20 awesome local craft IPA beers and where to find them
Beer lovers will be pleased to know it’s International India Pale Ale Day on 4 August. Here is our roundup of some of the best local craft IPAs, and where you can find them.
Why not check out the taproom hours, and plan an IPA itinerary to celebrate?
1–8. Brewers Co-op
This brewery is doing a whole IPA week, with competitions, specials and a whopping eight varied IPAs on tap from 2–6 August, including:
• Pursuit of Hoppyness Black IPA by Lethu Tshabangu/Ukhamba Beerworx
• Battlecruizer American IPA and Ship Full Sail Session IPA by Michael Howes/Hopping Frog Brewworks
• Hoppy Cock Belgian IPA by Richard Andrew/HopHazard Brewing
• Venom American IPA by Rob Ambler-Smith/Damnation Brewing Co
• On the Ropes American IPA and Below the Belt Black Rye Double IPA by Justin Elliott/Fighting Bear Brewing Co
• King in the North Double IPA by Brett Irvine and David Talbot/Harbinger Brews
Location: 135 Albert Rd, Woodstock
Hours: Tue–Thu 4.30pm–9pm | Fri 4.30pm–10pm | Sat 12pm–10pm
Brewers Nick Shaw and Nick Worsely have made a fresh batch of their single hop varietal Blue Lotus IPA in time for International IPA Day. They do Thirsty Thursdays and Free Beer Fridays (yes FREE), so swing by.
Location: Ground Floor, Wembley Square, Solan Road, Gardens
Hours: Mon–Fri 10.30am–5.30pm (some extended hours, call to check)
10. Drifter Brewing Company
Nick Bush has made something to put hairs on your chest: The Scallywag, a bold, bitter, hop-forward West Coast American Style IPA. Drifter is running an IPA competition too, check out their Facebook page for info.
Location: 156 Victoria Rd, Woodstock
Hours: Call to book
11. Aegir Project Independent Brewery
Rory Lancellas’s Aegir Giant IPA will greet you with citrusy, peachy, pine needley aromas, then seduce you with marmalade, tangerine, candied orange and biscuit malts on the tongue.
Location: Red Herring Trading Post, Noordhoek
Hours: Fri 4pm–8pm | Sat 12pm–6pm |Sun 12pm–5pm
12–14. Devil’s Peak Brewing Company
Devil’s Peak is famous for its King’s Blockhouse IPA, but do also try the Red Wine and Black IPAs.
Location: 95 Durham Ave, Salt River
Hours: Mon–Sat 11am–11pm | Sun 12pm–6pm
15. Long Beach Brewery
Roger Burton has produced an IPA for beginners, you might say: the decidedly less bitter Green Room. Expect a great fruit and malt balance on the nose and a hoppy palate.
Location: Unit 6E, Sun Valley Industria, Hou Moed Ave, Noordhoek
Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–7pm
16. Jack Black Beer
If you need Dutch courage, opt for the Skeleton Coast IPA, which has a full malt flavour and extreme hop character.
Location: 10 Brigid Road, Deep River
Hours: Wed–Thu 10am–5pm | Fri 10am–10pm| Sat 10am–3pm
17. Riot Beer
Marc Fourie’s hoppy Valve IPA took second place at the 2015 National Craft Brewers Championships, so it’s definitely worth a taster.
Location: 145 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock
Hours: Fri 4pm–10pm, Sat 10am–2pm
18. Woodstock Brewery
The Californicator American IPA also ranked in the top 10 at the 2015 National Craft Brewers Championships. It’s styled on the US Pacific Coast, and has rich tropical and citrus fruit aromas and a lingering fruity finish.
Location: 252 Albert Rd, Woodstock
Hours: Tue–Thu 1pm–8pm | Fri 12pm–8pm | Sat 10m–5pm
19 and 20. Cape Brewing Company
CBC has two IPAs going on, the Mandarina Bavaria IPA, with naartjie, nectarine and lemon notes, and the Cape of Good Hops IPA, which combines gooseberry and passion fruit with grassy resinous flavours.
Location: Spice Route Destination, Suid-Agter Paarl Rd
Hours: Mon–Sun 10am–5pm
PRO TIP: Want to enjoy a bunch of the above under one roof? Beer lover Richard Andrew is hosting an International IPA Day event at A Touch of Madness to celebrate the beer style. Get info here.
BONUS ROUND: Not in Cape Town? Never fear, these breweries also do IPAs:
Copperlake Breweries: Copperlake IPA
SMACK! Republic Brewing Co: The Braamfontein Brawler IPA
Clarens Brewery: Clarens Brewery IPA
Shongweni Brewery: Robson’s Hammer of Thor Double IPA
The Toti Brewing Company: Toti Hopstrosity IPA
The Cockpit Brewhouse: Cockpit Mustang IPA
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