Brew Masters of Israel Archives - Israel Wine Tour

Visiting Negev Microbrewery in Southern Israel

Barak Yitzhaki — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 11:21:12 +0000

On a Southern Israel tour of wineries and vineyards, we surprised our returning guests with a visit to Negev Microbrewery located in the Industrial area of Kiriat Gat, steps away from the large Intel fab. Negev Microbrewery has moved into this current location back in 2008.

Negev Brewery – Southern Israel

Negev has been around since 2005, initially as a home microbrewery and it is currently owned by the people of Norman Porter. The brewery produces approximately 12,000 liters a month. This of course is boutique size, as not too far away in Ashqelon, the Coca Cola Company is brewing 38,000 liters of Carlsberg and Tuborg in a day’s work. Negev beer has gotten recognition in the international website Ratebeer.com both in 2012 and 2013 and is currently being sold in over 500 points of sale throughout Israel.

As a boutique, Negev clearly aims to produce high quality craft beers that are naturally carbonated and taste as such. The same cannot be said of the large breweries in Israel that produce Goldstar and Tuborg. The brewery although small prides itself with 8 types of beers, some of which is seasonal, the latest edition of which is a Negev Blazer beer named after the Israeli Men’s magazine and that was brewed inspired by the writers of the publication. The text describing the beer is very much using the same type of humor as the magazine it is named after.

The vistor center welcomes tours and even has a seasonal pub built just outside the brewery. This is a great stop in the late afternoon for a nice tour and tastings led by Yishai Auman the marketing manager of the brewery.

Beer Tastings – Negev Microbrewery

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Visiting Buster’s Cider and Isra-Ale Brewery in the Judean Hills

Barak Yitzhaki — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 12:54:42 +0000

Buster’s Cider is produced in a dry version and a sweeter version which has a lower level of alcohol. The factory is large and spotless and the guests walk around with a branded glass of cider as they tour the facility.

As part of our Judean Hills Microbrewery tour, we were greeted by Denny and Matt on a cold January morning. Denny mentioned that he and Matt arrive to the factory very early each morning as they go back and forth between making a batch of cider at the brewery and the shop they own in Mevaseret, one that deals with wine and beer making.

Denny Neilson knows his way around Alcohol. The producer of IsraAle Beer and Buster’s Cider is currently teaching classes on how to make whisky, Vodka, Beer and Moonshine, to name a few. Classes are in high demand as taxes had been raised on low cost Alcohol in Israel in the past year alone. Israeli favorite – Elite Arak would be a great example of a product Israelis are paying a lot more for in the past year.

The Neilsons own and operate a wine and beer making store in Mevaseret Zion just outside Jerusalem in addition to the brewery. Both are family run operations as Denny enthusiastically explains during the tour of the premises. Denny and his family made Aliya and moved to Israel from California only 10 years ago yet Denny’s stories on the red tape and dealing with Kashroot lead me to believe that they may feel they have been here their whole lives. The stories are full of humor and Denny truly shows a wealth of knowledge on production of Alcohol. The group did get to try Whisky and Brandy made on premises, leaving for the next brewery feeling warm and happy.

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