Drifter Brewing Company will launch a limited edition batch of beers on November 28 that have been aging on the ocean floor in Cape Town for one year. This will be the first in a series of underwater beers brewed by owner, Nick Bush. The concept originated while Nick scuba dived an old shipwreck in Smitswinkel Bay off of Cape Point. Due to the darkness and cold temperatures, the Cape Peninsula waters are ideal for this unique fermentation process.
Started in early 2015, Drifter is a nautical-themed brewery based in Woodstock. The name comes from a 43-foot sailing yacht that Nick’s parents built from scratch in their Hout Bay garden during the late ‘70s. Once finished, they sailed around the world on Drifter for almost ten years. After returning to Cape Town and settling down to have children, Nick’s parents decided to sell the boat in 1982. In March 2017, she drifted into Nick’s life by chance and circumstance and is once again owned by the family – 35 years later.
Drifter symbolizes adventure, creativity and craftsmanship, which is what Nick and the team strive for in their beers and at the brewery in Woodstock. This underwater beer is a perfect example of them pushing the boundaries and experimenting with natural surroundings. The beer is a classic Belgian-style tripel with hints of banana and citrus. It can be enjoyed immediately or aged for longer.
There are only a limited number of bottles, so join the waiting list to make sure you get one!
