Camelthorn brews hope with new beer

Namibia Breweries Limited’s (NBL) acquisition of the local micro-brewing firm Camelthorn Brewing Company is yielding results with the introduction of a new product on the market, the Camelthorn Weizen, the first locally brewed premium weissbeer.
The new premium weissbeer is on exhibition at the current Tourism Expo and available in 330ml bottle retailing at a recommended price of N$12.50.
Thomas Hochreiter of Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) said “ We are pleased to present out customers with Camelthorn Weizen, as a perfect addition to the NBL stable of quality beer brands.”
Hochreiter said that local barley was being used for the brewing of the weissbeer. He added, “the NBL barley trials have thus far delivered sufficient quantities of Namibian grown barley to allow NBL to use it to brew small batches.”

Although still adhering to strict Reinheitsgebot brewing standards, the first locally brewed weissbeer is different from other breweries products as it is not a lager although it contains malt.
Sven Thiem Managing Directore of the Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies said at the event this might be another product that might follow suite into other markets while nurturing local production, contributing to job creation and alleviation of poverty.
 “We are proud of Camelthorn and hope that people will embrace a local beer,” Thieme said.
SABMiller recently awarded a brewing license in the country, for the building of a SABMiller brewery 70 kilometres north of Windhoek which will see a growth competition in the local market.