Wise Men Choice Beer

     Ra’fat Houary is behind an exciting craft beer brewery that is one of a kind in Palestine. A few years ago, Ra’fat decided to follow the world revolution in craft beer production. With no local craft beer in Bethlehem, he decided to start brewing beer at home and enhance the flavours with local herbs, spices and fruits. Wise Men Choice developed from a hobby to a side project keeping him busy outside of his day job as a carpenter. Using his carpentry skills, he began assembling his own brewing kit, with a determination to transform beer making in Palestine. What distinguishes Ra’fat’s beer from other brands is that it is fully handmade and carefully produced. His beer is unfiltered and bottle conditioned, as opposed to the commercial types that are carbonated in barrels. Ra’fat explains how you have to be wise in choosing what you drink and this is how the name came about - Wise Men Choice Beer.

     Ra’fat experiments with different flavours depending on the season; pumpkin, ginger, blood orange and sage. While the main ingredients used in the beer are almost entirely imported (barley and hops), Ra’fat’s unique contribution to craft beer making has been the ingenious use of miramiyeh (sage) to produce his Bethlehem IPA. Another great combination is using organic pumpkin from Battir to produce his Pumpkin Ale. During the wheat harvest season, he also produces unmalted wheat beer, which one of his specialities. The sky is the limit as he continues to explore and expand his unique beer collection. Ra’fat hopes to develop his brewery and have a tasting room to host beer enthusiasts and share the passion for good quality produce.

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Other Services: Tour of brewery, tasting sessions .