It might be one of the smallest micro-breweries in South Africa, but Mark and Clare Riley have been brewing up a storm since starting their own-style craft beers and ales on the outskirts of Grahamstown.
The couple’s tenacity after returning from South Korea in 2015 has seen Featherstone Brewery firmly placed on the map by bringing high-quality brews to the National Arts Festival.
Approached by festival chief executive Tony Lankester to craft a unique tipple for beer lovers and festival-goers alike, Featherstone’s National Arts Festival Ale has been a welcome favourite at the fest after being launched last year.
Solely run by the Rileys, with the help of a local resident, Featherstone Brewery had long been a dream for master brewer Mark, who along with Clare went off to South Korea to teach before delving into the ever-popular world of craft beer-making.
“Mark has always been a keen brewer – some friends of ours said he should do this as a profession and not just as a hobby and we kind of took it from there,” Clare said, while setting up Featherstone Brewery at the Shakespeare Tavern at the Monument.
They brew up to 450 litres of craft beer, in various styles.
“What makes us really unique is that we are one of the smallest micro-breweries in the country, because we brew beer in very small batches. It helps to maintain quality,” Mark said.
This year will be the second time Featherstone Brewery will offer beer tastings, where Mark will not only talk you through the ingredients and brewing process of each beer, but will also use aromas of key ingredients to help tasters pick out and get a true feel for what they are tasting.
“This is our busiest time and I suspect we will be sold out or close to sold out,” Mark said.
Featherstone’s range of ales and beers are only available in Grahamstown, Port Alfred, Kenton-on-Sea “and one pub in Hogsback”.
●mFor your chance to sample some of their range, there will be tastings today and July 4 and 6 at 3.30pm.