Johannesburg's Best Craft Beer: Where To Buy

Johannesburg, South Africa's biggest city and financial centre, has seen an eruption of craft beer culture in recent years. With a population of over 13 million, the city has become a hotspot for craft beer enthusiasts, with breweries, bars, and restaurants offering a wide range of unique and innovative craft beers. From well-known brands like Mad Giant and First 15 to hidden gems in the heart of the city, Johannesburg has something for every beer lover. Whether you're looking for a cosy taproom, a vibrant bar, or a quiet beer garden, Johannesburg's craft beer scene has something for everyone. So, if you're in the mood for something cold and crafty, here's a guide to the best places to buy craft beer in Johannesburg.

Mad Giant Beer

Mad Giant's original taproom and restaurant were located in the 1 Fox Precinct in Ferreirasdorp downtown. This location has since closed, and Mad Giant has opened a new, smaller taproom in a busier part of town. The new taproom is located at Delta Central, 96 Conrad Drive, Blairgowrie, and offers a street terrace and indoor seating. Here, customers can pair their beer with dishes from the smoker. The menu includes items like burnt ends, brisket, broccoli, pulled pork, tacos, beer doughnuts, and bourbon creme brulee.

Overall, Mad Giant Beer offers a unique blend of science and passion for beer, with a variety of craft beers and a taproom that provides a range of food and beverage options in a vibrant setting.

First 15 Brewhouse

One of South Africa's first fully black African-owned craft breweries, First 15 Brewhouse is the brainchild of two rugby-playing school friends, Phumlani Khulu and Kgotso Mokhatle, who left the world of banking after 10 years to pursue their passion for beer. The name "First 15" is derived from the title they proudly wore on their rugby jerseys at high school in Vereeniging, where "First 15" was the only team not named "Eerste Vyftien". The name resonates with the company's values of hard work, teamwork, dedication, and fun with friends.

The company is committed to using the best equipment and décor, reflecting the founders' dedication to delivering a high-quality craft beer experience. This passion, combined with business savvy and years of friendship, forms a solid foundation for the brewery.

Copperlake Breweries

The brewery offers a unique experience for groups, where you can brew your own beer. This has proven to be a hit for bachelor and bachelorette parties, with free venue hire included, as well as corporate groups. The venue can also be hired for weddings and other events, with the option to brew a custom beer for the occasion.

You can purchase Copperlake Breweries' beers online at copperlakebreweries.co.za, or visit them at 17 Main Road, Sunrella in Lanseria, Johannesburg.

Gilroy's Brewery

Gilroys Brewery is a microbrewery and restaurant in Muldersdrift, Gauteng, South Africa. The brewery was founded in 2000 by Stephen Gilroy, an Irish-born Liverpudlian, at his pharmaceutical printing company in Roodepoort, Gauteng. Gilroy's Brewery was one of the first microbreweries in South Africa.

Steve Gilroy moved to South Africa in 1970 and began home brewing as he was unable to drink the local beers. In his words, "When I came to South Africa I couldn’t drink the beer. I was used to the bigger [bodied] beers and they simply didn’t have it; it was just a sea of generic lagers. So I started home brewing." Gilroy's Brewery officially opened in 2000 and in 2008, it moved to its current location in Ngwenya Glass Village in Muldersdrift, where it expanded to include a restaurant, beer garden, and gift shop.

The brewery produces five styles of beer: a lager, a pale ale, a ruby ale, and a dark ale. They have also recently introduced a ginger beer. Gilroy's Brewery uses a combination of three types of malted barley in their brewing process: pale malt for the base, and crystal and black malts for colour and flavour. Their beers are naturally carbonated and contain no preservatives or artificial enhancers. Gilroy's Brewery has won multiple local and international awards for its beers and restaurant, including the "Best British-Style Restaurant outside of Great Britain" at the "Best of British Awards" hosted by The Daily Telegraph newspaper in 2012.

The Foundry

Upon entering The Foundry, you'll be greeted by an impressive glassed-off section showcasing a range of beers, including local and imported ales and lagers on draught, as well as a selection of IPAs and other beers by the bottle. The Foundry also offers a beer tasting paddle, allowing you to explore their extensive selection of craft beers.

In addition to their beer, The Foundry takes pride in their food menu, which features a mix of delectable and creatively crafted dishes. Their Wagyu Burger has been praised as one of the best, offering a steak-like experience. Other notable mentions include the maple bacon and blue cheese pizza, and unique appetizers like the Tuna Ceviche Tacos with trout caviar.

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