It’s no secret South Africans love beer with South Africa accounting for 34% of Africa’s formal beer market, according to statistics. A number of your favourite breweries might be stocked at your local liquor shop, but nothing beats trying dozens of different breweries at a beer festival.

The experience of attending a beer festival with other beer enthusiasts, with some of the best local breweries in South Africa, is what keeps us attending these fantastic festivals. Beer festivals are also a great way to learn more about beer, sample various brands, attend clinics and view equipment demos.

Here is a list of upcoming beer festivals taking place in South Africa in 2017.

(Pictured: Woodstock Winter Beer Festival. Photo credit: InsideGuide)

Woodstock Winter Beer Festival

Date: 01 July 2017

What happens: The exciting festival winter festival returns for its third installment taking place in the heart of Woodstock. The event showcases a lineup of unique, once-off winter brews from dozens of breweries including Aegir Project, Afro Caribbean, Atlantic Storm, Brewer’s Co-op, Dissident Brewing Company, Drifter Brewing Company, Hog House, Lakeside Beerworks, Metal Lane Brewery Riot Beer, Stellenbosch Brewing Company, Stone Circle and Woodstock Brewery. There will also bea food stalls and live music throughout the day. Donations go towards Neighborhood Old Age Holmes (NOAH), a local pensioners charity in the area.

Location: The Palms Centre, Woodstock

Info: Woodstock Winter Beer Festival on Facebook

Beer Boot Camp JHB

Date: 8 July 2017

What Happens: Beer Boot Camp brings together hundreds of South African brewers and beer enthusiasts. Throughout the one day conference you will get to experience expert talks, tastings, socializing opportunities and more.

Location: Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg

Info: Beer Boot Camp JHB Website



Beer Boot Camp Cape Town

Date: 15 July 2017

What Happens: Beer Boot Camp brings together hundreds of South African brewers and beer enthusiasts. Throughout the one day conference you will get to experience expert talks, tastings, socializing opportunities and more.

Venue: The River Club, Cape Town

Info: Beer Boot Camp Cape Town Website

Hops at the Hill Craft Beer Festival

Date: 15 July 2017

What Happens: The family friendly festival hosted by Stanford Tourism & Business is a fantastic day-out taking place at Standford Hills near Standford. The popular festival includes a whole day experience of entertainment and craft beer.

Venue: Stanford Hills Estate, Standford

Info: Hops at the Hills on Facebook

Winterfest Extreme Beer Festival

Date: 15 July 2017

About: This is a first of its kind beer festival in South Africa, showcasing beers with a 9% and higher Alcohol by Volume. If you like strong beer for the cold months, try out this festival featuring six different South African craft breweries.

Venue: Triggerfish Brewing, Paardevlei, Cape Town

Info: Winterfest Extreme Beer Festival

SA on Tap Craft Beer Festival Durban

Date: 12 August 2017

About: The SA on Tap Craft Beer Festival is an annual event hosting thousands of beer enthusiasts, bringing the ultimate craft beer experience to your city. You’ll get to experience almost 200 hand crafted brews, ciders, whiskeys and wines from South Africa’s best. A great event for homebrewers to learn, too. There will be a host of interactive themed bars with fantastic food truck offerings to pair with local taps.

Venue: Kings Park Stadium

Info: SA on Tap Craft Beer Festival Website

(Pictured: Cape Town Bierfest)

Cape Town Bierfest

Date: 03 – 04 November 2017

About: Newlands Brewery Village Green transforms into a Bavarian-style beer hall with a carefully selected amount of beers on sale and food like wursts, cheeses and massive pretzels on sale. There’s plenty of music and entertainment over the two day festival, too. Fill up those beer jugs!

Venue: Newlands Brewery, Cape Town

Info: Cape Town Festival of Beer

Cape Town Festival of Beer

Date: 01 – 03 December 2017

About: A three day festival of beer hosted during summertime in Cape Town. Considered the largest festival of beer in the Southern Hemisphere, this year’s edition is expected to be the biggest with guided beer tours, demonstrations, blind tastings, beer judging competition, beer merchandise for sale and more.

Venue: Hamiltons Rugby Club, Green Point, Cape Town

Info: Cape Town Festival of Beer