By MIKE HALLS
Woodstock Brewery, was founded by owner Andre Viljoen in 2010 and opened their doors in 2014. Located on Albert Road right in the center of Woodstock, which is well known as the craft capital of Cape Town. The brewing team is headed up by the well respect Murray Stephenson who has been at Woodstock since the early days.
"The journey for Woodstock Brewery began in Korea when Andre Viljoen decided that he wanted to try out something entrepreneurial and move back to the Mother City. The decision to go with a brewery was inspired by the fact that it was a perfect combination of art, business and science. In addition, there was a big gap in the craft beer market in South Africa."
Woodstock have one of the biggest variety of beers in the country. Starting with an entry level Pilsner, designed to persuade the SAB loyalist to give craft a try, right the way through to their flagship beer - Californicator. A 6.5% ABV, 65 IBU, India Pale Ale (IPA) that at the time of writing is voted the top beer in South Africa on Untappd. They also have four seasonal beers that are designed to compliment the corresponding season. As we are in spring, they have just launched Acid Queen, a Granadilla Sour Beer, which is tasting amazing this year. Lastly they have a specialty beer with a cult following. Sugarman, a Belgium Quad that has been aged in red wine barrels for six months. It's certainly not for the faint hearted, but is everything I love about craft beer and was a well deserving winner of Best Dark Beer at the 2017 National Beer Trophy.
Woodstock's beers are aptly named around the theme of Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll and their taproom exudes this ethos. It's an awesome place to hang out and enjoy their beers at their freshest and for the cheapest price in town. If your indecisive why not try a flight of all their beers. Don't like beer? (why the fuck are you reading this!) They also serve Drifter's Buchu G&T on tap as well as some guest beers and if you're really lucky, a small batch masterpiece created by either Murray or Dylan.