OnTap Magazine

URBAN BREWING COMPANY HOUT BAY Charlie Murray – co-founder What’s been the highlight of the past five years? The highlight has definitely been takingacoupleof amateur brewers from making dishwater to making gold medal beers in a couple of years. Have you had any major brewing flops since 2016? The moment that comes to mind is both a fail, and a blessing. Geoffrey (head brewer) and I were pouring 1200L of our very first batch of beer down the drain. It was not a very nice beer by any standards. As we were doing this terrible act, a German sounding chap walked into the brewery and enquired what we were doing. It turns out that he was a very knowledgeable brewmaster, Jörg Finkeldey, who had just returned from the USA to the Hout Bay home of his wife. He offered to help us build and develop the brewery, which we graciously accepted, and he stayed on as our mentor for the next three years. Who are your fantasy five? Elvis Watt, Elvis Dickie (AKA James and Martin from BrewDog), John Palmer, Vinnie Culurzo and Larry Bell. What’s the one thing you’d like to see the brewery achieve in the next five years? I’d like to see a couple of good new seasonal beers and less lockdowns. Can you describe your perfect beer in exactly five words? Balanced, malty, hoppy, bitter, thirst-quenching. From making dishwater to making gold medal beers Charlie and Geoffrey deep in concentration on Urban's launch day in March 2016 blocked the outlet pipe and I could not drain said tank. Not really worrying too much about "health and safety" I got into the tank in my undies and cleaned the outlet pipe with my toes. There was a fair amount of scalding I can tell you!! (but no subsequent "equipment" failure, you will be pleased to know). Who are your fantasy five? Oh wow! Danie Odendaal, Brad Smith, Rory Lancellas, John Palmer, Rob Cass. What’s the one thing you’d like to see the brewery achieve in the next five years? To become a destination "gastro brewpub". Can you describe your perfect beer in exactly five words? Fresh, hoppy, malty, huge glass. Old Potter's Inn has guest rooms and a restaurant as well as the brewery Trevor's appearance in the stocks is a highlight of the annual Fools & Fans Festival in Greyton ontapmag.co.za | Spring 2021 | 29