Drayman's has been brewing craft beer in Pretoria since 1997. It started in a garage in Villieria, using converted copper geysers as a brewhouse, and moved into the Silverton brewery in 2000. Every beer in this collection follows the same idea: brew traditional styles properly, with quality malt, hops and water, and no shortcuts. Read our story to see how it started.
Most of the range is inspired by German and English brewing traditions, with a few experimental beers alongside. Depending on the beer, you can order 1L bottles, 440ml cans or cases of six. Orders over R650 qualify for free Gauteng delivery.
German-style beers
Altstadt Weissbier is a Bavarian-style wheat beer with a rocky white head and faint clove and banana notes from the original Bavarian wheat beer yeast. Berghof German Ale is light gold and clean tasting, with a maltiness that is unmistakably German, at only 4% alcohol. Düssel Altbier is a copper-red Düsseldorf-style ale with a dense white head, hop bitterness from Tettnanger hops and a dry finish. Jolly Monk Rauchbier is a Bamberg-style smoked beer made with smoked malt imported from Bamberg, with a soft but insistent smokiness and a treacle-toffee finish.
English-style beers
Goblin's Bitter is a fruity, malty English ordinary bitter with a spicy hop character from Galena and Styrian Goldings hops. Emperor India Pale Ale is golden amber and bold, with tropical fruit, citrus and pine aromas and a long, dry, resinous finish. Merlin's Mild is a traditional dark English Mild at 3% ABV, brewed as a seasonal mid-summer beer, with luscious malt and soft spicy chocolate.
Flavoured and experimental beers
Cherry Ale is a light red twist on our Berghof, with ripe cherry flavour that still tastes, drinks and pours like a beer. The Krémist is a golden vanilla cream ale brewed with lactose that tastes like dessert. Kaizen Lager is a crisp, pale straw lager with a rice addition, a light body and a short, dry finish.
How to choose
New to craft beer? Berghof is a good place to start: it is light gold, clean and only 4% alcohol. If you like a sweeter, dessert-style beer, try The Krémist or Cherry Ale. For hop lovers, Emperor India Pale Ale and Goblin's Bitter are the ones to pick, and if you are curious about smoke, try Jolly Monk. Can't decide? The Craft Beer Mixed Pack lets you try a mix of our beers in one pack. Whisky drinker as well? See our small batch whisky.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Weissbier, an Altbier and a Rauchbier?
Weissbier is a Bavarian wheat beer, hazy, with clove and banana notes from its yeast. Altbier is a top-fermented German ale in the style of Düsseldorf, copper-red with a dry, balanced finish. Rauchbier is a smoked beer from Bamberg, brewed with smoked malt.
Are Drayman's beers pasteurised?
Our brewing process does not use pasteurisation, which can change delicate flavour profiles. Instead we use ultra-filtration.
Do you deliver, and can I collect?
Yes. We ship craft beer across South Africa, and orders over R650 qualify for free Gauteng delivery. You can also collect for free from the Silverton brewery, and shipping is calculated at checkout.
Which beer should I try first?
Start with Berghof German Ale if you like a light, clean beer, or the Craft Beer Mixed Pack if you would like to try several styles.
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