Guest
blog and images by Desireé Haakonsen
For TravelGround
The 80s was a decade abandoned by taste. McGyver mullets, acid wash jeans, big shoulder pads, and even bigger hair are just a few cringe-worthy trends that make us shudder at old family photos. But, not everything was doom and finger gloves. One of the great tastes that did rise out of the 80s was the craft beer from Mitchell’s Brewery. Now, in 2013, Mitchell’s Brewery celebrates 30 years of craft brewing, making it South Africa’s oldest and largest microbrewery.
Established by Lex Mitchell in 1983, Mitchell’s Brewery began as a small business that only brewed Forester’s Lager and Bosun’s Bitter for distribution and sale in Knysna. Surrounded by indigenous forest and wetlands, Knysna is a nature-lover’s paradise on South Africa’s beautiful Garden Route, and its residents are naturally protective of their environment. Mitchell’s Brewery shares this sentiment and the motivation behind their craft is presented in their slogan: “Beer. Naturally.” Mitchell’s craft beers have no artificial additives, guaranteeing the finest quality brew and purest taste.
Mitchell’s is the kind of place that makes anyone and everyone fall in love with beer. If you’re a beer lover, you’ll taste it in a new shade of amber. If you’ve never had a palate for beer, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that it’s not all about bitters and bloated bellies. The first rule of craft beer is to forget everything you think you know about beer. It’s as simple as forgetting every bad outfit you owned in the 80s.
Being an 80s baby myself, I have much love for that era where people dared to try something different (no matter how stupid they looked). Thanks to the enterprising Lex Mitchell, who sought to bring real, naturally crafted beer to South African shores, there are now over 40 craft breweries across the country. Today, Mitchell’s is South Africa’s second biggest brewery, with branches in Knysna, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, and 8 craft brews to its name.
Mitchell’s is a real family business, and most of the staff has been with the company for more than 20 years. If you pop into the brewery, you’ll be guaranteed a good laugh and great beer as you’re guided through the brewing process and rewarded with a tasting. And if you visit on a Friday afternoon, you’d better linger a little longer so that you can join Mitchell’s notorious crowd of “honourary members” and ambassadors in supporting their favourite local brew.
Let’s raise a glass to 30 years of craft brewing in South Africa!
Brewery Tours:
Brewery tours are offered on weekdays only at 11am, 12:30pm, and 2:30pm. Tours cost R60 per person and include a Brewery Tour and tasting of 4 beers. The Tour and Oyster Special costs R145 per person and includes beer tasting, 6 oysters, and two pints of your favourite beers. Bookings are essential. You’ll find Mitchell’s Brewery at 3 Arend Street, Knysna Industrial, Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa (relocating to Waterfront Drive in December 2013).
Have you visited Mitchell’s Brewery yet?
Author Bio: Desireé Haakonsen is a travel writer who enjoys getting her hands dirty and exploring her beautifully bright and colourful homeland of South Africa. Ask her where she wants to be in 5 years and she’ll tell you: “In well-worn shoes!”
* Be sure to check www.exploreknysna.com for the best accommodation in town when planning your tasting trip to Mitchell’s in Knysna.