The 12 best craft beer taprooms in Cape Town

With stainless steel piping and towers of kegs, Woodstock Brewery serves up all the beer hall vibes you could wish for in a taproom. The atmosphere, fed mostly by loyal locals, is always solid - especially on weekends and around big sporting matches when the big screen rolls out. On windless Woodstock days, the balcony is also a boon. But regardless of when you visit, there’s no better place to taste your way through their eight permanent beer options, from their crisp lager to a great hop-forward American IPA.

252 Albert Road, Woodstock

Banana Jam café, in the suburb of Kenilworth, has always been popular for its array of craft beers on tap coupled with great pizzas. So when they decided to expand in 2015 a natural addition was a new brewery and venue upstairs. Since then the Afro Caribbean Brewing Company has become as famous for its innovative brews as it is for its eye-catching packaging. From sours and porters to hazy IPA, and with 30 beers on tap at any one time, this is the place to visit if you want to take a deep-dive into the diversity of craft beer. 

157 2^nd Avenue, Kenilworth

Named after the legendary Antarctic explorer, Shackleton Brewery produces a range of exciting and experimental beers, including ales, a stout, and a few limited-edition IPAs. They sell these mostly in canned draught form—but why settle for a canned draught when you can sample the beer fresh from the tap? The Shackleton Taproom, located at their new brewery in the light-industrial suburb of Paarden Eiland, is the best place to make your way through the selection. It also hosts private events.

23 Transvaal Street, Paarden Eiland

One of the newer kids on the craft brewery block, LOCAL Brewery & Co has become a favourite of beer lovers throughout the city. The founder’s biochemistry background means LOCAL produces one of the best lagers in the city, and their authentically industrial Woodstock taproom – open on Fridays from 3pm until late – is the ideal place to sample and stock up. Ask the barkeep to explain their nifty Bottoms Up Beer Dispenser.

35 Sussex St, Woodstock

Saggy Stone has its roots in the rugged mountains of the Robertson Valley, but their Kloof Street taproom will save you the two-hour drive. It’s a vibey venue that skirts close to a traditional restaurant and bar setup, but is a great way to tap into their diverse range of ales, small batch brews and experimental collabs. The California Steam is a standout.

18 Kloof St, Gardens

Aegir Project Brewery started as a tiny outfit tucked beneath the trees in the quiet coastal suburb of Noordhoek. At the time, they focused on making a few niche beers and making them well. Although their range has since expanded, and they eventually took over the neighbouring restaurant to create a full-service taproom offering, their focus on quality, quirky beer is unwavering. Their bar and restaurant distribution is limited, so if you want to sample Aegir’s full range at its freshest, best you take the scenic drive south. There's an impressive menu of beer-friendly food on offer too.

65 Beach Road, Noordhoek

When they launched in 2007, Jack Black’s owners sold their lagers out of an icy keg in the city’s popular Old Biscuit Mill market. They were a hit, and as craft beer took off, the curiously named brand started appearing on restaurant menus and tap line-ups throughout the city. But it took until 2016 for the fans to get what they wanted - a proper, unpretentious brewery and taproom serving the original beer along with its new stablemates, solid burgers, and a good vibe. Look out for limited releases on tap, and a well-stocked shop alongside for taking home your choice of brew. They also sell and refill growlers.

10 Brigid Rd, Diep River

Most travellers head to Paarl and Franschhoek for the wine, but on the road past SImondium, you’ll certainly want to stop in at the Soul Barrel taproom. Set on a working farm, with plenty of space in the garden for kids to run about, this rustic gem offers a rotating selection of brews – typically nine on tap – that champion local ingredients and bold flavours. Try the hoppy Live Culture Cape Wild Ale fermented in French oak or the Cape Cone IPA, made with South African hops. For something unique, opt for their ‘sour beer’ Ale of Origin, fermented spontaneously using wild yeasts. The taproom’s laid-back vibe and farm-style setting, complete with sweeping vineyard views, create the perfect backdrop for a relaxed afternoon of tasting the Soul Barrel crew’s artisanal brews. You can also sign up for a guided tour and tasting hosted by the head brewer.

In the suburb of - you guessed it – Salt River, the Taproom Salt River offers a solid range of brews from one of the city’s pioneering craft brands. Though they may, for some, have outgrown the craft category, Devil’s Peak continues to deliver the goods across a core range and special releases. And where better to try them than this buzzing outpost. The burgers here are famous, but the beers are even better. Opt for a flight to sample them all, or head straight for the coldest, freshest pint of your favourite Cape Town-themed beer.

150 Cecil Rd, Salt River

Hey Joe Brewing Co. brings a taste of Belgium to the Cape Winelands at a farm-based taproom on the outskirts of Franschhoek. Taking inspiration from the brewing traditions of Belgium, their range of seasonal beers includes a crisp Blonde Ale, refreshing Farmhouse Ale, or rich Dubbel. The Belgian Cherry offers a local twist on the European classic. Alongside the brews, you’ll find an extensive menu of beer-friendly food, from Chalmar steaks to the collection of famous burgers. There’s a dedicated kids’ menu, too, and an outside area for them to play in while you taste. It’s a real beer lover’s escape in the heart of the Cape’s historic wine valley!

The Cape Brewing Company, known by most as CBC, has grown rapidly to become one of Cape Town’s most widely-poured craft beers, on tap or bottled, at bars and restaurants across Cape Town. But it’s well worth the 40-minute drive to seek out their modern brewery and taproom at the Spice Route destination farm near Paarl. You’ll find a laidback atmosphere, various meals and snack options, and the widest range of CBCs to sample or take home.

Suid Agter Paarl Road, Suider Paarl

The sprawling industrial complex of Newlands Brewery may turn out millions of litres of mass-produced beer each year, but it’s also hone to a craft brewing operation under the brand Newlands Spring. You’ll find the brewery beneath a hoppy cloud close to Cape Town’s famous Newlands cricket ground, and its regular beer tours let you sample a few variations and sink two full beers at the end. The Newlands Spring weiss beer is particularly good.

3 Main Rd, Newlands