The Tuk Tuk Microbrewery, the newest member of the Leeu Collection, opens on the main road of Franschhoek today, between Leeu House and Le Quartier Français.
The microbrewery (defined as a brewery which produces limited quantities of beer, mainly for consumption on its own premises) is opening with six CBC beers: CBC Lager, CBC Harvest Lager (seasonal) CBC Mandarina Bavaria IPA, CBC Oktoberfest Beer (seasonal), CBC Imperial IPA, CBC Pilsner, CBC Amber Weiss, CBC Krystal Weiss, and CBC Red Weiss (seasonal). Four handcrafted Tuk Tuk branded beers (Lager, Weiss, Dunkel, and Pale Ale), will be launched later this year.
The 250-litre capacity brewery was constructed by Kaspar Schulz, from Bamberg in Germany, with more than 300 years of experience in brew system fabrication. The interior has an industrial feel, with a mix of vaulted ceiling, exposed brick, sandblasted walls, and copper and stainless steel service pipes creating its unique design. The media release informs: ‘The brewery has a fermentation capacity of 4 000 litres with eight 500 litre fermenters which are fully temperature controlled for optimised fermentation control and lagering. It has one temperature controlled open fermenter for atmospheric fermentation and yeast harvesting, as well as one 2 000-litre cooled water tank which contains the brew water, regularly supplied from the Leeu Estates’ mountain spring. Another four 500-litre bright beer tanks will contain the finished product ready to be served on draft or manually filled in kegs‘.
Visitors to Tuk Tuk Microbrewery will be able to view the craft beer being brewed from their inside seats, or can sit outside. Mexican cuisine will be served, the Tuk Tuk ‘Taqueria‘ offering fresh and authentic dishes such as nachos, ceviche, and tacos, which have been designed by Leeu House and Leeu Estates Executive
Chef Oliver Cattermole to pair with the craft beers on offer. One can order a Tasting Menu of 3 brews, or of 6 brews, or a ‘T&T’ tequila and spicy tomatino shot and half-pint of larger.
Dewald Goosen is the Tuk Tuk Brewmaster, who began his brewing career as a home-brewer, followed by being Head Brewer at Woodstock Brewery, and a Senior Brewer at CBC. He said about the new microbrewery: ‘Tuk Tuk is a very nice little brewery on steroids, especially when it comes to technological advances and energy savings. The choice of ingredients is the first step to creating exceptional craft beer. Our bespoke brews are made from carefully selected local and imported hops and malts, specially cultured yeasts and crystal clear spring water, regularly sourced from Leeu Estates’ mountain spring. We will be creating new benchmarks by experimenting with different ingredients and custom batches’.
Tuk Tuk Microbrewery is the third microbrewery to open in Franschoek.
Tuk Tuk Microbrewery, Huguenot Road, Franschhoek. Tel (021) 492-2207. www.tuktukbrew.com Twitter: @TukTukBrew Tuesday-Sunday, 11h00-22h00.
Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whalecottage.com/blog Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here
Very polished – well considered visually – establishment. I don’t drink beer but it certainly looks worth a visit & I’m nuts about Mexican food right now. Who owns the Leeu Connection?
I went there today Sonia, and could not believe how full it was! We were very impressed!