99 bottles of beer on the... menu at this Joburg gastropub

You'll be spoilt for choice as far as sips are concerned at Beerhouse, a new Fourways eatery that specialises in food-and-beer pairing, write Belinda Mountain

There’s more to Fourways than Montecasino and highways. A slew of vibey new restaurants are springing up in the area and one of them in particular is making a name for itself: Beerhouse.

The celebration of beer is weaved throughout the restaurant, from the striking light fittings fashioned out of beer bottles to the bathroom basin made out of a keg.

The focus is on food-and-beer pairing. Whether you’re an ale drinker, a lager lover or a cider connoisseur, you’re spoilt for choice. You can sample 99 bottled beers and a further 25 on tap (at R550/500ml, the Italian-brewed Xyauyù is the most expensive item on the menu).

Beerhouse is passionate about craft beer and likes to showcase smaller local breweries doing interesting things. We warmed up with the Beer Explorer tasting plate, a selection of six small glasses designed for those just beginning their beer journey. Our favourites were the Soweto Gold lager (brewed close by in Orlando West) and the Soweto Gogo’s ginger beer – thirst-quenching and delicious.

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Our waiter, Frank, was exceptional. He explained the origins of IPA beer practically in the same breath as advising us on the best beers to go with our meal. Because the food menu is designed to complement the beer-drinking, the choices are unpretentious and hearty yet are all of excellent quality.

My friend had the beer-battered hake and chips and declared it light and tasty. The T-bone steak I ordered arrived at our table perfectly cooked with a side of crunchy hand-cut chips. The portions were large, perhaps even too generous for my farm-girl appetite. We ended our meal with a Valrhona dark chocolate brownie with peanut butter icing, pretty much the most delicious dessert I’d eaten in a while.

On weekends, DJs entertain the crowds past midnight and there is live music on Sundays. If you’re a beer lover or know someone who is, this is the perfect place for a lazy weekend lunch or a cheeky midweek stop.

For more information, visit beerhouse.co.za or call 011-465-2402.

This article was originally published in Sunday Times Neighbourhood: Joburg. Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za, like YourNeighbourhoodZA on Facebook and follow YourHoodZA on Twitter.