OnTap Magazine

ON THE HOP relevant in the growing craft scene, it seems the landmark anniversary has spurred them on. Earlier this year they rebranded with some eye- catching if not universally loved labels, and have revamped the range. e agship Honey Blonde remains, and the premium lager simply got a new name – Lazy Leopard – and a couple of recipe tweaks, but there are new additions too. e team plans to bring out a monthly limited edition brew, or look out for the Dead Parrot Pale Ale – a permanent member of the range, beautifully balanced with a touch of toast and caramel and some solid citrus notes. e grounds at Birkenhead are a marvellous spot to sit and taste, with views of the Kleinrivier mountains providing an Instagrammable backdrop. ere’s no accommodation on site but adorable Stanford is only about 500 metres away with its cute cottages and book-ahead-to- avoid-disappointment lunch spots. Try to make time for a boat trip along the Klein River, where you can braai, birdwatch and sip beer on board. THE OCEAN ROAD Hermanus is home to two breweries, but neither has their own tap room, so instead pass through whale country and head for the hills. Honingklip Brewery sits just above the R43 between Fisherhaven and Botrivier. Owners Mark and Analize ter Morshuizen are veterans in the local brewing scene, running the Southyeasters homebrew club for many years before opening their own brewery in 2012. Honingklip is a relaxing place to sip on a taster tray of Belgian-inspired brews while the kids – whether they’re the human or canine variety – play on the lawns or snuggle next to the replace. It’s a lovely spot for a lazy lunch – the mussels come in ai, Spanish or traditional Belgian varieties. Try them with a taster tray and challenge yourself to nd the best pairing. If you’re heading back to Cape Town from here, there are two routes to choose from. You could head north and make quick stops at Houw Hoek and Peregrine farm stalls to cast your vote in the Great Overberg Pie Debate. Or if time is on your side, head instead for the coast. e ocean road past Betty’s Bay and Hangklip must be one of the prettiest drives in South Africa. All it needs is an ocean-facing brewery with a cosy little taproom and the route would be complete. If you feel like getting out of the taproom and into nature, there are plenty of ways to work off all those taster trays. Hikes abound in the Greyton Nature Reserve, from two-hour wanders to epic multiday treks. If you’re after something a little more adrenaline-pumping, sign up to soar above the treetops in theHottentots HollandNature Reserve, near Grabouw. The half-day canopy tour sees you ziplining through the mountains and inching along a suspension bridge crossing a chasm. And if that doesn’t deserve a beer afterwards, we don’t know what does!! THE OVERBERG OUTDOORS 40 | Spring 2018 | ontapmag.co.za