OnTap Magazine

Swakopmund Brewing Company is the largest and best-known brewery in town, but it isn’t the only craft brewery in Swakop. Nearby is Namib Dunes, a distribution set up in a small industrial park on the outskirts of town. Owner Andre Genis takes time out from brew day to chat about Namibian craft, which has more of a pedigree than you might expect. “Of course, Namibia’s first craft brewery was Camelthorn, which launched way back in 2008,” he says. The brewery has since closed, with the brand being bought by Namibia Breweries, the equipment moving to Noon Gun Brewery in Cape Town and the founder, brewmaster Jörg Finkeldey, now working at Thirsty Fox Brewery in Mauritius. Andre bucks the local trend a little, his range including an IPA, Belgian style witbier and an Irish red ale alongside the expected Weissbier and a Vienna lager. His licence covers only manufacturing so there’s no taproom. His beers are found in local restaurants, a couple of liquor stores and one or two venues as far away as Windhoek. THE LOCAL SCENE A dozen house beers on tap at Roof of Africa in Windhoek Brew day at Roof of Africa Namib Dunes is a production only brewery, also in Swakop Tasting the range at Swakopmund Brewing Co. Shiny copper kettles and stainless steel tanks at Swakopund Brewing Co. It is to Windhoek I’m heading next, my first port of call being a stalwart of the local beer scene and a must for anyone looking for a pint in the Namibian capital. Joe’s Beer House is better known for its array of mainstream lagers than for having a solid craft range, although that has certainly changed in the six years since I was last there. There are a few local microbrews, a couple of craft beers from South Africa and even a few European imports alongside Namibia’s favourites – Hansa, Tafel and of course, the capital’s namesake lager. Joe’s is really known for its eclectic décor though – toilet seats for bar stools, rusty old wagon wheels on the walls, animal horns wearing hats, and the sort of pithy signs that can keep trigger happy Instagrammers happy for days. I take the requisite photos, grab a quick pint and move on to my second destination brewery of the trip. Like Swakopmund Brewing Company, Roof of Africa has a restaurant and hotel on site, although it does lack the dramatic beachfront location of its coastal cousin. It is brew day when I arrive and it is hot. Luckily brewer Alexander Arnold – better known as Axi – takes a moment to step away from the kettle to grab me a beer. “I don’t believe in taster trays,” he tells me, pouring me a half pint of their Roof Draught, a crisp, malt-forward lager. I look at the taps and a glad that I’m spending the night here – there are 12 beers in the range. I’m hoping he’s not expecting me to manage a half pint of each, especially before dinner. LAGER INWINDHOEK WORLD OF BEER ontapmag.co.za | Autumn 2024 | 37