven beer and is ranked #20 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Car Park John", which is an American Red Ale and "Two Rand Man", which is an Irish Red Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Amber Ales and IPAs.
Rating
3.43Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
16
Black Eagle Brewing Company
Langebaan, Western Cape, South Africa
Nano brewery in the heart of Langebaan. Our dream is to leave a lasting impression of quality and class with every sip of our breakaway brews. The little brewery with a big heart! Under New Ownership
Rating
3.41Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
17
That Brewing Company
Berea, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
That Brewing Company produce's unproven beer and is ranked #25 in South Africa. They are most well known for "That APA - American Pale Ale", which is an American Pale Ale and "That Blonde", which is a Blonde / Golden Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and IPAs.
Rating
3.40Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
18
Triggerfish Brewing
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Triggerfish Brewing produce's not great quality beer and is ranked #26 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Ocean Potion", which is an American Pale Ale and "Titan", which is an Imperial IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.40Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
19
Featherstone Brewery
Eastern Cape, South Africa
first licensed craft brewery in Makhanda Est 2016. Originally situated in the Featherstone Kloof (the inspiration for our brewery’s name) the location had an abundance of natural mountain spring water. The goal was to “keep it local” where local features prominently in names, labels and where possible ingredients. In late 2019 the Riley’s decided to pursue a new adventure and transferred the whole brewery to another local craft brewer and founder of Entrepid Brewing, William Yell in January 2020. As a homebrewer, William brewed an Historic Beer – a German style Kottbusser – that won the RHBC Home Brew Fest in PE. The beer launched commercially as Renascence and a new Grahamstown craft brewery was born. Renascence is a Honey Wheat Ale brewed with local honey and is available in Makhanda/Grahamstown.
Rating
3.40Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
20
Stimela Brewing Company
South Africa
Stimela Brewing Company produce's unproven beer and is ranked #17 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Straight Arrow Amber Ale", which is an American Red Ale and "Platform Edge", which is an Other IPA. Their primary focus is brewing Amber Ales and IPAs.
Rating
3.40Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
21
1000 Hills Brewery
Outer West Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
1000 Hills Brewery produce's unproven beer and is ranked #35 in South Africa. They are most well known for "The Graduate", which is an Other IPA and "The FES", which is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Belgian Ales.
Rating
3.38Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
22
Stickman Brewery
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Here at Stickman Brewery we believe in crafting the finest beers with the best available malted barley and hops sourced from both local and overseas suppliers. We pride ourselves with the quality of our beers and every batch goes through a quality control process that includes tasting by an expert panel.
Rating
3.38Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
23
Berg River Brewery
Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa
Berg River Brewery produce's unproven beer and is ranked #34 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Helles Lager", which is a Helles Lager and "The Mermaid", which is an Other Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and Pale Lagers.
Rating
3.37Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
24
The Toti Brewing Company
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The Amanzimtoti Brewing Company is Situated in South Gate Industrial Business Park, We have set up a fully kitted brewery. We only use the best quality ingredients and we are passionate about beer.
Rating
3.35Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
25
Savage Brewing
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Savage Brewing produce's unproven beer and is ranked #46 in South Africa. They are most well known for "I.P.A.", which is an English IPA and "Pale Ale", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Wheat Beers.
Rating
3.35Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
26
Lilypatrick Craft Brewery
Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
Lilypatrick Craft Brewery produce's unproven beer and is ranked #16 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Rough Day IPA", which is an American IPA and "Speakeasy Pale Ale", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and IPAs.
Rating
3.35Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
27
Nguni Brewing Co
Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Nguni Brewing Co produce's unproven beer and is ranked #32 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Blonde IPA", which is a Belgian IPA and "Nguni Irish Red", which is an Irish Red Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Belgian Ales and Amber Lagers.
Rating
3.34Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
28
Rockland Brewery
Hartbeesfontein, North West, South Africa
Rockland Brewery produce's unproven beer and is ranked #10 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Blonde Ale", which is a Blonde / Golden Ale and "Red Ale", which is an American Red Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and Pale Lagers.
Rating
3.33Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
29
Three Stags Brewery (TSB)
Boksburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Three Stags Brewery (TSB) produce's unproven beer and is ranked #42 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Red Deer", which is an American Pale Ale and "Moose Oatmeal Stout", which is an Oatmeal Stout. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and Dark Beers.
Rating
3.33Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
30
Stash Breweries
Sasolburg, Free State, South Africa
Stash Breweries produce's unproven beer and is ranked #36 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Crowdsurfer", which is a Session IPA and "Street Fighter", which is an Imperial IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.31Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
31
Stumpnose Brewery & Taproom
Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Stumpnose Brewery & Taproom produce's unproven beer and is ranked #38 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Endless Summer", which is an American Pale Ale and "Yeah Bouy", which is an English IPA. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and IPAs.
Rating
3.31Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
32
Chaos Brewing
Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Chaos Brewing produce's unproven beer and is ranked #22 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Chaos' Pale Ale", which is an Other Pale Ale and "John Doe Pale Ale", which is an Other Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales.
Rating
3.29Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
33
LOCAL Brewery & Co
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Medium sized microbrewery in Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa with 10 000L capacity specialising in a lager but making random beers each week. The taproom is the only place to find the random beers.
Rating
3.28Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
34
Bushman Brewing Co.
Kakamas, Northern Cape, South Africa
Bushman Brewing Co. produce's unproven beer and chooses to limit their brewing to a select few. They are most well known for "Choje Pale Ale (Cho-che)", which is an American Pale Ale and "Kalahari Blonde", which is a Belgian Blonde. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and Belgian Ales.
Rating
3.26Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
35
ABRU
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
ABRU produce's unproven beer and has a limited variety of different ones to choose from. They are most well known for "Simpleton Lager", which is a Pale Lager and "ABRU EPA", which is an English Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.25Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
36
Inmind Brewing Company
Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
The Inmind Brewing Company was established in the early summer of 2014 after 2 years of many test batches of different styles of beers between my father and I. Some of those batches were really great and some of them not so great. We started reading several books, went out seeking advice and brewing tips from many other brewers and this truly has aided us to be who we are today.
Rating
3.24Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
37
Stellar Brewery
Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
Stellar Brewery produce's unproven beer and has a limited variety of different ones to choose from. They are most well known for "Free State Lager", which is a Pale Lager and "Bloem Weiss", which is a Wheat Beer. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and Wheat Beers.
Rating
3.22Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
38
Sharpeville Breweries
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Sharpeville Breweries produce's unproven beer and is ranked #45 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Sharpeville Superior Lager", which is a Lager. Their primary focus is brewing Amber Lagers.
Rating
3.19Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
39
Hoedspruit Brewing Co
Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa
Rating
3.19Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
40
Jeffreys Bay Craft Brewery
Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Jeffreys Bay Craft Brewery produce's unproven beer and is ranked #48 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Albatross Soul Surfers Ale", which is an Other Red Ale and "Supertubes Lager", which is a Pale Lager. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and Amber Ales.
Rating
3.16Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
41
Perdeberg Cellar
Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa
Rating
3.14Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
42
Durbanville Breweries
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Rating
3.13Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
43
Ekhaya
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Ekhaya produce's unproven beer and chooses to limit their brewing to a select few. They are most well known for "Dlamini", which is a Belgian Blonde and "Jwarha", which is a Dark Lager. Their primary focus is brewing Belgian Ales and Dark Lagers.
Rating
3.13Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
44
Benn Koppen
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Benn Koppen produce's unproven beer and chooses to limit their brewing to a select few. They are most well known for "Cape Frontier", which is a Helles Lager and "Benn's Blonde", which is a Blonde Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.10Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
45
Kalahari Craft Beer
Upington, Northern Cape, South Africa
Kalahari Craft Beer produce's unproven beer and is ranked #47 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Meekat IPA", which is an American IPA and "Gemsbok Lager", which is a Helles Lager. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.
Rating
3.09Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
46
Untamed Brewing Company
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Untamed Brewing Company produce's unproven beer and chooses to limit their brewing to a select few. They are most well known for "Painted Pale", which is an Other Pale Ale and "African Amber Sky", which is a Brown Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and Brown Ales.
Rating
3.09Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
47
Nobleman Brewing Co
Hekpoort, Gauteng, South Africa
Nobleman Brewing Co produce's unproven beer and is ranked #49 in South Africa. They are most well known for "Farmer Fred", which is a Pale Lager and "DJ Masheshe", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and IPAs.
Rating
3.08Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
48
Elysium Brewing
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Elysium Brewing produce's unproven beer and chooses to limit their brewing to a select few. They are most well known for "Revolucion", which is an International Pale Ale and "Meine Gute", which is a Pale Lager. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.08Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
49
Bicycle Brewing Co
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Bicycle Brewing Co produce's unproven beer and chooses to limit their brewing to a select few. They are most well known for "Bohemian Pilsner", which is an Other Pilsner. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers.
Rating
3.08Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
50
The Jackal Brewing Company
Herbertsdale, Western Cape, South Africa
The Jackal Brewing Company produce's unproven beer and chooses to limit their brewing to a select few. They are most well known for "The Jackal", which is a Pale Lager and "The Wolf", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.08Poor
Popularity
Barely rated