Emerald Vale Brewery Private Cuisine: Handicrafts & Choir

The school choir performs traditional songs and dances as part of the afternoon.

A private cultural experience at Emerald Vale Brewery in East London combines handicrafts (basket weaving, beadwork), a brewery tour with tastings of gin and beer, a short nature walk or 4x4 drive to a dam, and a live performance by the local school choir. The visit includes an English-speaking guide, snacks made from vegetables grown on-site, and non-alcoholic or alcoholic drinks depending on age. Travel time from East London is 45 minutes each way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore culture and nature at Emerald Vale

• Try basket weaving and bead figures
• Visit local school choir performance
• Take short hike or 4x4 trip to dam
• Taste iced tea, gin, and beers
• Visit vegetable garden and enjoy snacks

The experience

What makes this different from a standard brewery tour? You're not just tasting. You're making something. The afternoon starts with a choice: try your hand at basket weaving or create a traditional bead figure alongside local craftspeople. These aren't demonstrations. You walk away with a souvenir you made yourself. The Emerald Vale site sits in the Jikeleza Route, known as the "Gateway to the Wild Coast," and the community here (artists, brewers, farmers) is woven into every part of the day.

The brewmaster takes you behind the scenes to see how the beers and iced tea are made, and you taste both on tap. If you're curious about where the snacks come from, you can visit the vegetable garden that supplies them. For the nature part, you choose: walk the signposted trail to the dam (1.1 km) or take a 4x4 vehicle to the same viewpoints if you'd rather not hike. Either way, you're moving through the landscape instead of sitting in one spot.

The highlight most people mention is the school choir visit: local students perform traditional songs and dances. It's not a polished stage show. It's the real thing, and it's why timing matters. The whole experience runs about four and a half hours, including the 45-minute drive from East London. Your guide speaks English and travels with you. The vehicle is air-conditioned. Snacks and drinks (alcoholic for adults 18+, non-alcoholic for younger travelers) are included, though these are typical snacks rather than a full meal.

What’s included

• Handicraft activity (basket weaving or bead-figure making).
• brewery tour and tastings of locally made beer and iced tea.
• vegetable garden visit.
• short nature walk or 4x4 drive to the dam.
• school choir performance with traditional songs and dances.
• snacks and non-alcoholic or alcoholic drinks.
• English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel or accommodation pickup in East London.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by LangLoe -Travel, Events and Consulting

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling as a small group or family and want to be hands-on rather than passive. You're making something, tasting something, and meeting the people who run the place, not just watching from a distance.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly do I make during the handicraft part?

You choose between basket weaving or creating traditional bead figures, working alongside local craftspeople. You keep what you make as a souvenir.

Can I see how the beer is actually made?

Yes, the brewmaster takes you behind the scenes to show the production process, and you taste the beers and iced tea on tap afterward.

Is the nature walk difficult, or can I skip it?

The trail to the dam is 1.1 km on a signposted path, but you can take a 4x4 vehicle to the same viewpoints instead if you prefer not to walk.

When does the school choir perform, and is it guaranteed?

The choir visits during the afternoon as part of the scheduled experience. Timing is important. You need to be back at the brewery when they arrive to catch the performance.

What drinks and food are included?

Typical snacks made from vegetables grown on-site are provided, along with soda and non-alcoholic drinks for all travelers. Alcoholic beverages (beer, gin, iced tea) are included for adults 18 and older.