Tuk Tuk Microbrewery first to serve Mexican food in Franschhoek!

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Last Friday my friend Adele and I went to Franschhoek to try out the new Tuk Tuk Microbrewery, for which we had received a media release on its opening day two weeks ago. We visited eight days after the opening and were astounded at the brewery and eating establishment being so busy. It is clearly the new go-to place in Franschhoek, and not just amongst locals.

The microbrewery is on the corner of main road and Berg Street, in a building which once was a jewelry outlet. It forms part of the Leeu Collection, and is located in-between Leeu House and Le Quartier Français. Owner Mr Analjit Singh chose the Tuk Tuk name, India’s most common transportation mode, and the idea behind the name is that it would transport visitors to the microbrewery to the countries Mr Singh has travelled in, being Germany, India, and Mexico.

Manager Tawanda (formerly from Café des Arts, but we decided to not hold that against him) was courteous, found us a table outside, initially sharing with a Canadian tourist couple (who were astounded at paying only $3 for a beer), and thereafter with a Dutch family. The table legs are made of metal tubing, and are bolted to the ground, with trendy metal Bistro chairs. The metal table top has a yellow box holder for quality Sola cutlery wrapped in quality gauze paper serviettes. A wooden spoon inside the box is numbered, to show the table number. There are Oryx salt and pepper grinders. The inside and outside walls are painted a charcoal grey, and I was fascinated by the unusual paint effect on the columns inside the brewery, which I was told was done by a specialist from India, who also created paintings of Tuk Tuks with the same colors of green, orange, blue, and yellow/gold. The bathrooms are worthy of a special mention, the basins made of brass, picking up the brass brewing tanks, and the cleverest tap handles, looking like draught beer taps. Beverley Boswell was the interior decorator, having also done the decor for Leeu House.

A number of beverage options are available, including a Tasting Menu of Beers, three 100 ml glasses costing R35, and five costing R55. The beers are also available in 500ml and 330ml sizes. Currently they are serving CBC beers only, but will be brewing their own unique beers in future under the watchful eye of their new Brewmaster Dewald Goosen. Four handcrafted Tuk Tuk branded beers (Lager, Weiss, Dunkel, and Pale Ale) will be launched later this year. They offer:

# Pilsner, with a strong hop aroma and bitter finish

# Lager, crisp, hoppy, and generous craft beer

# Krystal Weiss, a clear-filtered Weissbier, with a twist of lemon and grapefruit.

# Amber Weiss, a German-style fruity and aromatic beer

# Imperial IPA, with strong hop aroma and bitter finish.

The menu contains nine dishes, and it is a shame that the beer pairings are not mentioned on it, as it took the manager quite some time to run through each dish and then to recommend and justify each pairing:

# Game fish (yellowtail) ceviche, sour cream, and tortilla chips (R95), best paired with Krystal Weiss or Amber Weiss

# Cheese nachos, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream (R90), paired with Pilsner, it was recommended

# Plain nachos, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream (R90), paired with Pilsener

# Cheese quesadilla, smoked chicken, tomato cream cheese, and guacamole (R65), paired with Lager and Impérial IPA

# Spiced Tuna Taco, pico de gallo, guacamole, and cabbage (R80), paired with Krystal Weiss

# Crispy chicken taco, sweet corn hash, pico de gallo, and buttermilk mayo (R80), paired with Amber Weiss and Pilsener

#. Slow-cooked beef taco, braised onions, gem lettuce, and smoked onion aioli (R85), paired with Lager

# Spicy sweet corn nuggets, and chipotle chili dip (R50), paired with Amber Weiss and Lager

# Chili and lime chicken wings (R80), paired with Amber Weiss and Lager.

Desserts can be ordered too, and all cost R75. We loved the spiced churros dusted with sugar and the Nyangbo dark chocolate and chili dipping sauce. Other options are muscovado, vanilla and chili crème brûlée served with tequila-poached strawberries; and a selection of ice creams, flavours being chocolate, vanilla, mango, and beer.

Other beverage options are T & T, being a Tequila, a spicy tomato shot, and a half pint of CBC Lager (R100); Mullineux Kloof Street Chenin Blanc (R40 per glass/R150); Mullineux Kloof Street Swartland Range (R50/R180); and Aurelia Brut (R80/R350).

Executive Chef Oliver Cattermole, also responsible for Leeu House and Leeu Estates (opening in June), was rushed off his feet with the busy Brewery and Eatery, yet made time to come and say hello quickly. We praised the beautiful plating of the dishes. Given how busy the Brewery and Eatery were, and how new it was, the service speed was commendable,