BREWING
REEF
in tropical paradise F
iji’s newest brewery to batch-brew, premium craft beers has opened and is now pouring at select tap rooms across Fiji. Reef Brewing Co., is bucking the global trend in boutique, artisan brewing, by locally producing its ‘REEF’ label beers in small batches purely for draught consumption. REEF is brewed at its custom-built plant on Palm Tree Road in Wailoaloa, Nadi where master brewer Andrew Larsen, an internationally recognized brewing consultant, designed the initial range of beers. The current lineup of beers available on tap include a crisp, flavoursome ‘Island Lager’, a smooth, hoppy ‘Island Pale Ale’, and a dark, spicy ‘Midnight Reef’. Soon to join the ranks is a light and fragrant ’Tropical Beer’, for those who enjoy a sweeter beverage with less alcohol. REEF is being warmly embraced by beer aficionados at select resorts, restaurants and nightclubs; with more locations to be added. Reef Brewing Co., is pushing boundaries, showcasing some genuinely great batch-brewed
30
beer and having some fun while going about it. According to the company’s owner and managing director, Liam Hindle, there was no boutique, batchbrewed local craft beers available on draught in Fiji – until REEF. As the proprietor of some of capital Suva’s top night spots and managing director of Victoria Wines & Spirits, Liam is a well-established and longstanding member of the city’s hospitality industry. He is known for his innovative approach to the industry as well as his expertise in the beverage sector. “When we started Victoria Wines in 1990, wines were mainly oxidized and in flagons and described as either Red or White; we now sell over 500 different wines of over 20 different varieties from five different continents,” explained Liam, adding that: “Fiji needs to make a similar journey with beer - and with beer we can make it here!” Helping to spread the word about these new beers, Victoria Wines is following the popular overseas trend of setting up to serve these beers
