Jozi Gold Taproom opens in central Johannesburg
I will admit that it took me a while to find out about this, so while it’s not recent news, it was news to me and might well be to you.
Jozi Gold Brewing Company started as a contract brand, debuting at Capital Craft Beer Festival in 2025. Earlier this year they opened a taproom in Braamfontein, with all beers brewed on site. There are six beers on tap and a menu of bar favourites with a few South African twists. Upstairs is a 100-seater live music venue featuring local jazz performers on select days.
Zwakala celebrates tenth birthday
Zwakala Brewery in Magboeskloof, Limpopo, recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. The family run, farm-based brewery put on a party to mark the milestone, with live music and a R10 draft special. Check out the full write-up of their big birthday over on their website.
Candy Cane adds grape cooler to their range
Charity beer brand Candy Cane has added a grape spirit cooler to their range. Grape Spritz is a pink-hued, 5% ABV cooler, available via Shackleton Brewing Company’s online store. As with their beers, all proceeds from the sale of the cooler go to local cancer warriors.
Jomp opens new taproom in central Rustenburg
North West-based Jomp Brewing Company has opened a new taproom in the Greystone Crossing Mall in Rustenburg. The taproom, which serves pizzas and Jomp’s beers, as well as a range of cocktails, launched in May. It will run in conjunction with their farm brewpub 20km outside of the town.
Just Brewing launches King Julian tribute beer
Benoni-based Just Brewing has launched King Julian, a collab IPA brewed as a tribute to Just Brewing’s co-founder and brewer Julian Pienaar, who passed away suddenly in January. Two versions of the same recipe were brewed simultaneously – one at Just Brewing and the other at Afro Caribbean Brewing Co in Cape Town. Order online from either brewery or pop in to buy while stocks last.
Woodstock’s Funky Monks named Best Beer in Africa
This is a little late in the day, but I’m finally finding time to report on the 2026 African Beer Cup, where Cape Town’s Woodstock Brewery took the title of Best Beer in Africa for their Funky Monk’s, a barrel-aged mixed-fermentation sour. The beer beat 243 others from 16 countries around the continent to take the top spot in Africa’s biggest beer competition in May. Soul Barrel’s Live Culture won the African Celebration Award, sponsored by the Beer Association of Africa, while Darling Brew took the top spot in the non-Alcoholic beer category. For full results check out https://africanbeercup.com/2026-winners.
Dark Arts Beer launches in Pretoria and Cape Town
Well known brewer Jake Sandenbergh, head brewer at Afro Caribbean Brewing Company in Cape Town, has launched his own beer brand. Dark Arts Beer Project is a side project focusing on unique beers and once-off collabs with prominent SA brewers, with the majority of the beers brewed at Afro Caribbean. Dark Arts launched last month at Capital Craft Beer Academy in Pretoria, and later at Afro Caribbean Brewing Company in Cape Town, with a carefully curated beer and fermented food pairing. Dark Arts beers are available for nationwide delivery via their website www.darkartsbeer.co.za.
Want to learn to brew beer? Join us on our next Brewing Beyond the Basics course, led by Jake Sandenbergh – full details here.
Tolokazi rolls out nationwide distribution following major investment in the brand
Tolokazi Beer has unveiled a major expansion plan, featuring a rebrand and national distribution of their Lager and Rooibos Berry Cider. Thanks to investment in the brand by Grindstone Ventures and the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC), Tolokazi’s products are now being contract brewed at Darling Brew in the Western Cape and distributed through Gauteng, KZN and the Eastern and Western Capes.
Side Hustle opens taproom in Parktown North
Gauteng microbrewery Side Hustle has opened a delightful little taproom on 4th Avenue in Parkhurst, Johannesburg. The cosy bar serves Side Hustle’s beers as well as an impressive selection of boutique wines. Well worth a visit, the taproom doesn’t serve food but you can order pizzas from a nearby restaurant to be delivered to your table.
Got some South African craft beer news to share? Drop me a line to let me know what’s going on!
