“We don’t consider ourselves just another ‘boutique’ or ‘craft’ brewery,” said Rotem Nardit-Butell. “You shouldn’t write that. Israel has a few dozen excellent , but we are brewing beers of the highest international standard.
” When I heard that from the manager of the new White Rabbit Brewery in Tel Aviv, I suspected that something different was taking place there – and that I had to find out what. With a little bit of organizing, we arranged for a proper visit and tour of the brewery, which would include Editor Erica Schachne, assorted tasters, friends, and yours truly. We were welcomed by Nardit-Butell, brewmaster Avi Shalev, and others on the marketing and sales staff.
White Rabbit is located on the premises of the former Dancing Camel, which opened in 2006 as Israel’s first craft brewery. The facilities have been completely renovated, and most of the brewing equipment has been replaced. The name “White Rabbit” comes from the title of the famous Jefferson Airplane song from the 1960s, whose lyrics hint at some interesting mind-altering substances.
It’s a favorite song of the brewery’s founder and owner, Zeev Rabinovitz. We’ll get back to him later. The White Rabbit brewery was looking forward to a grand opening in Israel in the fall of 2023, but the and the war put all of those plans on ice.
The first three beers were released and distributed to stores and restaurants around the country, but without celebration and fanfare. The beers were .
