The newest kid on the craft beer block is Tholch, a microbrewery started by three brothers who share a love of good beer. Established back in 2017, members of the public had the chance to taste some of these beers only at weekend markets held in and around Windhoek. However, the company received its distribution licence in September this year - which means that you will start seeing a lot more of Tholch.
It all started when brewer Thomas Mechnig received a home brewing kit as a gift. Even though the beer that he produced with the kit was not all that great it ignited an interest in brewing. After studying books by American and German craft beer gurus, he started experimenting with his own styles. By combining the different brewing methods of the two countries he created beers that were to his liking. After experimenting in the kitchen for a while, he eventually had to move to the garage when he acquired a larger brewing system. The excellent feedback from friends who tried his beer planted the seed to start a microbrewery. He roped in his two brothers, Oliver and Christopher, and Tholch was born. The striking name is a combination of the three brothers’ names. But essentially it is still a oneman brewing operation because both brothers reside in Germany. They assist with marketing, design of logos and support in the technical aspects of brewing.
nathanvc (6963) reviewed IPA from Tholch-Brew 3 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Bottle from a Windhoek bottle shop - many thanks, Anke! Clear golden, small, foamy, white head. Aroma of grapefruit peel, apple, yeast, bread crust, potato, cold fries, unripe pear. Taste has sweetish apple & pear, sourish citrus note over a bread-malty, yeasty base. Grassy hoppy finish, bit herbal, grapefruity, quite dry-yeasty, subtle unripe yellow fruits. Medium body, slick texture, average carbonation. Feels like a hoppy Lager, needs some vitamins!
nathanvc (6963) reviewed Helles from Tholch-Brew 3 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5
Bottle from a Windhoek bottle shop - many thanks to Anke for my first Namibia tick! Hazy ochre, stable, foamy, white head. Aroma of barley, yeast, apple, flowers, mandarin flesh, banana peel. Taste has sweetish apple & banana in a yeasty-bready malt body with spicy-yeasty accents and a citrus note. Grassy hoppy finish, dry-grainy, yeasty and slightly fruity. Medium body, slick texture, average carbonation. Refreshing and true to style, this is a very pleasant surprise!