Issue 64 23rd March 2001 - Monteiths West Coast Brewery Closes
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Issue 64 – 23rd March 2001 - MONTEITHS WEST COAST BREWERY CLOSES
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The Institute of Brewing - Symposium Auckland 26th & 27th March 2001 Waipuna Lodge, Mt Wellington, Auckland Register on the day – Starts Monday
Official Press Release **
CLOSURE OF WEST COAST BREWERY AND TRANSFER OF PRODUCTION
DB Breweries yesterday announced that from today it would transfer production from its West Coast brewery in Greymouth
to its Waitemata Brewery in Auckland. This will result in the closure and decommissioning of the West Coast brewery over
the next four weeks.
Brian Blake, DB Group Managing Director said that the decision had been made following a comprehensive review of brewing
options across the company’s four breweries which highlighted that the cost of sustaining production at the West Coast
brewery was no longer viable.
“With the increasing popularity of the Monteith’s family of premium craft beers the West Coast brewery has been running
at maximum capacity. Volume has grown by 250% since 1995 and to meet continued levels of production the brewery would
have to undergo a significant and costly upgrade. The investment required to increase the plant’s brewing capacity along
with a major upgrade of its packaging facilities is just not commercially viable,” said Mr Blake
“While premium beers such as Monteith’s are increasing in popularity overall beer consumption in New Zealand has
declined by more than 27% over the past ten years. This reduced level of beer consumption throughout New Zealand means
that DB Breweries has existing excess capacity at its other breweries and we must utilize this capacity.
“This has been a difficult decision and we regret having this action, especially since West Coast brewery staff have
worked so hard to create an efficient brewing operation.”
Mr Blake said the closure affects fourteen staff and their families. A consultation process with staff is now underway.
All staff will be provided with the appropriate level of redundancy payments along with counseling and assistance to
help them obtain other employment.
“The decision has been made to brew the Monteith’s beers at the Steinecker brewhouse within the Waitemata brewery. We
have brewed trial batches of all Monteith’s beers and are very satisfied with the results. The distinct character of the
Monteith’s family of premium craft brands will be sustained. Monteith’s beers have become classic ‘brews’. They have
received numerous international awards with Black the most celebrated New Zealand beer in recent times.
“Manufacturing out of Auckland provides logistical advantages for our next challenge – to develop export opportunities
in selected markets through the South Pacific and Asia.
“We will also continue to support the West Coast, the original home of Monteith’s though our sponsorship of the Hokitika
Wildfoods Festival, says Mr Blake.
MONTEITH’S LAUNCH NEW SEASONAL BEER – MONTEITH’S SAISON BIERE 5.5% alc/vol, exclusively grown variety of Saaz hops.
Available throughout New Zealand from 2nd April.
THESE MEN DESERVE A MONTEITH’S West Coast drinkers are crying into their beer, mourning for one of their old-time
identities – Monteiths Brewery. http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,715578a1806,FF.html
More on Monteith’s http://www.realbeer.co.nz/search/brewtour/NZ/SI/monteiths/
More on Monteith’s next issue.
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OTHER IMPORTANT BEER DATES
THE INSTITUTE OF BREWING Symposium Auckland 26 & 27 March Symposium Melbourne 29 & 30 March
NZ BEER AWARDS Beer Awards Dinner - 14 April Brewers Brunch – 15 April
MONTEITH’S WILDFOOD CHALLENGE Auckland 8 – 23 June Tauranga & Hamilton 15 – 30 June Wellington 22 June – 7 July Christchurch 29 June – 14 July Dunedin 6 – 21 July
AUSTRALIAN BEER AWARDS Entries close – 9 April Beer Awards Dinner - 21 June Brewers Brunch – 22 June www.beerawards.com
*********************************************************** BREWERY FOR SALE – WELLINGTON All equipment from the
Copperhead Brewery is now available for sale as individual pieces. Includes 45 near new kegs.
BREWERY FOR SALE – New Zealand Full mash brewery available to right buyer. Everything you need for immediate start. Well
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mailto:tanksforsale@realbeer.co.nz
More information mailto:breweries@realbeer.co.nz
*********************************************************** BLUES BREWS AND BBQ’S – IMAGES A very dedicated beer lover
has forwarded a couple of links for images he took while attending the Christchurch and Blenheim Blues, Brews and BBQ’s.
The images really capture the mood of the day.
CHRISTCHURCH – Blues, Brews & BBQ’s http://upforit.tv/upforit_seasiderock_nz_feb.html
BLENHEIM – Blues, Brews & BBQ’s http://upforit.tv/Upforit_capn_ant_nz_blen.html ************************************************************ The
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