What ever happened to [insert brewery name]?
Many a blip appear and disappear on the radar of the craft beer industry as business come and go, fold and merge.
Here, in memoriam, those that blazed a trail.
Below are the results of scouring forums, stagnant social media accounts and MIA websites, for clues as to what happened to the South African craft brewery you once knew. May their memories live on long and gloriously.
Red Sky Brew
Location: Godon’s Bay, Western Cape
Marked as Permanently Closed in Google results, Facebook page is gone, and last posts on Twitter from around 2019.
Dog & Fig Brewery
Location: Parys, Free State
In a tweet dated 27 July 2021, Dog & Fig announced that they had closed their doors doors indefinitely. Their partners at the brewery however, Helden and Mestiere Distilleries are continue to operate.
Brauhaus am Damm
Location: Rustenburg, North West
The orignal Brauhaus am Damm has been sold, but lives on as Brauhaus Afrika.
Brewers Co-op
Location: Woodstock, Western Cape
Stash Breweries
Location: Sasolburg, Free State
In a post to their FB dated 13 October 2020, Stash Breweries announced that the pandemic has taken its toll, and they had no alternative but to close shop.
Route 62 Brewing Company
Location: Montagu, Western Cape
Via Facebook on 2 Oct 2020: “Sadly we have had to close the brewery and will be winding down over the next few weeks. We thank those who have supported us but we have unfortunately lost the fight.“
Stone Circle Brewery
Location: Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape
Somewhere during South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown, the lot in Wembly Square, Gardens that previously housed Stone Circle Brewery, was vacated. It’s now empty and devoid of Stone Circle cheer.
Wagon Trail Brewing Co
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Via Facebook on 20 August 2020, it was said due to the economic impact of the pandemic, it was decided to keep Wagon Trail Restaurant and Brew Pub closed until further notice.
Sir Thomas Brewery
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
In an announcement posted to their Facebook page on 24 June 2020, Sir Thomas Brewery shared that they were drawing the curtain on their brewery.
Big Buddies BBQ & Brewing Co
Location: Middelburg, Mpumalanga
Unconfirmed. In May 2020 a post said they were not reopening at Stage 4 Lockdown, but to watch their page for a big announcement that is yet to come. Website is gone (as at 11 Oct 2020).
Blouberg Craft Brewery
Location: Blouberg, Western Cape
A short and not-so-sweet post to their Facebook page on 2 April 2020 simply said: We closed our brewery.
Mogallywood Brewery
Location: Maanhaarrand, Gauteng
On both Google and Facebook it’s marked as permanently closed.
Metal Lane Brewery
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Last online activity: 19 July 2019, Facebook
A favourite, Meta Lane Brewery quietly went into the night.
Owl & Hare Craft Brewery
Location: Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga
Last online activity: October 2018, Facebook
Although this pub/restaurant/brewery has never been particular active online, the last year or so has proven particular challenging for finding anything current. Then a recent sweep of the interwebs netted this article which lead to this ad on GumTree, explaining the owner has retired and the equipment, presumably no longer in use, is for sale.
Keghouse Micro Brewery
Location: Randburg, Gauteng
Zebonkey Brewery
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
While, since April 2019 they are no longer at the brewery at DelVera Farm, last we heard Zebonkey lives on as a contract-brewered brand. Should the Zebonkey find a new stable of their own again, they shall be duly returned to the breweries list.
Rockland Breweries
Location: Hartebeesfontein, North West
Website is down, Facebook is gone.
Helderberg Breweries
Location: Somerset West, Western Cape
Website is gone, Facebook quiet since May 2018.
GRT Brewery
Location: Graff-Reinet, Eastern Cape
Not sure, but no traces online since 2018 (Untappd).
Daxis Craft Brewery
Location: East London, Eastern Cape
Clearing out the cobwebs in 2020 and checked up to see how Daxis doing. Social medias hasnt seen action since early 2019, and on TripAdvisor theres a report from June 2019 to say it permanently closed, and one from November describing how the brewery is now a space for veggies and home bakes.
Growler Brewing Co
Location: Brits, North West
Gone. No clues, website and Facebook offline, last traces on Twitter were circa 2017.
Harbour Shack Brewery
Location: Mossel Bay, Western Cape
Disappeared. Last post on Facebook in September 2018 was a For Sale sign, so I guess that’s a clue.
Inmind Brewing
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
In a reply our enquiry owner/brewer Vernon said that as of February 2018 Inmind was no longer brewing and that, at the time of our enquiry in July 2018, none of their products remained in the market. The complete, fully operational brewery was up for sale, and only as a consequence of having to choose on focusing on one of two businesses, a pick in which the brewery drew the short straw.
Savage Brewing
Location: Killarney Gardens, Western Cape
On Facebook in January 2018 Savage Brewing announced a pause to their brewing operations, primarily motivated by the severe water shortage the Western Cape was facing at the time. At the end of June 2018 we followed up to find out about an imminent return, to which they replied that although they haven’t shut down, they wouldn’t be resuming anytime soon either. Status therefore: on ice.
Club House Breweries
Location: Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
In June 2018 we noticed how quiet it was on Club House Breweries’ social media front, so we reached out to the brewery contact who shared the news that the brewery had, in fact, been sold.
Old Main Brewing (OMB)
Location: Howick, KwaZulu-Natal
Last activity was on their FB in September 2017, but their phone number (still on their FB & website) is now answered by an unrelated business. We’ve reached out via email in the hopes of a reply.
Head De’ville Beer
Location: Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng
Via a text to the number we had for the brewer, Jacques De Villiers, it was confirmed in June 2018 that Head De’ville Beer had ceased operations.
Krugerbrau
Location: Sasolburg, Free State
On their Facebook page in February 2018 Krugerbrau put their brewery license up for sale, and shortly after some of their equipment too. Messages to the FB contact number were not returned.
Scavenger Brewery
Location: Assagay, KwaZulu-Natal
Scavenger Brewery, which opened around 2017, had closed its door by June 2018. Confirmed by the former brewery contact in June 2018.
Stickman Brewery
Location: Stikland, Western Cape
After quite a while of seeing for sale ads for this brewery, Johan from Stickman Brewery confirmed in May 2018 that the rumours were founded, Stickman was to shut its doors that month.
The Cockpit Brewhouse
Location: Cullinan, Gauteng
In March 2018 The Cockpit Brewhouse tweeted “We regret to inform you that the Cockpit Brewhouse is closed indefinitely / until further notice by the owner.” A few months later, in June 2018, a message appeared on Zeppelin Craft Beer Brewery‘s Facebook page, announcing a Relocation Party in August 2018, to be held once Zeppelin had moved into what was previously Cockpit Brewhouse’s home at 80 Oak Ave. in Cullinan.
Windermere Cider
Location: Grabouw, Western Cape
Rumoured on Twitter it was confirmed by a former Windermere contact via text in May 2018, that Windermere Cider would be closing out at the end of that month.
Plebs Microbrewery
Location: Mowbray, Western Cape
A rather colourful web of abandoned Internet addresses, Facebook pages and recycled contact numbers, entangled the legend of this brewery, and the unit it occupied. Eventually, with disbelief suspended, an in-person visit to the listed street address confirmed the inevitable: the brewery no longer exists.
Long Mountain Brewery
Location: Robertson, Western Cape
The brewery closed late 2016 early 2017 when the owner/brewer for Long Mountain Brewery joined Four Cousins to brew Boet Beer.
Beerfly Brewing
Location: Brackenfell, Western Cape
Last online activity: 10 March 2017, Facebook
Beerfly Brewing dropped off the radar circa March 2017, with their last online activity being on Facebook. Their website domain had also lapsed, so we reached out to Beerfly’s last listed contact who subsequently confirmed that the brewery had closed down for good.
Dragon Ginger
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
We originally added Dragon Brewing Co back in July 2013 under the impression that beer would eventually follow. However, Dragon Brewing has gone on to become quite the successful hard ginger producer instead, so it was removed from our list of craft beer brewers. Nevertheless, Dragon Ginger lives on.
Jack Black’s Brewing Co
Location: Diep Rivier, Western Cape
Heineken struck again in Feb 2018 when it became official that a partnership was struck with Jack Black, that included acquiring a minority stake in the pioneering craft brewery. With the global behemoth’s muscle behind an already national champion, we have no doubt the sky’s the limit. And with that, they have outgrown our list of craft breweries.
Brothers Brewery
Location: Boksburg, Gauteng
Social media went quiet in March 2016, and they’re not brewing anymore, confirmed by the contact listed on their Facebook page.
11 Shillings Parkhurts Ale
Location: Parkhurst, Gauteng
Last online activity: Untappd, March 2016
West Coast Brewery
Location: Lambertsbay, Western Cape
From the start it was hard to find info about this brewery, having only “discovered” it by accidents through an obscure mention of a brewery in a community forum. Eventually contact with the brewer was made, but we’ve been unable to repeat that feat recently in an attempt to follow up. As far as we know the brewery has never had any kind of online property.
From the Zee Brewing Co.
Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Last activity was on Twitter in September 2017, but their website is gone and domain de-registered, and their Facebook page has also disappeared. Messages have been sent..
Jacobs Brewhouse
Location: Wolmaransstad, North West
Messages to this brewery has gone unanswered
Mind The Gap Cider
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Facebook aside (where the last post was in 2015), there was some Untappd activity on their products in 2017, but their website, and presumably the email along with it, has since gone offline. Contact has been attempted and a reply is eagerly awaited.
Malt N Metal Brewing
Location: Middelburg, Mpumalanga
Last online activity: 3 January 2017, Facebook
Thanking their supporters on their Facebook page, but without elaborating, a short message posted on January 3, 2017 simply said they were now closed.
2 Rowdy Boxers Brewing
Location: East London, Eastern Cape
Last online activity: October 2016, Facebook
No official confirmation yet, but last FB activity was October 2016 and their website domain name has deregistered. Messages to last contact number on record has gone unanswered.
Harfield Beer Company
Location: Southfield, Cape Town, Western Cape
Last online activity: 6 November 2016, Ratebeer
No official confirmation, but rumours of equipment being sold aside, their online properties are inactive and no response to email sent.
Odyssey Craft Brewery
Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Last online activity: 6 September 2016, Facebook
In a post circa May 2016 the brewery announced their intention to sell.
Anderson’s Brewing Company
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Anderson’s Brewing Company came to be in 2015 and was added to our list in May 2016. After appearing online in a crowd-funding campaign the brewery has dropped off our radar. Their crowd-funding page, Facebook and website have all since disappeared. Presumed lost.
78 Brewing Company
Location: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Last online activity: 25 May 2014, Twitter
Bardwell Brewing Company
Location: Driefontein, KwaZulu-Natal
Last online activity: 25 May 2014, Twitter
Closed shop, confirmed by brewery’s former contact person in Aug 2016
Diek’s Bru
Location: De Rust, Western Cape
Last online activity: 30 Jan 2014, Rate Beer
Luyt Lager
Location: Balito, KwaZulu-Natal
Last online activity: Closed down in 2011
Rumour had it that Luyt Lager (or its equipment at least) reincarnated as Stellenbrau.
Stellenbrau
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Having inked a deal with Heineken March 2017, Stellenbrau lives on and will undoubtedly thrive. As a brand of Big Beer however, they are no longer on our list of craft breweries.
Misty Meadows
Location: George, Western Cape
Last online activity: Aug 2016
“No Misty Meadows” was the only comment offered when we phoned.
Napier Brewery
Location: Napier, Western Cape
Last online activity: Closed shop in 2014
Confirmed via a Facebook reply to a message posted by their page in Feb 2016
Ndlovu Brewery
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Confirmed by former brewery contact in Aug 2016.
Dewside Restaurant & Craft Brewery
Location: Thabazimbi, Limpopo
Last online activity: ~
Closed shop. Confirmed by former co-owner in Oct 2016.
Brilou’s Brauhaus
Location: Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
Last online activity: Fell off the radar, presumed lost.
Enquiries to listed contact number not replied to.
Brothers in Arms Brewery
Location: Somerset West
Last online activity: Fell off the radar, presumed lost.
Website, Facebook offline, last SM mention 2015
Kaya Breweries
Location: Bloemfontein, Free State
Last online activity: ~
Kaya Breweries transformed into The Famous Brew & Still near the middle of 2015. Lives on as The Famous Brew & Still.
Hate City Brewing Company
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Last online activity: ~
On 29 June 2016 Hate City Brewing announced on their Facebook page that they were calling it quits, for now.
Mtunzini Brewery
Location: KwaZulu-Natal
Last online activity: ~
Previously from KwaZulu-Natal, Mtunzini Brewery moved to Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape in 2016, where it lives on as Brewery on the Beach.
VonB Craft Beer
Location: Kommetjie, Western Cape
Last online activity: ~
Last we heard of VonB Craft Beer was in 2016 after Little Wolf Brewery took over their space in Kommetjie.
Three Skulls Brew Works
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Last online activity: ~
Somewhere in late 2014 or early 2015, Three Skulls brewery owner, Jonathan Nel, paused his independent brewing to contract brew for a while. By mid 2015 fans were wondering what happened. The answer in a Facebook comment from the brewer on 1 Aug 2015 was “any day now”.
Roca Microbrewery
Location: Franschhoek, Western Cape
Last online activity: ~
The Dieu Donn Vineyards was home to one of Franschhoek’s first craft breweries. It suffered consistency and quality issues however. It was later renamed Roca Microbrewery, and eventually shut its doors.
These breweries are listed based on repeated attempts to get replies from listed contact details. Where replies were not forthcoming, assessments were made based on their lack of products in the market, last activity on social media, deregistered domain names, and websites that are offline, and bounced emails and/or invalid phone numbers.
Worry not, we still have a thriving list of effervescent South African craft breweries.