Welcome to Karoo Craft Breweries….and this is our story. Karoo Craft Breweries (KCB), founded in 2015 and based at Simonsvlei Winery in Paarl, has been operating since August 2016 and was originally built as a contract brewing facility. The original idea was to assist craft brewers and homebrewers to scale their production, establish their brands, and grow until they’re ready for their own facilities. As from end 2017, the contract brewing business had to make way for KCB’s own beers and thus we don’t do contract brewing anymore. The contract brewing facility was originally planned to be situated in Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo, thus the company was registered as Karoo Craft Breweries. As most of the contract brewing need was in the Winelands in the Boland we decided to rather look for a premises in this area to make more financial sense for us and our clients, from a logistical viewpoint. Our mission is to support South Africa’s craft beer industry by brewing consistent, high-quality beer. The brewery consists of a 500L brewhouse and 12 x 1000L fermenters, crafting high-quality beers for the local market and soon for the export market. Our core range features six unique brews:
Welcome to the team of Karoo Craft Breweries!
We would like to introduce our team which produces a cold one to the public wherever they are!
Managing Director
Jannie grew up on a deciduous fruit farm in Tulbagh and after he matriculated at Tulbagh High School, he conducted his studies at the University of Stellenbosch where he graduated in 2001 with Viticulture and Oenology as main subjects. He then continued with Viticulture as main subject and obtained his Hons B Sc Agric degree in 2002. Interestingly, Jannie then started his career at Simonsvlei Winery (we Karoo Craft Breweries is currently situated) as Winemaker at the end of 2002 and in 2004, started to fulfill the role as Viticulturist for Simonsvlei Winery. During the time that he worked for a Paarl based company in 2014 – 2016 as a Technical Specialist for wine adjuvants, he was also responsible for selling beer equipment to the Craft Beer Industry. Jannie is the co-founder of Karoo Craft Breweries which started to operate in August 2016 as a contract brewing facility and in 2017 started to make their own range of beers.
Head Brewer
Growing up in Albertinia on a family farm and matriculated from Oakdale Agricultural High School, achieving a BSc degree in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology at the University of Stellenbosch in 2015. After his studies he worked on the farm where they produced barley and wheat as part of operations and started his journey in the beer industry. He started in December 2016 as the Junior Brewer at Karoo Craft Breweries and got promoted to the Head Brewer along the way.
Brewery Assistant
Sam was born in Gugulethu and moved to Nyanga and then Paarl. He was in School in Paarl, Mbekweni and after, he studied at CPUT. Working through Spur, Shoprite and Woolworths he started in 2021 at Karoo Craft Breweries as a Brewery assistant.
At Karoo Craft Breweries we believe that a great beer consists of more than just the sum of its parts. Our flavoursome beers are crafted with the highest quality ingredients, dedication and passion.
As majestic as the Kudu, this Lager proves why it’s the leading beer style for the discerning South African market.
Crisp, refreshing and light, yet bursting with flavor.
As sly as the Jackal, this crafty IPA satisfies from the first sip. Not for the faint-hearted.
Tropical flavors blend in with a strong malt presence to aid in giving the beer a well balanced taste.
As distinctive as the Oryx walking the dry, hot Karoo, this fruity Weiss is a refreshing take on a beloved classic.
Fruity with Pear, Banana, Bubblegum and subtle flavor of Cloves.
As adaptable as the Impala, we are confident that this refreshingly fruity Ale will fit any beer lover’s daily routine.
Fruity with Citrus, Passion Fruit and a subtle lingering bitterness that is ideal to quench any thirst.
As bold and rebellious as the Ram, this full-bodied beer is a perfect companion for any time of the day.
Dark, Rich and Creamy Bursting with notes of Dark Chocolate and Roasted Coffee.
As colossal as the Rhino, this low-alcohol Lager punches way above its weight class with a lovely malt body followed by that crisp refreshing finish. The perfect beer for those hot summer days.
Malty, refreshing and light, yet packed full of that local flavour.
340ml Bottles - 2 x Rhino Lager, 2 x Kudu Lager, 2 x Oryx Weiss, 2 x Ram Stout, 2 x Jackel IPA, 2 x Impala APA
