A tour of the SAB World of Beer museum and brewery is a must for anyone with an interest in one of the world’s most popular alcoholic drinks. Follow interactive exhibits and watch audiovisual presentations that trace the history of beer from its early beginnings to its arrival in South Africa. Learn about the brewing process then sample some of the nation’s most popular beers.
Guided tours of the museum take place on the hour every hour and start with a video introduction featuring Charles Glass. In 1895, he founded Castle Lager, South Africa’s oldest commercially brewed beer.
Visit Hathor’s Hall to pick up insights into the origins of beer and its importance to some early civilizations. Wages were once paid in beer and the drink was also offered to ancient gods. Discover brewing techniques from Mesopotamia and find out how beer culture arrived in Europe. In the exhibition area devoted to beer in Africa, you will hear about the secrets of Umqombothi, a beer drunk in African villages and revered for being rich in vitamins.
Sample a beer in the African Lion, a replica of a late 19th-century pub frequented by miners. The museum also features a recreation of a shebeen, an unlicensed drinking house common in South African townships during apartheid.
Look at replicas of SAB’s brewing vats and follow the stages of the brewing process. Round off your visit in the Tap Room, where you can drink more beer varieties.
The SAB World of Beer is a short drive from downtown Johannesburg. Public buses and a sightseeing bus stop nearby. Metered parking is available at Mary Fitzgerald Square, a 5-minute walk away.
The brewery museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday and the guided tours last approximately 90 minutes. The admission fee includes beer tasting, a souvenir glass and two drink vouchers to use in the bar. There are discounts for students, pensioners and children under the age of 17. Visit the museum’s website for details of beer tasting packages and how to book a tour.
