Manuherekia Brewery

 

Manuherekia Brewery was founded in 2015, and is owned and operated by husband and wife team Mat and Aimee Bell. The boutique brewery is located on their property near Alexandra, the heart of Central Otago. It sources water from the aquifer 60 metres directly below the brewery. Hops are sourced from nelson with seasonal beers produced using the Manuherekia Brewery’s own grown hops. Malted barley and specialty grains are obtained from Gladfield Malt. Apple juice for cider is locally sourced from nearby orchards. The brew house itself is purpose built with SS Brewtech temperature controlled conical fermenters. Every part of the process is undertaken at the brewery, as such is a lovingly crafted Central Otago product.

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How the brewery came to be

 

Mat was first introduced to brewing beer by a work colleague in Dunedin who had won numerous New Zealand home brewing championship medals. After several years gaining beer brewing experience, Mat tried his luck and even managed to win a couple himself.
 
2011 saw the return of Mat and Aimee Bell to Alexandra, a place where they met and fell in love while picking fruit on an orchard in 2002. Their passion for beer brewing grew, and the brewing operation expanded to a point that becoming a commercial brewery was the next logical step. 2015 was the first appearance of Manuherekia Brewery at Alexandra’s famous Blossom Festival. Now you will find Manuherekia Brewery pouring beverages at many festivals with its beers and ciders available in selected stores and pubs throughout Otago.