There has been a bit of confusion over the whole Friday Beers thing. On a couple of occasions people have messaged to ask what time I will be at the featured brewery that Friday, and in one case I received a slightly disgruntled DM from a reader/drinker/acquaintance who seemed annoyed I didn’t show up at said brewery after posting. So just to clarify, the Friday Beers are simply suggestions of good places to kick off your well-earned weekend, not an advertisement of where I’ll be kicking off mine on any given week. If that was the case I would probably end up writing about the same five places week after week and would rarely get to feature anywhere outside the Cape.

I have seen the light, and it is in a pint of Shackleton’s Kölsch

And now, to confuse things and contradict everything I just wrote, this week I will be at the featured Friday Beers destination, so if you’re in the area come and say hi. Shackleton Brewing Company – named for Antarctic explore Ernest – opened their Salt River taproom in 2019 and it’s become a popular spot for afternoon beverages, particularly of the Friday variety.

The taproom continues the brewery’s the Antarctic adventure theme, with photographs from recent Antarctic voyages, including one with a can of Shackleton’s Kölsch wedged into the snow – very cool in every sense. Upstairs, a hand-painted map of Shackleton’s route takes pride of place and do check out the ceiling – meant to make you feel like you’re setting out on a long sea voyage. It’s all done without kitsch though, fitting into Shackleton’s simple, classic branding.

The beers too are classics – an Irish red, a pale ale, sometimes a luscious oatmeal stout and of course the flagship Kölsch. Shackleton is also one of the only breweries in South Africa that  serves cask ales, but sadly not on a permanent basis – you’ll have to keep an eye on their social media channels to find out when next a cask will be tapped.

Until then, you can join the regulars and the local after-work crowd for several pints of crisp and quaffable Kölsch in the atmopheric taproom, or out in the sun next to Steve’s notorious bush…(and you’ll have to find me at the brewery later to explain that one…)

Like the sound of Shackleton but can’t get to the brewery? You can get their beers delivered to your door – and you’ll even be rewarded for doing so! Check out this post on craft beer loyalty schemes in South Africa, inlcuding Shackles Loyalty Club.