Come closer!

Story and photos by Louise De Waal

“High up in the Magoebaskloof Mountains”, we are told. Driving down a long grit road and one or two more dirt roads through the dark pine plantations, we question the directions once or twice. Finally, a sign “Zwakala Brewery” – Magoebaskloof’s only micro-brewery.

The words “Come closer!” hang in the air as faint whispers (Zwakala means come closer in SiPedi). The place and its people truly have a seductive quality. Denise and Rob Tooley, the owners of Zwakala together with master brewer Luca Tooley, are warm and gregarious. Even though we are a little early and the place is buzzing with activity, they make time to talk.

We are introduced to Prince, apprentice brewer since the beginning of 2017 and currently already brewing beer completely independent. He takes us through the whole beer brewing process and his enthusiasm is infectious. While he is trained on the job, he is also following a course in entrepreneurship and brewing.

Prince explains that the foundation of their crisp beers lies in the clear and pure mountain water they use that is drawn from the Letaba River. Even though Zwakala is still the new kid on the craft beer block, they already have two awards under their belt. In the first couple of months of trading, their flagship Limpopo Lager won gold at the 2016 South African National Beer Trophy Awards and their Naked Ale silver in 2017.

Mountain Weiss is their third key brew, but they also experiment with some interesting seasonal brews. I particularly loved their Weekend Special, a white IPA infused with lemongrass. Perfectly refreshing for those hot Limpopo days.

Their genuine sustainable and holistic philosophy is impressive. The beer brewing team started out as builders, when the brewery was erected, and now have 20% shares in the business. All the waste products of the brewing process are fed to their livestock that in turn produces manure for their veggie garden. They are experimenting with growing mushrooms on the sterilised waste grain and their focus is more and more on organic and slow food, and the garden to table movement.

It’s the whole package that draws people to Zwakala, to reconnect with friends and family over delicious food and superb beer, and even one or two glasses of their Blueberry gin & tonic on tap.