Leigh Sawmill Brewery… my favourite stop after a days fishing up north

Flick through the visitors book at the Leigh Sawmill Brewery and you read comments like “superb little brewery, love the pilsner” and “a beautiful setting, a lovely beer” or “Wheat beer – you could give the Germans lessons”. So as I talk to Peter Freckleton, who owns and runs the brewery with wife Decima, it is no wonder he proudly talks about their beer. As Peter said to me “ our focus is producing beer that people will enjoy, we are not doing this to win competitions” it was clear they are in this for the love of fine beer, not trophies.

In 1981 Peter and Decima moved to New Zealand from Hertfordshire, United Kingdom with no major plans to create a premium microbrewery. Peter always made some homebrew and recalls how difficult it was to find brewing equipment when he first arrived. It wasn’t until five years ago, during a chat with mates about the lack of businesses in Leigh, did their idea for the brewery take shape.

To put it simply, Peter discovered the semi-derelict shed the brewery resides in today next to the Sawmill Café, approached the owners, who were unsure about this Englishman’s idea of opening a brewery, he sorted out the details like resource consent and within two years was brewing what is now the local beer of Leigh.

To Peter and Decima it is much more than the “local beer”. They are providing an overall beer experience. Walk in the front door and you are confronted with a large traditional copper kettle, timber clad fermentation tanks and a perfect tasting bar. Although everything is in one building its kept immaculate. So as you stand at the bar tasting and talking beer you can take in what its like to be a brewer of one of New Zealand’s best beers.

All of the beer brewed here is made with ultra filtered rainwater, malt, hops and yeast, and of course there are no artificial additives, sugars or preservatives. They use the finest ingredients and natural brewing processes that further enhance the natural flavours.

Currently they have four premium flagship beers with occasional seasonal beers available too. “Crystal” is a wheat beer, which, as the name states, is crystal clear. It’s a refreshing summer drink and perfect with fish, the other reason visitors frequent Leigh. Next, from lightest to darkest, is the Blade Pilsner. If you have ever been to the Czech Republic and tasted a real Pilsner you will quickly respect Peter’s brewing skill.  The Leigh Pale Ale leaves you with good hop notes, and importantly, is an ideal session beer. Finally the Thornycroft Ale, taking its name from the old Thornycroft engine in the Sawmill grounds is a flavoursome dark ale styled on the English Porter. But like always, try them yourself and let your own tastes take on these great beers.

They are canning and bottling their beer or they will fill a flagon for you. The freshest brew you can get is directly from the brewery on Fridays and weekends or seven days a week between December 29th and the 15th of February. Next door is the Leigh Sawmill Café serving three brews on tap ( soon to be five taps ), these specialty beers are also available at a few local eateries in Matakana too.. You can also find Decima enthusiastically offering tastings and selling beer at the humming Matakana Market on a Saturday morning. But anyone will be able to enjoy their beer as they plan to launch a website in July where you can make orders online and have it delivered to your door, which is music to my ears.

Go to http://www.sawmillcafe.co.nz/brewery.html  to find out more about this premium New Zealand brewery.