The heading of this article is actually an understatement as Ink In My Drink is one of my favorite beers of all time. Despite this lager being a rich, dark...
Coastal Cult Hazy Pale Ale is a regular brew from RHBC but with a difference. Firstly, it is part of their hops series which means that each time they brew...
Originally brewed by farmers and their wives to quench the thirst of field workers during the hot months of the harvesting season, this beer is extremely refreshing. Saison beers originate...
As you are no doubt aware IPA is an acronym for India Pale Ale. Well RHBC have just launched their Fever Dream Black IPA and it is far from pale....
Richmond Hill Brewing company is celebrating after winning one Gold and two Silver medals at the 2021 African Beer Cup. The African Beer Cup is the continent’s largest beer competition...
Brewhogs is located off Dytchley Road, Kyalami and they brew six different types of beer and distil a single malt Whiskey too. Master Brewer at Brewhogs, Danie Odendaal, says; “We...
Rock Hopper Hard Seltzer is a new low calorie, low carb, gluten-free alcoholic refreshment recently launched by da Rocca. Hard Seltzers are not well known in South Africa but they...
Durban Poison Cannabis Lager. What a great name for a great beer. These four words, on closer inspection, tell you all you need to know about this very tasty brew,...
Noon Gun Brewery, in Muizenberg, Cape Town, has got fans raving about its craft beers, which is not an easy feat considering the explosion of craft breweries in both South...
Thought to help with digestion, improve gut balance and provide probiotics, who needs another excuse to drink kombucha? Brew Kombucha, which is based in Cape Town, has since become one...
Richmond Hill Brewing Company, (locally known as RHBC) is located in Alabaster Street, in the fashionable Baakens River Valley precinct of Port Elizabeth. Not only does this brewery produce some...
Volfas Engelman is an alcoholic beverages manufacturer in Kaunas, Lithuania. The brewery was established in the 19th century and is named after its two founders. Jager Brewery Jager Brewery is...
Set in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, the Lion’s River Craft Brewery and Beer Garden has been creating some of the most in-demand craft beers since their first bottle...
Jack Black Brewing Company, Cape Town Based in the heart of Diep River in Cape Town, The Jack Black Brewing Company is dedicated to brewing beers. Their state-of-the-art craft brewery...
Boston Breweries, Cape Town Having been in business for almost 20 years, Boston Breweries in Cape Town has been popular since they first opened their doors. Their first lager was...
Richmond Hill Brewing Company, Car Park John Beer Based in the heart of the fashionable Baakens Valley in Port Elizabeth, the Richmond Hill Brewing Company has established itself as one...
Once the beer has left the brewery and is on its way to local bars or bottle stores, there are a number of ways keep that beer fresh and at...
Celebrating South Africa’s craft brewing heritage On September 24, we, at Home Food and Travel, celebrated Heritage Day with a beer tasting. This has become an annual event and craft...
Thirsty Traveler is all about South African gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and more.
We love to travel and we love to sample the wares of the craft brewer, distiller and wine maker.
In the mid 1900’s, governments worldwide almost killed off the art of distilling and brewing. The thousands of micro, boutique or craft distilleries and breweries that had been handed down from father to son were banned and destroyed and large corporations obtained the sole rights to distill mediocre, mass produced, but well-marketed spirits.
Craft gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other spirits.
Thankfully laws around the world are being liberalised and craftsmen, with their passion for perfection and their desire to explore are producing amazing gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other spirits.
Winemaking in South Africa had a terrible reputation until the 1980’s when many farmers decided to establish their own brands and produce their own wine. Competition, inspiration and a hard work ensure that today South African wines are some of the best in the world.
For those of you, who enjoy something special and want to pair their spirits, brew or wine with their food, mood and the atmosphere, there are new delightful, well-crafted and very special products appearing on shelves and more importantly, in on-line stores.
At the Thirsty Traveler, we take our food, brews, wine and spirits very seriously and, at times, light-heartedly too. Thus, in the true spirit of investigative journalism, we embarked on some very careful research into South Africa’s wines, brews and spirits.
Tastings
We frequently conduct tastings of gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other well crafted spirits.
Each Heritage Day we invite micro brewers from around the country to send us their wares for a tasting. We and the brewers have had great success with these tastings in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
We also conduct regular tastings of wines, gins and other spirits.
Read on to find out more about what South Africa has to offer those with discerning taste buds.
My mother was a Cordon Bleu chef and insisted that we eat with a near Victorian array of cutlery and crockery every night. As a young adult, I learned to appreciate the dedication and art of good cooking and as I came of age, I realised how a glass of wine and even more so, good conversation, could make a meal complete.
As a teenager our family took a holiday to the Winelands and I was in awe of the beauty, heritage and sophistication of South Africa’s wine industry. Although not yet 18 I started to collect wines.
Lagers and pilsners where the beer universe for Generation X South Africans. When I traveled through Europe in the ‘90s I was disgusted by warm English beer, revolted by Irish stouts and Belgian sours where the worst thing that my delicate palate had ever encountered.
However, like Copernicus my view has expanded. I have discovered that the beer universe does not rotate around a cold lager. In fact I have since discovered that the beer universe is literally limitless. My Dark Age view on beer progressed into a Renaissance of awaking and then hyper-drived to an unbridled voyage of discovery.
As a student in the ‘90s I thought I was rather chic because I drank J&B rather than Bells and even sampled Campari. It was not until I visited the Oban Distillery in Scotland that I learned about Single Malt Scotch and I entered a whole new world of discovery.
When I first visited the New World I discovered Bourbon and that it too has a proud heritage. On a visit to Cuba I learned that Rum was not just a compliment to Coke, and that, after 12 years of aging, is as sublime as a Scotch.
Today I remain in awe of the craftsman who, with passion, skill and experience, produce such nuanced flavours and aromas in wine, beer and spirts. This website is about my journey of discovery and also of return visits to old favorites.
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© 2021 THIRSTY TRAVELER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED