Southstar Brewing building a portable shipping container brewery
Brewer Kieran Haslett-Moore updates progress on new brewery. Commerce Commision releases update on proposed Kegstar acquisition of Konvoy Kegs. More beer coming to Netflix via AB InBev deal.
Welcome to Friday Night Beers, your weekly dispatch of news, views and reviews from the New Zealand beer scene.
I’m starting this week with an update on Kieran Haslett-Moore’s brewery plans.
You might remember that earlier this year Kieran was restructured out of his role as head brewer and co-founder of North End Brewing.
He’s done a recent collab with Dunedin’s Cell Division, a delicious Grisette and when I spotted a post on Facebook about brewing a brown ale, I thought I’d check in to see where he’s at. The new brewery’s not quite ready, but what he’s doing is quite innovative and possibly offers a template for others looking to get into the brew game on low-ish capital outlay.
As a former shareholder in North End, Kieran’s still on gardening leave until next year, but he’s working away in the background on the reboot of Southstar Brewing, which was the label he set up before North End.
It’s an intriguing enterprise because he’s in the process of converting a shipping container into a transportable nano brewery. When it’s finished, he will then move it to a site, yet to be determined, where he can hook up it to water and wastewater.
While he gets the brewery ready, he is hunting for a day job.
“It’s not a great time in the economic cycles to be unemployed,” he admits. “I’ve got restraint of trade so I can’t work for a brewery until mid-next year.
“I’ve applied for all sorts of things — security guard at The Warehouse, working at the local safety shop, working in the local library, stock taking for a retailer, and, you know, none of those I’ve even made an interview.”
He’s got another opportunity pending which is part-time and work from home.
That lack of income has stalled the brewery build.
“I’ve put a wet floor in it, but there’s no electrical or plumbing in there yet. So it’s part-way converted. The idea would be to move it to a site and plug into the wastewater and water there.
“I’ve assembled a bunch of tanks for this brewery, and I have bought some vessels that are to be converted into the brew house, but they’re all just sitting at the moment waiting to be converted.
“I am going to have a few investors, there are some people who are keen for that, but at the moment, I’m in a bit of a deadlock, a sort of stalled situation.
“The engineer is grappling with the massive stainless steel price hikes that have happened in recent times.
“He’s trying to find the material that he uses for the false bottom for the mash tun, which is laser cut and just the raw product is now $2,000, which is wild.”
Kieran says the concept for the brewery is a relatively tight focus on yeast-driven British and Belgian farmhouse or country beer.
“I think there is a market for it. It’s not the hazy IPA market, but there are people who want those sorts of beers still.”
The shipping container approach ensures the overheads stay as low as possible.
“There’s not going be a hell of a lot of profit in doing these small batches of speciality beer, but if you can keep the overheads down, then I think there’s some legs in it. That’s the thing I’ve learned, is if you invest big time at the start, that’s a lot of money to pay off over time, and so if you can really do it on a shoestring, I think that’s a positive.”
Good luck to him and I personally can’t wait to try some of these beers!
Beervana Sessions podcast — listen now
If you didn’t get a chance to drop in to the live podcast sessions myself and Martin Bridges did at Beervana, now’s your chance to listen.
The first of our Beervana Sessions is up at The Third Pint Theory and features Pete Gillespie and Dave Bell from Garage Project talking about the making of Chance Luck & Magic, the Champion Beer from this year’s NZ Beer Awards.
And they are joined by Matt Smith from Champion NZ Brewery, Brave. Matt talks mostly about Tigermilk because that’s the gold medal and trophy that meant the most to the brewery.
Beer of the Week No 1
It’s the last week of the New World Beer & Cider Awards promotion and if you haven’t tried Garage Project’s Spicy Pickle Beer, it might be time.
On the spectrum of pickle-loving, I’m at the “yes!” end, so I’m primed to appreciate the spicy-dill-briny slap this beer brings to the table.
I love looking at the Untappd reviews of this beer. Plenty of one-stars there which is to be expected. So be warned, if you think you’ll hate don’t try it!
On the other hand, those who get it, love it. I think it’s the perfect beer to start an evening, a refreshing palate cleanser — and perfect with food, from cheese to fried chicken.
Commerce Commission’s concerns over Kegstar buying Konvoy
The Commerce Commission has released a Statement of Issues related to the proposed acquisition of the liquidated Konvoy Kegs by rival Kegstar.
It’s fair to say the Commerce Commission has taken a very deep dive into the keg market in this country and they’ve actually got some nice graphics that illustrate how this market works.
They are yet to make a final decision and are asking for more submissions before making a decision on December 4, but they have outlined their areas of concern:
“Based on the evidence collected to date, we are concerned that the Proposed Acquisition would substantially lessen competition in the relevant markets in New Zealand. We are continuing to investigate the competitive effects of the Proposed Acquisition.”
I’ll try my best to summarise the key points, but those of you who are very interested should check out the information available at Comcom:
Kegstar-and-Konvoy-Statement-of-Issues-25-September-2025.pdf
The main concern is that having one player in what they call the Pay Per Fill (PPF) market would see prices increases or quality of service lessen.
The other options are for breweries and brewpubs to source and manage their own kegs — a huge capital outlay for nearly everyone apart from the big players Lion, DB and Asahi who already look after their own kegs.
The Comcom didn’t think it was possible that enough small to medium breweries could do this in order to offer up a suitable level of competition.
They ruled out one-way plastic kegs as a viable option and dismissed the idea that bars could just sell more beer in bottles and cans rather than on tap.
And they also noted, that if the two suppliers merged into one entity, it’s unlikely a new competitor come on to the scene up given the current market conditions.
“We are not currently satisfied that there are viable alternative options to the supply of PPF services that would be sufficient to constrain an exercise in market power by the merged entity.
“In considering the Application and assessing whether the Proposed Acquisition is likely to substantially lessen competition, our focus is on what would change with the Proposed Acquisition. Unless we are satisfied that any lessening of competition as a result of the Proposed Acquisition is not likely to be substantial, we cannot give clearance.”
Martin’s Beer of the Week
I love how the New World Beer & Cider Awards have encouraged me to revisit this absolute classic. No 2 (also known as Statesman — look out for an upcoming episode of The Third Pint Theory for the story around the naming) was one of the original beers launched by Hallertau 20 years ago. At that point it was an American pale ale, but it has morphed over time to become more of an NZ pale ale. Whatever you categorise it as, it’s a great everyday drinker. Nice malt base with a moderate amount of juicy hops arranged neatly across the top. I get citrus (mainly grapefruit) with some tropical overtones. Perfect for drinking with friends or on your own, with food or without, while reading, watching TV or doing nothing at all. — Martin Bridges
Beer of the Week No 2
Whenever I have Urbanaut’s Copacabana Brut IPA, I always wonder why I don’t have more often — OK, maybe the 7.1% ABV is something of a deterrent, because it’s so damn drinkable.
Light, fruit, dry and refreshing, it’s one of the few “brut” IPAs still on the market here. Of course, these days it’s also marketed as low carb — which is where it popped up in the latest New World Beer & Cider Awards, alongside it’s stablemate, Beat Street Hazy IPA.
Neither beer bears much resemblance to the market-dominating low carb beers from the big breweries!
Copacabana has summer drinking written all over, while Beat Street, which has had a label makeover since its first iteration, drives a strong passionfruit-peach vibe and because it’s low carb it finishes dry and clean, a nice outcome for those of who don’t like super-sweet hazies.
A celebration of hops
On the other side of the world it’s hop harvest time and to celebrate, British publication Pellicle is running a series on hops from around the world.
The latest dispatch is on Nelson Sauvin, with a strong focus on Garage Project’s Pernicious Weed.
It was interesting to read Pete Gillespie’s take on the picking windows for Nelson Sauvin, as he noted that the definitive white grape flavour from that iconic hop comes when it’s picked slightly earlier. When it’s left a little longer it gets more tropical and dank.
Siren Time Hops 2025 — Part Three: Nirvanic Nelson Sauvin — Pellicle
Dusty’s Beer of the Week
Flag the main drag, take the Scenic Route with Altitude Brewing and their 6% NZIPA. From the cold gold pour and hefty foam dome to the zingy citrus and pungent melon, it’s a trip, an aromatic mouthfeel with resiny floral subtleties on a lean malt bill harmoniously delivers a crispy crusha! — Dusty
More beer coming to Netflix
I’m about to launch into the Netflix series House of Guinness — a show where no product placement is required because the black stuff will be all over the screen in this Succession-inspired take on the Guinness dynasty.
But down the line you’re going to see more beer on your Netflix shows after a partnership deal with AB InBev was announced this week.
Marcel Marcondes, the chief marketing officer for AB InBev, told Fox News that adjusting their strategy to appeal to an audience at home is paramount and offers a glimpse into the future of not only how people socialise, but when they choose to drink.
AB InBev plan to offer promotions for Netflix subscriptions, trade activations and themed packaging for different shows. In return Netflix will incorporate AB InBev products into shows, with season two of The Gentlemen featuring characters drinking Stella Artois throughout the series.
Netflix, AB InBev partner on streaming and beer | Fox Business
Tim’s Beer of the Week
It may not be October yet, but it is Oktoberfest (20 September – 5 October). Every year more of our local craft brewers don the lederhosen and kick out a kiwi version of a Munich Festbier. Historically, the results have been mixed… NZ malt and even more so our hops just don’t mesh well with the peerlessly smooth, crisp and understated character of fresh German lager. But they have been steadily improving, and by my reckoning Chur-Toberfest from Auckland’s Behemoth Brewery has nailed it this year. The blend of Pilsner, Munich and Vienna malts deliver an immaculate weight and structure that’s both smooth drinking and characterfully crunchy at the same time, while the German Hallertau Blanc hops lend a subtle freshness, lift and essential bitterness. Behemoth’s own house lager strain is obviously working some magic too, and the conditioning is top notch. My only complaint: It needs to come in bigger cans, and I’m talking a litre here if we’re really doing it right… but, at around $5 for the 440ml there’s really not much standing in the way of having as much as you like. Remember: If your stein is not playing music, it’s not big enough. — Tim Newman
‘Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit!’
How to grow your own hops
Talk of fresh hops (above) might inspire you to try growing your own.
If you want some for summer, it’s best to get cracking and here’s a short guide on how to do it.
Create your own beer garden – hops are easy to grow and will keep you in tasty ale | The Guardian
Beer of the Week No 3
Last entry from the New World Awards from me — and Mad Whale Beer Co Helles Lager is one of the more unusual beers to pop up in the Top 25.
Unusual because the parent business, Mad Whale Islands, are a company specialising in export products, from wine to ice cream, cocktails and beer. The flag-meets-All Blacks look to the label says it all really!
This Helles Lager is brewed at Steam in Auckland, so you know it will be well made. This has a really nice zip to it and a firm hop bite. It’s straightforward and unadorned but just a bit bolder than I’d expected. Good beer for a late-afternoon rugby game :)
That’s us for another week and I’ll see you on the other side of daylight savings.
Michael
Hang in there Kieran - the job market is tough at the moment.