My very first stop on this trip: The Franschhoek Beer Company, tucked into the famous Franschhoek Valley (yes, the wine region). You come for vineyards… and suddenly you’re talking hops, malt, and small-batch brewing.
Overview
- Why The Franschhoek Beer Company is a must-visit in Franschhoek
- My “arrived a day early” travel classic
- Brewery tour highlights: water source, small-batch tanks, bottling
- Small Batch beers: why you should always ask what’s on
- The core range: Three Oaks, Weissbier No.5, La Saison, Liberty, The Stout
- Beyond beer: seltzer, cider, lemonade
- Franschhoek village stop: Frank’s Corner Bar & Grill
- Full tasting notes from the lunch table
- Tips for your own visit in the Cape Winelands
- Final thoughts (and why I’d go back)
Why The Franschhoek Beer Company belongs on your Cape Winelands list
Franschhoek is famous for wine, art, and cuisine — but the valley also has a seriously enjoyable alternative for anyone who loves a fresh pint: The Franschhoek Beer Company. Their own positioning is pretty straightforward: handcrafted beer, unpasteurised and naturally carbonated — and that philosophy shows in the glass.
They brew a core lineup including Three Oaks, Weissbier No.5, La Saison, Liberty, The Stout, plus a rotating Small Batch range . The brewery is located on the R45, about 4 km before Franschhoek village, which makes it an easy stop when you’re exploring the valley.
Yes, I showed up a day early
Let’s get the embarrassing part out of the way: I mixed up my dates and arrived one day earlier than Erika expected. A true classic when traveling.
Luckily, the welcome was warm, the vibe was relaxed, and after a quick chat, René (brewmaster in charge) took over and guided me through the brewery.
A brewery tour that starts with the most important ingredient: water
Before we even talked hops, we talked water.
René showed me their water source: a spring drilled 90 meters deep. That depth matters, because it protects the water from the typical agricultural “noise” in a wine region — fertilisers, pesticides, and everything else you don’t want impacting your brewing liquor. The takeaway: clean, stable, high-quality brewing water — the kind of foundation that makes great beer taste effortless.
Small-batch brewing, the real way
Inside the brewhouse, it’s all stainless steel, malt dust, and that “something good is happening” smell.
Production runs in small batches (around 1,200 litres per SKU in their setup), and what I loved most: this is not a “press buttons and watch screens” kind of place. It feels hands-on and craft-driven — manual processes, attention to detail, and a team that actually touches the work.
Even the packaging side keeps the micro-brewery spirit alive. Bottling is done on site, and yes: it’s the kind of operation where “craft” still means people doing the job, not just machines doing it for them.
The beers: core range + Small Batch surprises
Their website lists the main range and makes it easy to spot what they consider the heroes: Three Oaks, Weissbier No.5, La Saison, Liberty, The Stout, plus Small Batch.
Here’s the quick “what to expect” overview — and then we’ll get into my tasting notes from lunch.
Three Oaks (flagship lager): The flagship for a reason. Crisp, clean, refreshing — and not boring. The official description leans into its easy-drinking nature , but in my glass it had a nice bitterness, a round mouthfeel, and a citrusy lift that screamed terrace lunch beer.
Weissbier No.5: This one deserves attention. (More below, because… wow.)
La Saison: Bright, sunny, and made for afternoons.
Liberty (American Pale Ale): A gateway beer for anyone new to hops — approachable, balanced, and more “easy-going pale ale” than “aggressive hop bomb.”
The Stout: Dark, creamy, comforting. Another beer that was exactly what I hoped for.
Small Batch: Always ask what’s on. Always. Their rotating range is part of the fun.
Not just beer: seltzer, cider, lemonade
One thing I appreciate: Franschhoek Beer Co doesn’t only brew beer. They also do seltzers and lemonades, which fits the Cape Winelands crowd perfectly — especially when someone in your group wants something lighter or simply different. Tripadvisor also mentions the broader offering (beers, seltzers, lemonades) as part of the on-site experience.
Taproom check
During my visit, the restaurant/taproom was closed due to renovation and changes — so we wrapped up the tour, said goodbye, and headed into Franschhoek village for lunch and a proper tasting session.
If you’re planning your own visit: check their current hours and taproom status on their official sites, e.g. Facebook or Instagram, before you go.
Lunch stop: Frank’s Corner Bar & Grill in Franschhoek village
If you want an easy, satisfying Franschhoek meal with local vibes, Frank’s Corner Bar & Grill is a great shout. They position themselves as an easy-dining spot with house-brewed beers, homemade seltzers, and Franschhoek wines — and that “house-brewed beers” part is exactly why we went.
Most important move: order the tasting tray. Even their Facebook presence hints at that tasting-friendly approach, linking the lineup back to their sister company, The Franschhoek Beer Co.
Tasting notes: every SKU at the table
Here’s what we tasted and how they landed for me:
Weissbier No.5 — 10/10, no joke
Stunning. There are countless wheat beers on the market, from big players and tiny independents — but this one hit a level I honestly didn’t expect in a wine valley.
Creamy texture, bold banana character (as it should be), but never artificial or overpowered. The kind of Weissbier that could make Bavarians raise an eyebrow. If you’re a wheat beer fan, do not skip this .
La Saison — light, citrusy, sunshine in a glass
A crisp, crowd-pleasing saison with a citrus edge. Perfect if you’re not chasing hop intensity and just want something refreshing and “clean-fun” .
Liberty (APA) — approachable, balanced, “friendly hops”
Liberty is their American Pale Ale and it’s a solid entry point into the style — balanced, slightly sweet-leaning, and not trying to melt your palate with bitterness .
Small Batch IPA — the surprise hit
At our visit, the Small Batch was an IPA. I sadly forgot the exact ABV the waiter told me, but taste-wise it felt like it was flirting with “double IPA energy” in the best way: strong hop presence, citrus, malt backbone, and then this unexpected nutty / hazelnut vibe on the finish.
René, if you’re reading this: awesome job.
The Stout — creamy, sweet, caramel comfort
A classic done right: creamy, strong, sweet, and rounded with caramel notes. If you’re in the mood for the darker side, this is the pick .
What to eat at Frank’s Corner (and why I want to come back)
Coco had an incredibly tasty roasted chicken leg with coleslaw — and she’s normally not a coleslaw person. That says everything.
I went for a New Orleans-style jambalaya that basically played Dixie music in my head with every spoon. If I return soon, I’ll need to “complete the review” by trying the gumbo as well.
Tips for your visit
- Combine both spots: brewery first (if open), then Franschhoek village for lunch + tasting tray.
- Ask about Small Batch: rotating beers are where craft breweries often shine brightest.
- Bring a non-beer friend: seltzers/lemonades help keep everyone happy.
- Check opening times and payment info: their contact page notes opening days and that they’re cashless.
Final thoughts
The Franschhoek Beer Company is exactly what I want from a craft brewery visit: small-batch mindset, real people behind the product, and a lineup that goes from “easy terrace lager” to “surprisingly world-class Weissbier.”
If you’re exploring the Cape Winelands and want a break from wine (or just want to add a beer chapter to your day), this is a strong recommendation.
And if you’re a brand owner, importer, distributor — or you’re planning a high-end private event — experiences like these are also a reminder of what great hospitality feels like when it’s done with care. That’s the standard I aim for in my own tastings and event bartending work.
THE FRANSCHHOEK BEER COMPANY
Brewery & Restaurant
R45, 4km before Franschhoek Village,
Franschhoek, Cape Town, 7690
