International Beer Day has descended upon us and along with other social traditions in South Africa, craft beer tasting has become a pastime that Capetonian locals and visiting tourists are truly passionate about. Local beer breweries in Cape Town have produced some exceptional and unique beers and the exciting industry keeps on growing, with many already having established international acclaim.

While some of Cape Town’s favourite breweries introduce new methods of brewing and explore various styles to produce unique results, most tend to favour the tried and tested techniques that always deliver classic and stunning flavours – either way, we love the current trend of beer production in Cape Town and put together a few of our favourite beery pubs, breweries and restaurants to enjoy on International Beer Day.

Banana Jam Cafe – A proudly South African hang out spot in Kenilworth with a Caribbean vibe and a funky, casual ambiance, the Banana Jam Cafe offers guests a selection of 30 beers on tap and over 80 various beers in the bottle – the largest in Cape Town. From locally crafted Lagers and IPA’s to fruity beers and flavourful Ales and even a unique selection of house brews, beer enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice and might even find a new favourite brew while spending time at Banana Jam Cafe. With a jamming food menu to add to the awesome vibe and overall appeal, guests can dine on some traditional Caribbean styled meals like a Crazy Goat Curry or Pineapple BBQ Ribs or else an indulgent mouth-watering dessert, while enjoying an amazing craft beer of their choosing. The decor is colourful and a bit crazy, perfect for trying out something new while also working your way through a selection of beers – of course, there is a lot to go around and choosing just one is hard!  The added excitement of live music sets the pace for a fantastic night out. The Banana Jam Cafe definitely deserves its place on our list of favourites for celebrating International Beer Day.

CBC (Cape Brewing Company) – One of the most widely recognized names in the Craft Beer Brewing industry of Cape Town; CBC produces some sensational beers and has grown in leaps and bounds since  first opening its doors in 2012 – these beers can be found in many local liquor stores and are often served on tap or by bottle in other popular bars around Cape Town. Beautifully situated at the popular Spice Route between fragrant wine valleys and overlooking serene rolling hills, a visit to the CBC Brewery is sure to be memorable. “Born from a real thirst for beer”, a combination of passion and hard work has resulted in this breweries success. The four core CBC brews are Pilsner, Lager, Krystal Weiss and Amber Weiss – each of these beers in unique and amazing in their own way. Visitors to the CBC Brewery can enjoy beer tasting to make sure nothing is left to the imagination, although once these crafted beers have been introduced, many find it hard to leave without at least buying a 6 pack or two and so the trend continues, with CBC never failing to deliver amazing quality craft beers to all.

Mitchell’s Waterfront Brewery – A warm and welcoming pub situated at the lovely V&A Waterfront of Cape Town, Mitchell’s not only serves an amazing variety of craft beers on tap and by the bottle, but also offers guests live entertainment and stunning views of Cape Town’s beautiful harbour and Table Mountain in the distance. Guests can enjoy their Beer Day celebrations among strangers who often become friends over great beer and hearty pub meals. Mitchell’s is “where the party never stops and the beer always flows”, inviting guests to enjoy relaxing outings with family and friends. Karaoke, comedy and live bands keep everyone on their toes and later in the evening a dance floor opens up. As South Africa’s second largest brewery which uses only the finest ingredients and carefully applies German lagering techniques, guests can rest assured their beer drinking fantasies will come true when visiting Mitchell’s Brewery and Pub.  Beer tasting and insightful brewery tours at Mitchell’s’ will introduce visitors to the four most popular craft beers produced here which are Fosters Lager, Bosuns Bitter, Ninety Shilling Ale and the Raven Stout.

Beerhouse – A bright sunshine yellow building that stands out on Long Street (which is known as Cape Town’s most alluring nightlife destination) Beerhouse is the place-to-be when it comes to celebrating South African Beer Day. Beerhouse brings the phrase “99 bottles of beer on the wall” to life, literally showcasing 99 bottles of beer on their wall behind the bar and tempting everyone that visits by doing so. The passionate barmen (and ladies) behind the bar are ready to answer any novice beer drinkers questions and even suggest a few favourites to begin with. Outside, the narrow balcony comes to life at night as locals, tourists and groups of friends socialize over their drink of choice while inside a lively dance floor and rustic booth seating or bar seating are available to guests. There is a delicious food menu available to guests as well, while the beer menu is exciting and includes beer on tap or by the bottle, served in a few size options depending on whether you are just tasting or enjoying your favourite brew. Some popular beers served on tap at Beerhouse include local brands like Devils Peak, CBC and Jack Black.

Wild Clover Brewery – With a vision in mind to create authentic and exciting handcrafted beers through traditional and natural brewing methods, the alluring Wild Clover Brewery is situated on a lovely farm on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. A combination of time, a passionate team and a clear mission resulted in the production of Wild Clover Breweries four appealing craft beers which each adopt a critter of curiosity – The Eagle Weiss gives of a fruity taste and is light and easy drinking, the Blind Mole is a crispy and refreshing Pilsner, the Double Owl is a citrusy Ale with a nutty aftertaste and the Black Dog is a porter style beer inspired by a staffie named Zach, offering coffee and chocolate flavours that are perfect for a cold winters day. The cosmopolitan tasting room is brightened with plenty of natural lighting and light wooden accents, with an outdoor seating area that offers guests shade and sunshine. The friendly staff at the Wild Clover Brewery are always willing to share stories of the inspirations behind each beer, for those who are interesting in learning.