Move over Wine Route, the Beer Route’s coming through. Just look at this list of craft beer breweries near Stellenbosch…
Stellenbosch is a famous South African town, known for, among other things, its university, sprawling vineyards, dramatic mountainous landscapes and, increasingly, its flourishing number of craft breweries.
The first semblance of a craft brewery came to Stellenbosch courtesy of Eben Uys in 2006. An MScEng student at the time, he designed and builtDie Mini-Broueryat the University of Stellenbosch as part of his final year project. Eben would go on to become a process engineer for the construction of Cape Brewing Company, and later still co-found Mad Giant Beer. Die Mini-Brouery lives on at the University of Stellenbosch.
It was 5 years later, in 2011, that the first craft breweries were established in Stellenbosch, followed by a craft beer flourish that brought us the craft beer breweries we see today.
These breweries are within 15km, as the crow flies, from the centre of Stellenbosch. There are a few more brewing facilities and beer brands in town, but this list is for the beer tourist who wants to go visit the brewery to taste the beer brewed on the premises.
Lilypatrick Craft Brewery
Distance: 4.64km
Lilypatrick Craft Brewery just a short from Stellenbosch on the R44 road, tucked away behind a grove of trees opposite the entrance to the Morgenhof Wine Estate.
Stellenbosch Brewing Company
Distance: 13.6km
The Stellenbosch Brewing Company is a craft brewery was started by certified brewer Bruce Collins, and business partner Andrew Birss.