Love a Little Local: Old Tin Hat brings war heroes back to life

At the recent launch of Old Tin Hat, The Spirit of Hermanus’ new range of fine craft beers at The Wine Glass, it came as no surprise to learn that co-owner Peter Dickens is also an amateur historian.

The Spirit of Hermanus, a local microbrewery and distillery (with a secondary brewery at Black Oystercatcher Wine Farm near Elim) already produces an extensive range of beers under the Folk & Goode brand, from American IPA to English Pale Ale, Irish Stout, Belgian Witbier, Pilsner and Lager, along with the Fiddler’s Premium Botanical Gin and a range of pre-mixed, readyto-drink spirits such as Moscow Mule, Rum & Raspberry, G&T and Pink G&T.

Their latest range, named after the steel combat helmet worn by the Allied forces in both World Wars, comprises four beers – a Lager, Pilsner, Blonde Ale and India Pale Ale – with each dedicated to the memory of an unsung South African WWII hero.

‘Sheer Courage’ (the IPA) celebrates Lance Corporal Lucas Majozi, the volunteer WWII stretcher-bearer who, unarmed, entered into a hail of enemy machine gun fire to rescue injured South African soldiers caught in the crossfire during the second battle of El Alamein. ‘Freedom Fighter’ (the Lager) honours Group Captain Adolph ‘Sailor’ Malan, the South African fighter pilot and flying ace who led No. 74 Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain.

The Pilsner, ‘Cauldron of Valour’ recognises the SA WWII Victoria Cross hero, Sergeant Quentin Smythe, who was the first South African to be awarded this highest of all British military decorations after leading an attack on an anti-tank gun position of Rommel’s Afrika Korps in the Western Dessert despite being heavily wounded.

The fourth hero in this range is ‘The Great Escaper’ (the Blonde Ale), named after none other than Squadron Leader Roger Bushell who led the famous escape from a German POW camp, Stalag Luft III before being caught and executed by the Gestapo. Bushell’s parents were living in Hermanus at the time and he is commemorated by the War Memorial above the Old Harbour. “Marketing is all about telling stories, but most stories are fables and the fabulous thing is that these are all factual,” said Peter, who started a popular South African History blog, The Observation Post, after the death of his father, the well-known local artist Derrick Dickens, who specialised in aviation and marine art. Father and son shared a passion for history, a subject they often debated and discussed, surrounded by Derrick’s library of military history books and his many aviation and maritime artworks.

Peter was full of praise for the artwork of Old Tin Hat’s labels by Rial de Wet, done in the style of war comics illustrations. During April’s First Fridays Artwalk, Rial’s original illustrations were exhibited at The Wine Glass, along with some paintings and illustrations by Peter’s late father, drawing considerable interest from artwalkers who were keen to hear more about these legendary stories – and, of course, to taste the beer! – Hedda Mittner