Hop On Over to Abu Dhabi’s Brew-tastic New Venture!
Imagine the perfect blend of sun-kissed deserts and frosty mugs of beer—it’s not just a mirage! Abu Dhabi is kicking off something absolutely brew-tiful this month, with the grand opening of its very first legal commercial beer brewery. That’s right, folks; the parched sands are now home to hops, thanks to Craft by Side Hustle, an establishment that has managed to tap into the Abu Dhabi brewery scene in a historic pour!
A Frothy Endeavor Brews Up Success
Craft by Side Hustle isn’t merely a watering hole; it’s a revolution in a pint glass. Abu Dhabi has graciously bestowed upon this little gem a license to concoct and serve their own amber miracles, crafted right on the shiny, sparkly premises. So while you could already snag their international brews at your local UAE booze boutique, they’re now firing up the kettles to bring those hops home. However, in a sudsy twist, all packaged brews must still be crafted beyond the seas, in line with the alcohol fermentation regulations of the region.
Sipping on History
Flashback to 2021, when Abu Dhabi’s rulebook got a tipsy touch-up, suddenly allowing licensees to ferment fun fluids for on-site sipping. It’s the latest jig in the Emirates’ tango towards a more diverse, less oil-obsessed economy. The move is as refreshing as a pale ale on a scorcher of a day, loosening socially conservative cords and inviting the world to dance along.
Side Hustle’s Flavorful Fusions
Priced at a cool 45 dirhams a pop, Side Hustle’s beers are set to wash down feasts of southern Louisiana noms, offering a bayou buffet of jambalaya and shrimp and grits that’ll make your taste buds do the jitterbug. The gastronomic gala had a soft launch, but the hype train is chugging towards a grand opening set for a time when February breezes in.
The Genesis of Balmaghie Beverage Group Inc.
Now, pour yourself into the shoes of Chad McGehee and his beer-thirsty comrades, who in 2018 sparked the idea for Balmaghie Beverage Group Inc. They lamented over lackluster libations in the UAE, where a handful of import impresarios grip the beery baton, making it tough for pint-sized players to break into the field. From these suds-soaked dreams, Side Hustle was born.
Brewing up a storm stateside, Side Hustle spiced up life for the expat swarm in the Gulf, edging into the UAE craft beer market carrying pale ales, stouts, and lagers all designed to delight. From 2019, their beers bubbled onto the UAE scene, soon followed by their gin and whiskey siblings, all aiming to tip the sales scales to a frothy $500,000. McGehee, our beer visionary and IBM expat from southern Louisiana, quips, “We started this company so that we can drink better here.” If that’s not putting your money where your mouth is, then I’m a teetotaler!
Meet the Masters Behind the Malt
Side Hustle represents more than just tantalizing tipples; they’ve brewed a 250-seat hotspot, with local investors Peter Samaha, Nadim Selbak, and Adam Davis keeping things bubbly. The brand’s identity is inseparably fused with the UAE swagger—just glance at their camel mascot strutting its stuff on the international cans and bottles.
Serving Up a Slice of Home
Embracing an exuberant expat life, with corks from their Hustle Fest craft beer shindigs still bobbing around, Side Hustle keeps pouring pints of home. And amidst fluctuating regulations, they’ve carved out a space where free-spirited fermentations flow freely, far from the by-the-book hotels of old Dubai.
This brewing breakthrough is foamy gold for the Gulf, where alcohol laws often play a game of “now you see it, now you don’t.” As the tourism and economy ticker ticks upwards, so does the hankering for a homey hangout, making concessions a conversational centerpiece, whether you’re sipping on sand or within the luxury walls of an up-and-coming resort.
What’s more, Abu Dhabi’s loosening its Islam-infused law laces, from fertility freedoms to tossing the dice at casinos. While Dubai dazzles with glitz, neighboring emirates lead in law liberation, as Ras Al Khaimah flirts with gambling—and Abu Dhabi, of course, bubbles up with brewing bravado.
The Craft Phenomenon in the Middle East
It’s a craft cascade, really. Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt—they’ve all dipped their toes in those hoppy waters. And while imported libations lap at the UAE’s shores, locally brewed beauties are just starting to make a splash, popping up in the ever-growing bar and pub panorama.
Al Maryah Island’s Frothy Future
The Craft microbrewery is nestled snugly on Abu Dhabi’s Al Maryah Island, a hop, skip, and a jump from luxurious tangled trappings like The Galleria. Patrons can ogle international eateries and fancy hotels, then retreat to Craft, where brews boil beside Michelin-star shindigs and premium sushi spots.
The expansive premises parade their shiny brewing baubles like trophies, while menus overhead whisper the beer secrets of the day. And lest we forget, creative cocktails can also cradle Side Hustle spirits, ensuring each sip sings with possibility. They’re plotting to push out 75 varieties of their craft crusade over the coming months—though just a select handful will grace the taps at any one time—maintaining that exclusive allure.
So there you have it—Abu Dhabi’s not just plush palaces and rolling dunes, but now host to a bustling brewery, where the clink of glasses sings a new tune. Craft by Side Hustle is more than just a drink spot; it’s a hop-forward haven for those who know that a great brew can be just as monumental as the grandest of skylines.
Cheers, Abu Dhabi, and welcome to the brew league!
I absolutely loved reading about the Abu Dhabi brewery revolution in this article! Side Hustle has truly embodied the spirit of this craft beer revolution, and it’s exciting to see the growth of the craft beer scene in Abu Dhabi.