Cool brew! Your ultimate guide to SA's best beer festivals

Lovers of ales, lagers, Weiss and stouts are spoilt for choice when it comes to the number of beer festivals taking place around the country in 2017

FEBRUARY

Saggy Stone Beer & Music Festival, Western Cape

Saggy Stone Beer & Music Festival is unlike other drinks festivals because the bands come first. To kick off the festival, an awesome line up of South African artists have been confirmed to perform.

When: Saturday, February 11, 10am-6pm

Where: Saggy Stone Brewing Company, Amandalia Farm, Agtervinkrivier, Robertson, R165-R400, saggystone.co.za

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Helderberg Craft Beer Fest, Western Cape

The first planned annual event on the Helderberg social calendar, 11 Western Cape craft brewers plus SAB's Newlands Spring will be present.

When: Saturday, February 18, 11.30am – 8pm

Where: Southey's Vines, 186 Main Road, Somerset West, R70, craftbru.com

Clarens Craft Beer Festival, Free State

For the sixth time, South Africa’s top dedicated micro-breweries return to the majestic foothills of the Maluti mountains for a weekend filled with fun, flavour and great entertainment.

When: Friday, February 24, Noon-8pm; Saturday, February 25, 10am-6pm

Where: Clarens Village Square, Clarens, R110-R195, clarenscraftbeerfest.com

APRIL

SouthYeasters Summer Festival, Cape Town

The annual SouthYeasters Summer Festival is the biggest home brewers competition in South Africa; over 50 brewers will bring more than 100 types of beer to taste.

When: Sunday, April 2, 11am-4pm

Where: SouthYeasters, Newlands Brewery, 3 Main Road, Newlands, price TBA, southyeasters.co.za

SA On Tap Craft Beer Festival, Joburg

Whether you're a home brewer keen to learn from experienced brewers or just appreciate truly South African brews, this is the place you need to be. They'll be top SA bands and 22 of SA's best craft breweries with great food and fun for the whole family.

When: April, Thursday 6, 5pm-9pm; Friday, April 7, 4pm-9pm; Saturday, April 8, 10am-3pm and 4pm-9pm

Where: Bell Tower Lawns, Johannesburg, R110-R120, saontap.co.za

JUNE

Capital Craft Beer Festival, Pretoria

Capital Craft Beer Festival combines beer drinking with musical entertainment; they'll be over 30 local micro-manufactured brews on offer as well as nosh from various food vendors. Entertainment includes live performances from a number of local artists, bands and comedians such as Majozi, AKing, Deep Fried Man, Radio Kalahari Orkes and more.

When: Saturday, June 10, 9am-6pm

Where: Pretoria National Botanical Gardens, 2 Cussonia Ave, Pretoria, R150, capitalcraft.co.za

Solstice Festival, North West

This craft beer and food festival is hosted by the Irish Ale House in Broederstroom.

When: Saturday, June 24, 8am-5pm

Where: Off R512, Jalapor Road, Broederstroom, solsticefestival.co.za

JULY

Beer Boot Camp, Joburg and Cape Town

Fun meets eduction at Beer Boot Camp, a full-day symposium for professional brewers and beer enthusiasts. Delegates will hear from leading brewing specialists from around the world, as well as experiencing practical sessions and beer tastings.

When: July 8 in Joburg and July 15 in Cape Town, 7:30am-7:30pm

Where: Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg, Johannesburg; The River Club, Liesbeek Parkway, Observatory, Cape Town, R 850-R1,000, beerbootcamp.weebly.com

AUGUST

SA On Tap Craft Beer Festival, Durban

Not to be missed, this event features 30 of SA's best craft brewers plus a brilliant line-up of music with great food and fun for the whole family.

When: Saturday, August 5, 10am-3pm and 4pm-9pm

Where: TBA, R130, saontap.co.za

SEPTEMBER

Pretoria Bierfest

Voted as the “next best thing” to actually being at the Oktoberfest in Germany, the annual festival is the country’s largest festival of Bavarian bier culture. Festival goers are encouraged to dress up, eat eisbein and order jugs of craft beer.

When: Friday, September 1, 6pm-11pm; Saturday, September 2, 11am-4pm and 6pm-11pm

Where: Loftus Stadium, R125-R875, bierfest.co.za

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SA On Tap Craft Beer Festival, Pretoria

Enjoy sips from 30 of the country's best craw brewers plus awesome food and music.

When: Friday, September 1, 4pm-9pm; Saturday 10am-3pm and 4pm-9pm

Where: TBA, R120, saontap.co.za

Thousand Sensations Craft Beer & Food Festival, Garden Route

This year marks the fourth installment of this popular event.

When: September 15-16, Friday 3pm-10pm, Saturday 11am–10pm

Where: Wilderness Hotel, Wilderness near George, R100-R160, ticketstroom.co.za

OCTOBER

Durban Bierfest

Voted as the “next best thing” to actually being at the Oktoberfest in Germany, the annual festival is the country’s largest festival of Bavarian bier culture. Festival goers are encouraged to dress up, eat eisbeins and order jugs of craft beer.

When: Friday, October 6, 6pm-11pm; Saturday, October 7, 11am–4pm and 6pm-11pm

Where: Kings Park, R125-R875, bierfest.co.za

NOVEMBER

Cape Town Bierfest

Voted as the “next best thing” to actually being at the Oktoberfest in Germany, the annual festival is the country’s largest festival of Bavarian bier culture. Festival goers are encouraged to dress up, eat eisbeins and order jugs of craft beer.

When: Friday, November 3, 6pm-11pm; Saturday, November 4, 11am-4pm and 6pm-11pm

Where: Newlands Brewery, R125-R875, bierfest.co.za

Cape Town Festival of Beer

Featuring over 200 beers, this is the premier celebration of all things beer.

When: Late November, TBC, Friday Noon-11pm; Saturday Noon-11pm; Sunday, 10am-7pm

Where: Hamilton’s Rugby Club, capetownfestivalofbeer.co.za