Ashton ‘hops’ to a new passion
Local resident, Ashton Barske, and his father, Raymond, launched a local brewery after finding inspiration from a reality television show.
REALITY television shows have received waves of criticism since the genre gained worldwide popularity in the 1990s. But one such show sparked a new found passion for local resident, Ashton Barske.
Barske who had been studying accounting found a new lease on life when he watched a reality television show on craft beer almost two years ago. “I was immediately hooked. We started making beer at home with a 60l system and would serve some of our brew to friends and family at braais. They loved it. That was when my dad (Raymond) and I decided to start a craft brewery,” said Barske.
The father and son duo’s plan however, did not come together without a few hiccups. According to the 27-year-old they soon found out that it was an expensive project and that the necessary equipment would not be easy to come by.
“In the end many of our equipment was either made by my dad or we had to have it custom made. We drove all across the country to find a milk pasteurising tank, a fruit juice mixing tank as well as other parts to make our equipment,” explained Barske.
After nearly a year and a half their hard work and determination has enabled the duo to launch the first craft beer company in Durban North. Odyssey Craft Breweries is also one of nine of its kind in KwaZulu-Natal.
“It is amazing to think that all of this started while watching television. Now, we hope to inspire others and get them interested. We are shifting our brewery so that we incorporate projects that will encourage a beer culture. Once you start it becomes addictive,” said Barske.
The passionate young brew master now has a new aspiration and dreams of opening a beer pub where people can enjoy craft beer while watching the brewing process.
