Creating Geraldine's own brew

A Geraldine couple are developing their own boutique beer with a vision of bringing more tourists to the district.

Philip and Raewyn Olde-Olthof plan to turn their 20-hectare property on State Highway 79 near Geraldine into a destination stop where they hope to brew a range of craft beers.

The couple come from farming backgrounds and have been working towards establishing a brewery, Valley Brewing Company, for the past two years.

Their fully automated micro brewery from the United States is being trialled in Southland but will be housed at their Geraldine property once the brand gets established in the market.

It will produce about 200 litres per day and deliver three batches a week when it is up and running, Mr Olde-Olthof said.

Al Williams: BOUTIQUE BREWERS: Geraldine's Philip and Raewyn Olde-Olthof are developing a range of craft beersValley Brewing Company pale ale is stocked in supermarkets around South Canterbury and the Geraldine couple look set to launch another beer in late February when they host the White Horse Cowboy Challenge at their property.

The deer farmers turned brewers believe they are on to a winner in South Canterbury, and particularly Geraldine.

Both have tried boutique beers in different parts of the world and see Geraldine as home to their own brand of quality beverages.

"Towns and cities around the world trade themselves on a style or brand of crafted beer," Mr Olde-Olthof said. "Different countries have a different style of beer."

The couple carried out research while creating a business plan and are still consulting with a recognised master brewer.

They spoke to numerous people in the brewing industry and were surprised at the positive feedback about Geraldine.

"Geraldine is known for its good produce. It's a boutique area," Mr Olde-Olthof explained.

Mrs Olde-Olthof compared craft beer to the coffee and wine industries.

"It's like the coffee industry is now, as you've got all sorts of different types."

The past 12 months have been particularly intense for the couple in building business relationships and putting the plan into action.

Valley Brewing Company aims to source its supplies locally, starting with the brand, drawn up by a Geraldine designer, through to the unmalted barley which comes from Dunsandel.

"Our aim is to produce four different kinds of beers," Mr Olde-Olthof said. "The objective was to craft the beer to reflect Geraldine's people.

"We ended up with a pale ale that has a pleasant aroma, character, a pleasant finish at the end of the beer and is smooth."

By Al Williams
The Timaru Herald