By creating an account, I agree to the
Terms of service and Privacy policy
Choose your country and language:
Africa
Americas
Asia Pacific
Europe
BBringing the history of beer to life, the South African Breweries’ (SAB) World of Beer is a popular visitor attraction that uses 3D movies, floating holograms and a large screen with surround-sound to tell the tale of this popular brew.
SAB World of Beer offers a 90-minute tour that kicks off with a warm welcome from Charles Glass, the brewmaster who gave the world Castle Lager and the man who laid the foundation for SAB as it is today.
From there, visitors are taken on an entertaining and highly informative history of beer-making, from the earliest known evidence of beer-brewing in Egypt and Mesopotamia to the honky-tonk beer halls of gold-rush era Johannesburg.
You will learn the secrets of African beer-making and taste some traditional sorghum beer, learn how world-renowned brewmaster Josef Groll, living amid the stone streets and arcades of Bohemia, created the world’s first clear, golden beer, experience the atmosphere of a typical township shebeen, walk through the on-site greenhouse and learn about the different plants used to make beer.
From there, trace the actual beer-brewing process, step by step, before finishing your tour in the Tap Room, where you can enjoy 2 cold ones on the house. Of course, if you decide to stay and buy a few more, no one will stop you…
Owned and operated by South African Breweries, the World of Beer is situated near the Market Theatre complex in Johannesburg’s Newtown Cultural Precinct, one of the city's most prominent cultural and entertainment hubs.
Did You Know?
TTravel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
SAB World of Beer
Tel: +27 (0)11 836 4900
How to get here
SAB World of Beer is in the centre of the Newtown Cultural Precinct in downtown Johannesburg, conveniently located on one of the city’s main taxi and bus routes, with self-driving also an option. See the listed website for directions and a map.
Best time to visit
The World of Beer is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm. The last tour starts at 5pm.
Around the area
Some of Johannesburg’s best live music venues are located in Newtown, as is the famous Market Theatre and Gramadoelas restaurant.
Length of stay
The full tour lasts 90 minutes.
What to eat
Light pub-style lunches are available at the World of Beer's Tap Room pub. The Newtown area also has plenty of restaurants to choose from, offering cuisines from fine dining to fast food.
Related links
South Africa on social media
Useful links
Explore
