Craft beer - what's all the fuss about?

For centuries gold has been a highly valuable and covetable metal. Sure, part of the shiny metal’s worth comes down to the fact that it looks pretty wrapped around your finger. However, the true worth of gold is primarily due to its scarcity and in a world of carbon-copy consumerism, we want something extra special.

For this reason, the craft beer movement took over trendy bars and eateries. Lovingly fermented in microbreweries, craft beer gained an identity for its artisanal brewing and small batch numbers. When it is done right, craft beer even tastes like liquid gold.

In South Africa, the craft beer trend is here to stay. We South Africans are notorious for our love of a good jol. You could say that it set the stage for the craft beer trend. It also doesn’t hurt that our almost year-round sunny skies naturally inspire cravings for a cold one.

Although some have argued that craft beer, like bubble tea and frozen yoghurt, is just a foodie fad to be inevitably replaced by the Next Big Thing, evidence points to the contrary, as we have over 220 craft breweries in South Afrca .

Sun City’s Maze of the Lost City, with the help of the Pilanesberg Brewery Bar, expertly serves up a changing selection of the finest craft beers in the most wonderfully curious location.  In a semi-ruined Mayan stone maze lies the perfect spot to explore the world through your beer mug with beers from around the globe.

Let the good times roll and check in at one of Sun City’s amazing hotels, from The Palace of the Lost City to the Cascades – there is something for everyone at Sun City Resort.

The Table Bay Hotel has its very own lager brewed by Cape Town-based Jack Black Beer.

Try sipping on the unique lager at The Table Bay hotel’s Union Bar. Known to be a great spot for any kind of celebration (there’s always something to celebrate when you’re in the most beautiful city in the world), grab a friend or make some at Union Bar.

For more craft beer adventures, check out the annual Capital Craft Beer Festival, only a 30-minute drive away from Sandton and held at the historic Voortrekker Monument.

Craft beer is here to stay, so you should make plans to start getting familiar with this one-of-a-kind drink.