Say Hallo to Namib Dunes Craft Brewery

Celebrating their first birthday at Hop Heads Craft Beer Festival, Namib Dunes Craft Brewery was all about quick recommendations and great service.

Founded by Du Preez Calitz and André Genis, who do everything from brewing to cleaning bottles, marketing and delivery, the hands-on microbrewery calls Swakopmund home and brews , Irish red, blonde and pale ale as well as coriander, orange peel and chamomile tea-infused, which is a creative deviation from their standard and all natural mixture of water, yeast, hops and malted barley.

“We don’t filter or pasteurise our beer which means that we preserve all the wonderful flavours and aromas of the hops and malts,” says Calitz, who describes Namibia’s craft beer boom as new and exciting.

“It’s the beginning of a new beer culture,” he says. “We are used to some of the best lagers in the world but the craft beer industry gives us the opportunity to experiment with new flavours. Namibians still need to get used to the idea that it is OK for a beer to have strong aromas and flavours and not be as ‘bland’ as a lager or a pilsner.”

Eager to help expand the Namibian beer palate to the over 60 types and categories of beer produced throughout the world with new ones sprouting every day, Calitz feels inspired by the flexibility of craft beer production.

“We can adapt and respond to market trends within a month or two which is not the case with large breweries,” he says. “Craft beer is an art which we are very proud of and passionate about at Namib Dunes Craft Brewery.”

Serving their blonde ale for ‘craft beer beginners’ and the pale ale for seasoned craft beer drinkers at the festival, Calitz recommends you drink the latter with a good Namibian steak or oxtail after praising the outstanding festival and the Namibian brewers in particular.

“I can very well say that our Namibian craft beers are as good as or even better than the craft beers that are being imported from South Africa. Local is lekker!”

Follow Tholch-Brew, Namib Dunes Craft Brewery Swakopmund and Camelthorn Brewing on Facebook for more information on these fantastic local craft beer brands.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com

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