Brewmaster Wayne Raath.
Karoo Brew beer is brewed in Montagu, in a microbrewery, by brew master, and former investment banker, Wayne Raath.
After 13 years living in Germany and Luxembourg Wayne returned to his native South Africa with his German partner Katrin Lenhardt and opened the Mystic Tin on Montagu’s main street. Initially a backpackers accommodation, Wayne was looking to add something extra to his operation, so he and Katrin set off on a road trip across South Africa to look for inspiration.
They discovered Nieu Bethesda in the Eastern Cape (Pop 1,000) and came across Andre Cilliers, former economics professor at UCT, who has his own microbrewery there. He taught Wayne everything he knows (about beer) and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Karoo Brew microbrewery produces two kinds of beer; a light honey ale made from Langeburg mountain water and sweetened slightly with wild fynbos honey from the same mountain. He also brews a dark draught, using dark roasted or chocolate barley. Both beers are light and refreshing (the alcoholic content being just under 4%) – ideal for quaffing in his beer garden out the back of his premises, or while people watching at a wooden bench on the stoop.
He has been brewing for about a year and has already held a very successful beer festival. He said he will hold another one on late
Beer taps on a vintage fridge.
October – complete with food and music. He also plans to open a restaurant which will offer a menu which will pair food with his beers. Plans are afoot to launch a dark stout dessert beer which will have a cocoa ingredient. How original is that?
Wayne is passionate about producing beer. It must have something to do with the amount of time he has spent in Europe, the home of decent beer. The locals in Montagu praise and welcome his initiative, it will help raise Montagu’s food and drink status on the foodie trail map.
Oh, and I nearly forgot to say, Karoo Brew beer is tasty, light and very very refreshing.
The Mystic Tin and Karoo Microbrewery, Montagu, Klein Karoo, 023 614 2461, info@themystictin.co.za, www.themystictin.co.za
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