Based in the town of Darling in the Western Cape, the Darling Brew Tasteroom offers contemporary pub-style food with the full craft beer experience. Inside the Tasteroom, you can enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the interior workings of the brewhouse itself. Most of the ingredients for your delectable pub lunch, and the craft beer on tap, is sourced from the Cape West Coast community. Beer tastings are offered through their popular ‘tasting flights’ and their full range of bottled beers is available for sale in easy-to-carry four-packs.

The Darling Brew is not only carbon neutral but also family friendly. Kids will revel in the gigantic jungle-gym in the outdoor area. Well-behaved dogs are welcome there as well.

But what makes this craft beer brewery so special? The passion that lies behind it’s ‘slow-beer’ concept. ‘Slow Beer’ is not only the name of their first beer but also their philosophy and slow fermentation process.

Brewing excellent beer in a truly sustainable way has resulted in Darling Brew being officially declared Africa’s first carbon neutral brewery. In 2016, their brew, Blood Serpent, was developed, becoming not only a beer of exceptional taste and quality, but it was also seen as an innovation in both the craft beer industry, and in conservation. Darling brew is committed to achieving a more sustainable brewery and brewing process, to create awareness around animal conservation, the preservation of the habitat, and to engage with the local community.

The team’s passion for the conservation of the environment and the wildlife of Africa drives their microbrewing techniques and their carbon footprint. The brewery displays monthly stats regarding their carbon use, energy, waste, and water usage. But it goes beyond that. Darling Brew uses water efficient fittings, has developed an ongoing recycling and food waste management, and in the brewery and Tasteroom area guests are seated at furniture which has been upcycled or made from recycled wood.

If you like craft beer, great food, a family friendly environment, delightful and quirky small West Coast towns with a flavour of their own, then the Darling Brew is well worth a visit.