The new beer from the boys at Brewers & Union is Berne. An Amber Lager, Berne would seem to fit in the middle of the range of beers at &UNION. It’s not as fruity and light as Steph. It’s not as dark as the Dark. It’s not as mad-freaking-crazy as the Touro, their 10% alcohol demon-beer from hell, aka Blackhands (because you’re going to end up crawling on the street after a few and will wake up with… you said it). No, Berne is like the middle brother. The flavour has lovely sweet notes, almost like wild honey. It goes down very smoothly, and is actually quite light for its colour. Overall, it’s a pretty damned tasty beer.
The Berne flavour actually reminds me of a Pale Ale (which is big in the States), while the weight is closer to a lager. Brilliant – a more flavorful lager is what we have here, folks. I’m not a big fan of lager. Castle, Windhoek, Zamalek, Heineken, Amstel and all the others really taste like watered down beer. Corona could probably just be relabeled as bottled water. Real beer has more flavour and character. Well, in my book it does. The Unfiltered at &UNION is a good lager. Jack Black is also good, even better if you ask me. I still think the Touro is perhaps the most outrageously flavourful, delicious and impressive beer you can buy. With R125 – though it’s worth it. But then it’s an ale. As far as I know, an amber lager like Berne is made like any lager (bottom-fermented), but the barley malt is toasted, hence the increased flavour, and colour. And increased tendency for me to drink it more often. Even before noon.
Berne is a beer you can drink a lot of, and often. And that makes it a cracker. Well done guys.
www.brewersandunion.com
Yup, this simple, handy chart can be downloaded and printed so you can quickly and easily solve the lunchtime dilemma if you’re near Bree Street. And that’s it. No more sweaty palms come 12 o’clock. No more big arguments in the office. No more long nights lying awake thinking about where to go tomorrow… It’s all solved, right here…
In terms of Cape Town restaurants, Bree Street isn’t short on lunch options. Despite formidable competition, Rotisserie 360 opened up a few weeks ago, pretty much directly across from Jardine Bakery. Ballsy. They’re actually in the space formerly occupied by one-time cool nightspot, Roosevelt, which became several other lame clubs thereafter before finally being converted into this humble pavement takeout spot devoted to our good friend, the chicken. And not just any chicken, the rotisserie kind. I think I heard them play Dead or Alive ‘You Spin Me Right Round’ at Roosevelt once, which would be a good theme song for this place.
Humble is a key word here. Aside from a basic name above the entrance, some lime green paint and a beautiful wallpaper detail by the counter, the place isn’t setting any design worlds on fire. Standard chalkboard proclaims the daily rate for roast chicken (changes based on cost), either free range or ‘normal,’ along with some salad options and the chicken caesar sandwich. A limited menu, so the chicken better be sensational. And it is good. Soft, moist, perfectly cooked with a slightly oily (the right kind of oily) texture. Their chicken caesar comes on simple white bread (not sure if they buy from Jardine across the road, but it’s tasty), and the dressing is tangy. The couscous salad is delicious and the potato salad with yoghurt dressing also.
One gets the slight feeling of mediocrity, standing outside this little hole in the wall with the intimidating and trendy Jardine across the road, the hipster and business crowd out front waiting on their ‘Classic on Rye.’ But Rotisserie 360 has something honest about it, with genuinely friendly counter service and a grace that allows it to be simple yet dignified. I think they’re going to need to expand their menu a little – not everyone wants caesar dressing on their chicken sandwich – and a little more creatively, but I like it. Funny, I used to dance in circles where those chickens are now turning…
Bree Street cnr Bloem. No webby yet.
Who is the Foodie? It doesn’t really matter. Bacon is god. Wine cures anything. If you believe those two facts, then we’re going to get on fine. This means you have discovered the power of food to make life better. This knowledge is imperative to the art of living well.
