I didn’t know whether to write this with my outdated information and post it just before my forthcoming visit to Richmond Hill, or to wait until I’d revisited and write about it later with up-to-date deets and photos. I have decided on the former, so excuse any old info or archaic images. It has been two years since I last had a beer at  Richmond Hill Brewing Co., but this evening I shall be rectifying that.

Pint of Two Rand Man on nitro? Yes please

Richmond Hill – or specifically owner and brewer Niall Cook – has done wonders for the beer scene in the town formerly known as Port Elizabeth. As well as producing top notch, innovative beers, Niall has been integral in getting a homebrewing community off the ground. The Yeastern Cape Brew Club (definitely a contender for the best named homebrew club in Africa) meets regularly at Richmond Hill, as well as other local venues around Gqeberha, and recently held what looked like an awesome homebrew fest with about 50 different beers to taste.

Alas I missed the fest but will be at Richmond Hill this afternoon to taste some of those aforementioned top notch, innovative ales. The core beers include the award-winning Two Rand Man, an Irish Red Ale named after a local character, the delicious Car Park John, an amber ale named for a different local character, and Twin Fin Kellerbier, also an award-winner. I’m hoping to find Two Rand Man on nitro at the bar when I visit.

I’m also hoping to find a can, or ideally a pint, of Fever Dream, a massively aromatic Black IPA which took the gold medal in the highly-contended IPA category at the 2021 African Beer Cup. Richmond Hill is also known for their limited edition and seasonal beers so I’m excited to see what’s on tap later.

In terms of atmosphere, Richmond Hill is a laid back venue, sort of semi open-air with stretch tents covering the beer garden and much of the taproom. Food-wise, if memory and research serve (both slightly dubious if I’m honest), then Richmond Hill doesn’t serve food but there are a number of eateries in the same precinct that do, and you’re welcome to bring food from surrounding venues in.

I would go so far as to say that Richmond Hill Brewing Co is the very best place to drink beer in PE/Gqeberha and that if you haven’t done so yet, you should soon. Very soon. In fact, why not do it today? I’ll see you there.