Newest microbrewery in 80 years to launch products

THE Namibian brewing industry is about to be injected with new flavour in the form of Namibia’s first ever microbrewery, Camelthorn Brewing Company (Pty) Ltd.

Jörg Finkeldey, a Chemical Engineer with extensive experience in the brewing industry, secured a brewing licence in August of last year from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which is the first to be issued in more than 80 years. Together with local brewmaster Wolfgang Carl, company founder Finkeldey has been working hard to bring his vision of producing high-quality specialty beer to life.Camelthorn’s brewing process is a complex and lengthy one. ‘We take about 5 weeks to prepare our beer from start to finish,’ Finkeldey explained, ‘while others in the industry will sometimes produce their beer in three days.’ The unique brewing process, one-of-a-kind taste and varied brewing ingredients are what will give this beer a competitive edge in the market, he added.The natural brewing process, and the untreated nature of the beer give Camelthorn products a shorter shelf life than most commercially produced beers. ‘The beer has to be kept cold at all times, and should be consumed four to six weeks after it has been bottled,’ Finkeldey said.The brewery’s initial products will be Bavarian style weissbier, made with a recipe formulated by five-time World Beer Cup winner Michael Planck; a flavoured weissbier called ‘Fresh’, a slightly sweeter beer with a lower alcohol content; the traditional Helles lager, which will be available in both filtered and unfiltered form; and an American Red Ale, to be sold later in the year. The beer will be sold in bottles, and in reusable 10 litre kegs, by selected retailers around the country. Customers will also be able to purchase authentic Camelthorn Brewing Company glasses and refrigeration units for the kegs.The brewery currently employs five people, and anticipates the need for more employees in the future, as demand for their products grows.The company aims to have its first batch of beer ready in early August, one year after the brewing licence was awarded. ‘We want to present our first keg to Hage,’ Finkeldey joked, referring to Trade and Industry Minister, Hage Geingob.ndapwa@namibian.com.na