International Beer Day in Cape Town

Cheers to beers! Where to celebrate your love for brew in the Mother City

“The mouth of a perfectly happy man is filled with beer” – Egyptian Proverb

There are three universal languages that transcend barriers between people of the world: love, music and beer. And so, in honour of the beloved beverage, ale drinkers around the planet will be raising a glass, pitcher or keg in breweries, bars and backyards on Friday, 7 August 2015 for International Beer Day. That’s right, there’s a real, official day to celebrate lagers, stouts and weisses and unite the millions, possibly billions, of people on Earth who like to end (or start) the day with a nice cold one.

Since its inception in San Francisco in 2007, International Beer Day has grown into a worldwide celebration, with beer lovers from Costa Rica, England, Canada, Greece, Slovakia, Romania, Sri Lanka, South Africa and many other countries on six continents toasting to their favourite brews.  

It looks like International Beer Day in South Africa has found its feet in Cape Town; so it won’t be too difficult to find a spot that quenches that eternal thirst for beer. If you’re looking for beer specials, events and things to do in South Africa, Cape Town has a few options on offer the Friday afternoon and evening. Otherwise, pop into your local watering hole or try a few of the places below. Cheers!

6 PLACES TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY IN CAPE TOWN

Beerhouse
In case it’s not clear from the name, this Long Street favourite is all about bringing beer – all kinds of it – to the masses. In honour of International Beer Day, a truly momentous occasion, Beerhouse will open its doors to the salivating public, showcasing its stellar collection of local and international brew, which includes 25 taps and 99 bottles. If that's not reason enough to have a couple of pints of liquid gold, the incredibly knowledgeable staff will drive home the point that if it ain’t beer, it ain’t worth drinking. Best of all, all local and international beers in the tasting hex are 25% off, giving you the opportunity to sample the best beers in the world for a discounted rate. 
223 Long Street | Cape Town |  

The Taproom Craft Beer Pub & Restaurant
This Salt River craft beer pub and restaurant, which is also home to the Devil's Peak Brewing Company, provides revelers with an uber industrial chic setting that’s ideal for worshipping barley and hops. Aside from unadulterated views of the mountain, this somewhat secret local hotspot offers beer-lovers a range of English-, Belgian- and American-style ales on tap, including Devil’s Peak firm favourites the Woodhead Amber Ale, The King's Blockhouse IPA, First Light Golden Ale and Silvertree Saison. What’s more, the restaurant’s 'New York-street style' menu is chock-full of moreish beer-infused dishes and includes The Taproom’s famous cheeseburgers, pulled pork sandwiches and bar snacks.
95 Durham Avenue | Salt River | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 200 5818

Wembley Tap Craft Beer Bar
Located at super stylish East City lifestyle centre Wembley Square, Wembley Tap boasts the largest selection of small-batch brews in the Mother City. With more than 150 different craft beers and ciders rotating through its 30 vintage taps, there is little doubt that this mecca makes for a great spot to celebrate this pseudo-holiday. Apart from the array of ales on offer, there is also a menu of hearty grub on the go: think yummy snacks like the Thick-cut, Smoked Candied Bacon; Beer Doughnuts with Maple Syrup; Stout Steak, Pepper-crusted Rare Roast Beef and much more.
80 Mckenzie Street | Wembley Square | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 300 0946

Banana Jam Café
Don’t be fooled by the Caribbean theme of this Kenilworth restaurant; it’s as famous for its devotion to locally brewed craft beer as it is for its extensive rum collection (the owners claim it’s the biggest in the country). This Southern Suburbs institution even has its own brew on tap, a Banana Jam Cream Ale, that’s available alongside permanent favourites like Jack Black, Van Hunks Pumpkin Ale and Johnny Weiss. They’re truly taking beer appreciation to the next level, and hey, the best way to avoid a hangover…
157 2^nd Avenue | Harfield Village | Kenilworth | +27 (0) 21 674 0186

Triggerfish Brewing
Housed in a former dynamite plant on the Paardevlei development in Somerset West, the Triggerfish Brewery boasts the widest range of beers, including eight staples and a selection of seasonal or one-off options, of any brewery in South Africa. Whether you prefer easy ales, bold stouts and or hoppy IPAs, you’ll find your perfect pint in the brewery’s rustic tasting room, or if the weather complies, out on the terrace with mountain views. 
Cnr De Beers Ave & Broadway Road | Somerset West | +27 (0) 21 851 5861

Mitchell’s Scottish Ale House 
Mitchell’s Brewery is the oldest known micro-brewery in the country, and though it’s housed in Knysna, it seems that the English-style beers are most consumed at the company’s pub, Mitchell’s Scottish Ale House at the V&A Waterfront. Popular brews, like the flagship Forester’s Draught or the robust Milk & Honey, will go down like a dream on International Beer Day, and you can expect the pub’s usual party atmosphere to be cranked up to 11 to mark this incredibly important worldwide celebration. 
Cnr East Pier & Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 419 5074   

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Looking to stock up on local craft beer? Here are some of the top breweries in Cape Town and the surrounding areas.

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