24 OF SA'S FINEST CRAFT BREWERIES
OVER 150 DIFFERENT BREWS & CIDERS
FT. SHORTSTRAW | WONDERBOOM | BLACK MAMBA MAN | JARYD SMITH | PEDROS BARBOSA | LET GO & MORE
ALL SET IN ONE OF SA'S MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES
Festival info.
SA’s best brews since 2011….
Clarens Craft Beer Festival invites you to join us for another round of the Clarens Craft Beer Festival on the 24th & 25th of February 2023.
We cannot wait to see you again soon:-
The 2023 date is back to the beautiful summers that only the Eastern Freestate can deliver. That means we will have a lineup of 24 breweries and their freshest brews & ciders from across South Africa. You will not find this collection of beers anywhere else in SA.
Friday : 11:00 – 19:00
Saturday 10:00 – 18:00
Tickets will now be sold in a phased approach, this means the earlier you book, the cheaper your tickets will be.
About the fest.
You will not find a collection of beers like this anywhere else in SA.
25 Craft Breweries
Quality assured, screened from all over the country. We bring you the absolute finest selection of craft breweries in SA.
Awesome SA Bands
Visitors can expect a full overhaul of the band lineup. Expect nostalgia and rocking music from some of SA's best artists.
2 Days of magic
Friday from 11:00 - 19:00
&
Saturday 10:00 - 18:00
Over 140 brews, ciders and more...
There is something there for every taste.
Life just becomes a little better after a couple of brews
Our distinguished breweries
Below, we introduce you to each one of them ahead of the show.
Eben - Mad Giant
Owner and brewer Eben is a brewer with a cycling problem or the other way around. The fact that he rides road bikes can be forgiven by his outstanding brews. If you are looking for something consistently mind blowing, then this is the place to go.
Luca - Zwakala
The heart behind the broth - The indomitable Luca Tooley.
Almost always the biggest personality behind any stand and also probably the most entertaining stand to visit. Their beers match their gees, with fresh flavorful goodness from up north.
Megan - Clockworks
Undercover genius. We love chicks that brew and Megan is simply one of the best in the business when it comes to brewing. We recommend you give her Peanut Porter a try.
William - Eversons Cider
His cider house rules
Niall - Richmond Hill Brewing Co.
Owner and brewer, Niall beers always pack a punch. His fresh creative outlook keeps means there is always something inventive going on behind the taps. Richmond Hill is also our only Eastern Cape Brewer this year.
Paul - That Brewing Co.
Owner and brewer Serious about brew and also the king of nitro beer. Try out his irish red for yourself.
Brendan - Copperlake
Owner, brewer & part time model Bren gave up a lucrative career in modelling for pursuit of his true love and happiness. Creating the perfect brew. Bren is also probably the highest qualified brewer in the country.
Greg - Afro Caribbean
Owner, brewer (mostly sometimes) Yes, that's Greg. He knows a thing or two about brewing amazing beers and living his best life while doing it.
Agars brewery - it's a family brew
A true micro-brewery with some of the best beers in the country.
Family run and always ready to welcome you back for another and another. Their Warrior IPA is consistently in our top 5 for SA brews.
Apiwe - Tolokazi Beer
Get ready to meet South African brewing royalty!
There are not many places Apiwe has not brewed and not many brewers she has not inspired with her incredible talent and love for what she does. Her Tolakazi will certainly have you revisiting her stand for more.
Shaun - Standeaven Brewery
Easily one of KZN's finest brewers, the heart and soul behind the Shongweni Market.
Jason - Nottingham Road Brewery
Jason has recently taken over the role of lead brewer at Notties from John. His brewing skills are well documented and sought after across the country after.
Trevor - 1000 Hills Brewing Company
The bar is set pretty high here as this brewery is set and based in the legendary 1000 Hills Chef School, the bar is set
Larry - Loxtonia Cider
It is simply delicious! Some of the best cider this beautiful country has to offer. A range of freshly pressed apple ciders made with hand-picked apples from the Ceres Valley
Brett - Clarens Brewery
The hometown brewery for the Clarens Craft Beer Festival. The responsibility of brewing has recently been bestowed upon Brett from the founder Stefan Meyer.
Donn - Robsons Real Beer
Now Donn at the bar is a friend of ours... You know how the song goes. Robsons has been brewing their fantastic range in KZN since 2006, that kind of brewing vintage is rare in South Africa. They were 1st to pioneer the cherry beer and are famous for their Hammer of Thor.
Monia - Route 96 Brewery
Our only North West brewery and wow do they make their province proud. Set in the growing town of Potchefstroom, Route 96 delivers clean, crisp and well brewed beers across the board.
Frasier - Folk & Goode Brewing Company
Say hello to our new little friends, well not so little. This will be the 1st time that Folk & Goode Brewing Company will be joining us at Clarens. Let's give them the best welcome by drinking all their beers.
Gavin - OC Brewery
Another newbie to out show, let's welcome Gav and the team from the OC brewery from Kya Sands in Johannesburg. Gav's pedigree speaks volumes as he lends his brewery and brewing capabilities to so many other breweries across Johannesburg.
Ronald - Lions River Craft Brewery
Based in the Natal Midlands along Lions River, Ronald and his team bring you some of the best hand crafted brew around. Maybe it is inspired by their incredible setting or maybe it's just their brewing passion. Either way, it is hard to go wrong with any beers in their range, mostly brewed for cooler climates, so it may suite the festival well.
Food Stalls
Baha Taco
Porra’s Pregos
The Prawnery
Griekse Boertjie
Protea Hotel
Bez’t Catering
Noah’s Cheese
Maddison Bakery
Just Morocco
The Filthy Moustache
Begks Smoked Food
Bez’t potjie
12,458+
liters of beer & cider
12
years of rocking festivals
7,200+
thirsts quenched every year
7+
rocking bands
A little bit more...
Quality Cuisine
Hydration is important, but good food is paramount. In the interest of that, we include a massive range of mouth watering food options to keep you fuelled.
Explore Clarens
Clarens has been voted in the top ten small towns to visit in SA for over 10 years running. Head out, explore the mountains or take in the art and culture of the beautiful village.
Bands that make em dance
Click a little hoof to some of SA’s top performing bands.
Arrive thirsty
Tickets do sell-out prior to the show, that gives you plenty of time to build up a thirst for SA’s most loved craft beer festival.
Bands that make em dance...
LILLY & BEAR, RUDO SCHWIM &
MORE...
Band times
Friyay 24 Febrewary
13:00 Bird & Bear
14:30 Rudo Schwim
15:30 Jaryd Smith
18:00 Shortstraw
*Please note that festival gates close for access at 18:30, taps close at 19:00
Saturyay 25 Febrewary
11:30 Let Go
13:00 Black Mamba Man
15:00 Pedro Barbosa
16:30 Wonderboom
*Please note that festival gates close for access at 17:30, taps close at 18:00
A preview of what tunes to expect at the festival from some
incredible local talent featured at the Fest over the years past 12 years...
ticket prices
Phase one tickets are now sold out, we are now in phase two.
All access is charged for. Children’s tickets include access and child minding on the festival grounds. You can book for children when following the booking procedure.