Harar: The Ethiopian city of beer and mosques.

Harar: The Ethiopian city of beer and mosques. HT: BBC.

Ethiopia's historic city of Harar is one of Islam's holiest centres - but in recent times it has built up another tradition and is now also known for its brewery.

As holy cities go, Harar is a colourful one. Inside the walls of the old town I find buildings in greens, purples and yellows - its women seem to take this as a challenge, dressing in veils and robes of shocking pink and the brightest orange.


Harar lies far in the east of Ethiopia, with a road that rises out of the town in the direction of Somaliland.
I've come to find the city's brewery, which is what it's known for - beyond its holy credentials.

For three decades now it's turned out Harar beer, its bottles carrying a label that depicts the old city's famous gates.

Inside the grounds, green beer crates frame the horizon, with a green mosque in the distance.Read the full story here.