Where to find some of the best craft beer

Award-winning craft beers at a Bavarian beerhall or taproom

Last updated: Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Some of the best craft beers come from Woodstock Brewery (it’s not just because their brews are inspired by sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll; they’ve also won awards). They’ve turned an old paint factory in Woodstock into one of South Africa’s top breweries, with a Bavarian beerhall, pulsing taproom with punk rock brewers nights, and even sleek food trucks that you can hire.

Woodstock Brewery founder Andre Viljoen bought the building online, while living in Korea. Image: Woodstock Brewery

FOR BEER LOVERS BY BEER LOVERS

Co-owner Andre Viljoen founded the brewery 11 years ago while he was working as a banker abroad. The brewery is filled with giant fermenting tanks that tower over you, with the smell of sweet malt filling the space.

You can book a tour of the brewery or just chill at the beerhall upstairs. You’ll find all sorts of folks hanging out here, from beer nerds to live music lovers, and soccer and rugby fans (there are four TVs and a 2.5m x 4m screen for major sports events).

Woodstock Brewery also has a taproom in Observatory. It's known for its experimental beer and punk rock music nights, which happen every other Thursday with the head brewer. Happy hour is Monday to Friday (4pm to 6pm); this is when it’s packed with students and people getting a pint after work.

The Woodstock beerhall often has live music shows. Image: Woodstock Brewery

AWARD-WINNING, CHEEKY BREWS

Ultimately, it’s about good beers, the names of which have a sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll theme. There are eight core craft beers available, each one cheekier than the last.

These tongue-in-cheek beers are seriously good: At the 2025 African Beer Cup, Woodstock Brewery took home two silvers and one bronze medal, with Rhythm Stick Pale Ale scoring a gold. The Untapped Community Awards also recognised four of their beers in 2024, with Moose Hammer Pale Ale getting gold status.

The craft beers are available at Checkers or via Woodstock Brewery’s website. Image: Woodstock Brewery.

NAMES THAT WILL MAKE YOU BLUSH

Their best-selling brew, Born Slippy lager, is named after an Underworld song made famous in Trainspotting; Mr Brownstone is the Hazelnut Brown Ale inspired by a Guns N' Roses track about heroin. Rhythm Stick, a pale ale, is inspired by the hit song from rock band The Blockheads, about… well… you can guess.

IPA lovers will appreciate that Woodstock Brewery has two to try. Slice of Life is super sessionable (meaning it's lighter and more easily drinkable) with a zesty lemony taste, and Californicator is crafted in the style of India Pale Ales from the US Pacific Coast and is 6.5% ABV (alcohol by volume).

Can you guess the meanings behind the names? Image: Woodstock Brewery

PICK THE BEERHALL OR TAPROOM

The tasting tray is the best way to explore the beers. You can taste all nine on tap or customise your mat when you visit the beerhall or taproom.

The Bavarian-style beerhall has all the zest of Oktoberfest, with regular live music shows and loads of easy-does-it comfort foods. These are on special daily; see the food specials at Woodstock Brewery.

Meanwhile, the taproom in Observatory has a short-but-sweet menu with gourmet beef burgers, wraps, subs, chicken wings, riblets, and jalapeño poppers.

Besides the beerhall and taproom, you can buy at all good independent bottle stores and the Woodstock Brewery website. You can even Checkers Sixty60 Woodstock Brewery.

The music events lineup is on the Woodstock Brewery website. Image: Woodstock Brewery

RENT A FOOD TRUCK OR KEG 

The brewery’s food is almost as impressive as its beers, and they’ve got three food trucks that you can hire for events. Every truck has Woodstock Brewery’s signature brews on tap as well as pulled pork buns, ribs, prego rolls, German sausage hot dogs, or a customised menu.

The beerhall is also up for grabs for any corporate or private event, birthdays, year ends, bachelor/ettes, team-building or networking. Or, if you just need a keg for a wedding, birthday bash, or even a lekker braai over the weekend, you can rent the tap dispensing system and buy a keg or two.

Even the food trucks have craft beer on tap. Image: Woodstock Brewery

GET IN TOUCH WITH WOODSTOCK BREWERY

Sports, live music, punk rock nights, speciality brews, food specials, or just good old-fashioned beers and burgers – either way, you’ll find something at Woodstock Brewery, even if you’re a beer-ginner. 

Woodstock Brewery Beerhall is open:
Monday - Friday, 12pm - 9pm
Saturday 11am - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm


Find it: 252 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Contact on: 021 203 3045, @woodstockbrewery

Woodstock Brewery Taproom is open:
Monday - Tuesday, 3pm - 10pm
Wednesday - Saturday, 1pm - 10pm
(Closed Sundays) 

Find it: 105 Lower Main Road, Woodstock. Western Cape., Cape Town
Contact on: 082 894 4990, @taproom_obz

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