Craft beer and pub grub in the Midlands

Pubs have been centres of human gathering for centuries. Here’s our selection of five historic pubs in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands that guarantee fine fare, cold brew and great views.

A ny man or woman worth their ale knows that a sports bar and a pub are two completely different things. An undiscerning patron might assume they serve a similar purpose, but whereas a bar doesn’t shy away from loud music and Premier League reruns, a pub shudders at the idea of plasma screens and luminescent lighting. Rather, imagine a fire dancing in the corner of the room, the din of merry conversation and plenty of nooks and crannies in which to plot rebellion… This is what a pub is for.

According to Mike Reardon, online beer evangelist and the Guinness Brewery Ambassador for New England in the USA, the origin of the traditional “public house” began with the Romans conquering Celtic Europe, building roads as they went to make marching easier for their armies. Every 30 km or so, they built a tavern where their soldiers and merchants could find a comfortable bed, a hearty meal and enjoy the pleasant company of fellow travellers.

Over time, these taverns were further influenced by the ale houses of Britain and the traditional Gaelic hostels of Ireland, to create what we imagine a pub to be today.

With its palpable British heritage, it’s no surprise that English country pubs made their way to the Midlands of KZN. No village between Howick and Mooi River is without its local watering hole, where farmers, businessmen and families gather to share news, tell tales and offer advice.

In a time of so much uncertainty, it’s comforting to know that some traditions don’t change. In fact, they date back to ancient Rome!