Anvil Ale House

About Anvil Ale House

Anvil Ale brewery and pub lies on the edge of Dullstroom if you enter it from the Lydenburg side. If you happen to enter from the Belfast side, make sure you head across town to savour the local beer, where Theo de Beer and his wife serve up drafts, local fare and numerous generous helpings of boozy cake.

Anvil House opened in April 2010 after three years' of building and alterations to prepare the building Theo handpicked as the site for his new brewery. Having already cut his teeth at Hops Hollow brewery on the Long Tom Pass, Dullstroom is lucky to have Theo at all since his original intention was to immigrate to New Zealand. It was only due to the recent financial slump, that Theo was forced to reconsider his decision.

The 1000 litre brewery produces a Blonde Ale, a Pale Ale and a Baltic Porter, which Theo calls his 'girlie ale' (women prefer it). By comparison the Blonde Ale tastes most like a lager, and the Pale Ale leaves a more fruity, malty taste in the mouth with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Most of the food is locally sourced (like the German sausage from Nelspruit), and the relishes, mustard and desserts are all made on the premises. You might want to sample either the Boozy cake or chocolate rum cake – both of which have received generous lashings of alcohol during the production process. There is a daily food menu that includes dishes such as smoked trout and scrambled egg, wholesome vege soup, trout quiche and other delights.