Mpumalanga Craft BreweriesLong Tom Pass to Kruger — 2026 Guide
From highland brewhouses at 2,100 metres in Dullstroom to forest-edge taprooms on the Long Tom Pass, Mpumalanga\'s craft beer scene marries altitude brewing with safari country hospitality.
Brewing Where the Escarpment Meets the Lowveld
Mpumalanga — "the place where the sun rises" in Siswati — is a province of dramatic contrasts. The Drakensberg Escarpment plunges from misty highlands above 2,000 metres to the subtropical Lowveld bushveld that borders Kruger National Park. It is a landscape tailor-made for adventurous brewing.
The province's craft beer story began in 2001 when Hops Hollow opened on the Long Tom Pass, making it one of South Africa's earliest craft operations outside the Western Cape. Today a handful of dedicated breweries dot the highland route from Dullstroom through Lydenburg to Sabie, each drawing on pure mountain spring water and cold-weather fermentation conditions that European lager brewers would envy.
While the scene is smaller than Gauteng or the Cape, what Mpumalanga lacks in volume it makes up for in character. These are destination breweries — places you drive winding mountain passes to reach, where a pint comes with a panoramic view of forested valleys or a trout dam.
Dullstroom Highlands
South Africa's highest-altitude craft brewery town
Anvil Ale House
Est. 2010Founded by brewer Theo de Beer — who previously honed his skills at Hops Hollow — Anvil Ale House sits at roughly 2,100 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest-altitude breweries in Africa. The 1,000-litre system produces ales brewed with Dullstroom's famously pure spring water.
Signature Beers
Visitor Info
- Open Wed–Sun (check seasonal hours)
- On-site taproom with pub food
- On the R540, central Dullstroom
Why visit: Altitude brewing at its finest. The cold highland climate (Dullstroom regularly sees frost) creates ideal conditions for rich, full-bodied ales with clean fermentation profiles.
Owl & Hare Brewery
DullstroomA newer addition to Dullstroom's growing craft scene, Owl & Hare adds another dimension to the highland beer trail. The brewery focuses on approachable styles that pair with the town's famous trout-fishing culture and mountain lodge atmosphere.
Visitor Info
- On-site tasting available
- Walking distance from Anvil Ale House
Why visit: Combine with Anvil Ale House for a walkable two-brewery crawl in Dullstroom — arguably the most concentrated highland beer experience in South Africa.
Long Tom Pass & Sabie
The scenic heart of Mpumalanga brewing
Hops Hollow Brewery
Est. 2001Mpumalanga's pioneer brewery and one of South Africa's earliest craft beer operations. Hops Hollow has been brewing on the scenic Long Tom Pass since 2001, surrounded by commercial timber plantations and indigenous forest. The pass — named after Long Tom cannons used during the Anglo-Boer War — rises to over 2,100 metres.
Signature Beers
Visitor Info
- Open daily (reduced hours in winter)
- Full restaurant, beer garden with valley views
- On the R37, roughly 25 km from Sabie
Why visit: A true pioneer brewery in a spectacular mountain setting. Hops Hollow trained several brewers who went on to start their own operations, including Anvil Ale House founder Theo de Beer.
Sabie Brewing Company
SabieBased in the picturesque forestry town of Sabie — gateway to the Panorama Route — this brewing operation taps into the region's pristine water sources and strong tourism traffic. Sabie's cool mountain climate and abundant water supply make it a natural home for craft beer.
Visitor Info
- Taproom with local food pairings
- Central Sabie, near the waterfalls route
Why visit: Perfect stop on a Panorama Route day trip. Combine with visits to Sabie Falls, Mac-Mac Falls, and God's Window.
Lowveld & White River
Safari country brewing near Kruger
Big Buddies BBQ & Brewing
White RiverCombining American-style BBQ with craft beer, Big Buddies brings Lowveld warmth to the brewing scene. Located in White River — the gateway town for Kruger's southern section — the brewery focuses on bold, food-friendly styles designed to pair with smoked meats and ribs.
Visitor Info
- Brewery taproom + BBQ restaurant
- White River, just off the N4
Why visit: The ideal pre- or post-Kruger stop. Cold craft beer and slow-smoked brisket after a day of game drives is hard to beat.
Note on Perry's Bridge (Hazyview)
Perry's Bridge Trading Post in Hazyview was once listed as a brewery destination, but as of 2026 it no longer brews its own beer on-site. The venue continues to operate as a popular restaurant and pub serving commercial craft beers, but it should not be considered an active brewery.
The Lowveld region around Hazyview, Nelspruit (Mbombela), and White River has significant potential for new craft brewery openings as tourism continues to grow. Watch this space for updates.
Mpumalanga Beer Culture
Highland Brewing Advantage
Mpumalanga's highland breweries enjoy a natural advantage that few South African regions can match. At elevations above 2,000 metres, Dullstroom and the Long Tom Pass experience cool to cold temperatures year-round — ideal for lager fermentation without the energy costs of industrial refrigeration.
The pure mountain spring water, filtered through ancient dolomite rock formations, provides an exceptionally clean brewing base with low mineral content. This soft water profile is particularly suited to delicate lager styles and crisp ales.
Trout, Trees & Beer
The Mpumalanga beer trail is inseparable from the province's other attractions. Dullstroom is South Africa's fly-fishing capital, the Long Tom Pass offers some of the country's most dramatic mountain driving, and Sabie sits at the heart of the world's largest planted forest.
This makes Mpumalanga breweries genuine destination experiences. Unlike urban taprooms, a visit here means mountain air, forest trails, and trout dams alongside your craft beer — a combination that draws visitors back season after season.
Suggested Beer Trail Routes
Highland Brewery Loop
A one-day route covering the escarpment's best breweries.
- 1DullstroomStart with Anvil Ale House + Owl & Hare (morning tasting)
- 2R540 to LydenburgScenic drive through highland grassland (45 min)
- 3Long Tom Pass (R37)Lunch at Hops Hollow Brewery with valley views
- 4SabieAfternoon at Sabie Brewing Company, explore waterfalls
Safari & Beer Weekend
Combine Kruger game drives with craft beer stops.
- 1Day 1: DullstroomArrive, afternoon beer tasting, trout dinner
- 2Day 1–2: Long Tom PassDrive the pass, lunch at Hops Hollow
- 3Day 2: White RiverBig Buddies BBQ & Brewing, overnight
- 4Day 3: Kruger National ParkEarly morning game drive via Numbi or Phabeni Gate
Frequently Asked Questions
How many craft breweries are in Mpumalanga?
Mpumalanga has approximately 5 active craft breweries as of 2026, concentrated in the highland towns of Dullstroom and along the Long Tom Pass, with newer operations emerging in the Lowveld near Sabie and White River.
What is the oldest craft brewery in Mpumalanga?
Hops Hollow Brewery, established in 2001 on the Long Tom Pass between Sabie and Lydenburg, is the oldest craft brewery in Mpumalanga and one of the pioneering craft operations in South Africa.
Is Dullstroom worth visiting for craft beer?
Yes — Dullstroom is the craft beer hub of Mpumalanga. Anvil Ale House brews on-site using local spring water at 2,100m elevation. The town is also famous for trout fishing, making it an ideal beer-and-outdoors weekend destination.
Can you combine a Mpumalanga brewery tour with Kruger National Park?
Absolutely. The highland brewery route (Dullstroom → Long Tom Pass → Sabie) connects naturally with the Panorama Route and Kruger's central gates. Many visitors spend a day on the beer trail before or after a Kruger safari.
Does Perry's Bridge in Hazyview still brew beer?
No. As of 2026, Perry's Bridge Trading Post in Hazyview operates as a restaurant and pub but no longer brews its own beer on-site. They serve commercial craft beers from other SA breweries.