Hops and Craft Beer on the Garden Route

Hops farming is an interesting mix of farming and brewing. The hops plant comes from Northern Europe, and the first hops in South Africa were planted by Jan van Riebeeck in 1652. By 1658, the first South African beer was brewed. In the 1920s, the George area became known for growing hops thanks to its Mediterranean climate, with mild temperatures, rain, and almost no frost.

Hops are planted in August and September, trained on trellises, and harvested in February and March. Only the female flowers are used in beer, giving it its bitter taste and aroma.

Craft Breweries to Visit
The Garden Route is home to several great craft breweries:

Tsitsikamma Microbrewery – Located in Tsitsikamma Village, offering unique ales and Weiss beers.
Sedgefield Craft Brewery – Family-run, with Blonde Ale, Irish Red Ale, IPA, Weiss, Porter, and “Tiddly Tortoise” Pale Ale.
Red Bridge Brewing Co. – Knysna-based, small-batch beers including Ginger Beer and Non-Alc Golden Ale.
South Cape Breweries – Mossel Bay, known for Glenhoff Lager, Ale, and Weiss.
Thornycreek Brewery & Red Bus Café – Kleinpoort, try the Imperial Stout and Wild Honeybush Ale.
Outeniqua Brew Co. – Blanco, uses local hops; beers include Cliffside Lager, Woodlands Pale Ale, Black River Porter, and seasonal beers like Liquid Amber Red Ale and Snowbird Lager.
Enjoy beer tasting along the scenic Garden Route, paired with fresh organic food from our own garden in the peaceful Klein Karoo.