New brewery to launch local lager

September 25, 2009 05:09:33 PM

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A new beer label from a newly established brewery is expected to hit the Fiji market next month.

The handcrafted Taki Premium Lager, a product by New Zealand brothers Jeremy and Jonathan Ullrich, will be produced by Island Brewing Company, a boutique microbrewery established in Nadi by the brothers.

A first for Fiji, the beer will be free of additives and preservatives and brewed naturally using pure Fiji island rainwater.

“It’s this time intensive process that ensures the premium quality of the lager,” the Ullrich said.

“The uniquely designed bottles feature Fiji’s endangered Green Turtle and the company is working with the Mamanuca Environment Society on how it can help raise funds and awareness to support breeding programmes.”

Taki Premium Lager was created for holidaymakers and locals alike and will be sold through resorts, hotels and clubs from next month.

"Over the past few years we have been seeing a growing professional group of people in Fiji who are more sophisticated in their tastes. Taki Premium Lager is a quality product made from the purest ingredients which will appeal to these consumers looking for a boutique, handcrafted beer.”

The Ullrich brothers have a long association with Fiji - their grandfather helped construct Nadi Airport for the military during World War II.

“Our grandfather’s reminiscences of Nadi Bay captivated us and it quickly became a much loved holiday destination for us all. Our family started Fiji Wire Industries in Nadi and Suva and we spent most of our younger days playing on Wailoala beach,” they said.

For the brothers, the launch of the Island Brewing Company will allow them to give something back to the community and introduce a unique product to the Fijian market.

They hope its success will generate more jobs for locals and boost the
local economy.

“We have enjoyed many of the amazing experiences Fiji has to offer such as gathering the enormous mud crabs in the estuaries around Denarau, buying fresh seafood from the local market, tipping out of our outrigger canoe and of course enjoying the unique Fijian experience - Taki Time which inspired our brand name,” they said.

The product is also already gaining international interest with potential export opportunities in the United States and Asia.

“We are looking forward to proving once again with Taki Premium Lager, that
Fiji has the capability to produce world class products. We are sure our offering will be internationally recognised for the quality of its ingredients, time intensive crafting and representation of the unique Fijian experience of Taki Time.”

The Ullrich said the company’s head brewer Dave Brough has over 15 years   experience in the industry working in Australian and British breweries.

The launch of Island Brewing Company is expected to create between 10-20 jobs locally and inject several million dollars into the local economy.