AN IDEA sown over a few drinks with friends has grown into a successful business venture, complete with bricks and mortar, for Martinborough couple Hayden and Janalle Frew and their good friends Amanda and Stephen Fox. The friends have been the driving force behind the craft beer company, Martinborough Brewery, and its purpose-built off-licence tasting room on Ohio St.
After lamenting the lack of locally brewed beer a few years back, Hayden and Stephen set about creating their own. Black Nectar (5.8 per cent), an oatmeal stout, made its public debut at the inaugural BrewDay craft beer festival in 2013 and the feedback was so positive they extended their offerings. Earlier this year, and with the support of private investors, they opened the Martinborough Brewery and tasting room, a contemporary establishment with lots of natural light, exposed concrete brick and a natural wood interior, just off Kitchener St. An outside garden bar is perfectly situated to catch the afternoon sun and out the back the brewery has a 1200L capacity.
This week I took a look around the premises and was greeted by Hayden cleaning out the fermentation tanks. It's not a pretty job, he tells me, but a necessary one. Stephen is the head brewer and Janalle is front of house, greeting customers with a lovely warm smile. They batch brew six varieties of beer on site including a Vintage Gold (4.5 per cent), the closest thing to a lager; a Hop Elixir (6.2 per cent) a traditional English IPA; Foxy Red (6.8 per cent) a dry hopped red ale; A Wee Scotch Porter (3.5 per cent) and the original Black Nectar. I tasted three beers, including the Vintage Gold, which I think would be terrific on a hot summer's day; the Hop Elixir and A Wee Scotch Porter, the latter a great choice on a cold winter's day. Beers are served in the beautiful Spiegelau glassware which Janalle says - like a fine wine glass - have a special shape that bring out the flavours and aromas inherent in a craft beer. Tasting notes are available and also say how many standard drinks each beer is - reflecting the couple's commitment to being a responsible host and in response to the lowered alcohol limits.
Since opening, the bar has attracted a cross-section of residents, as well as visitors to town, many who comment on how the brewery complements the town's vineyards. Another unique proposition to the business is the takeaway option. As an off-licence, beer enthusiasts are able to fill up their flagons on site. There is also a small wine list offering Wairarapa wines, as well as a menu with brewery platters or tasty morsels such as home-made sausage and herb rolls and Martinborough Beer Belly Jelly and Cheese Balls. In addition the Cartel Food company's Mexican food offerings are listed.
Visitors to this month's A Midwinter Affair night market, to be held under a canopy of magical fairy lights in the Martinborough town square, will be able to sample a selection of the brewery's beers. The couple will line up alongside 85 other stall holders - including artisan food producers and crafts men and women - at the event on Saturday, June 20, which runs from 3pm until 7pm.
