Hallertau.. always good

Ten years ago when I was a polytech student and recycling bottles at Wanaka Beerworks in Central Otago for some ‘beer money’, microbreweries were not a common site. Even less common was seeing people drinking their beers. But today the beer brewing landscape in New Zealand has evolved into a humming and rapidly growing industry. Just look at what beer you can now buy at your local bottle store and you will know what I am talking about.

So to begin what will hopefully become your trusted source of beer reading I thought I would introduce you to one of my favourite microbreweries, Hallertau. I discovered Hallertau by accident last year after being blown dry by a strong westerly at Muriwai beach, West Auckland. I was fading during the journey back to the city when I saw the light…”Hallertau Brewbar and Restaurant – 3km”

I followed the sign and within ten minutes I was sitting in a sun filled courtyard in Riverhead, underneath hop vines staring at a five beer tasting paddle….drooling. Looking around me were tables and chairs, wooden barrels and stools and a bar with families, surfers, locals and tourists many of which had the same order, rolling in the same satisfaction I was only moments away from. Another ten minutes later and I was staring at an empty tasting paddle wishing I had found this place many beers ago.

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.