pint of Aro Valley's finest

From a petrol station to a boutique brewery

REBECCA THOMSON Beer barons: Peter Gillespie and Jos Ruffell are excited about introducing new beer flavours to Wellingtonians.

Something tasty is brewing in Aro Valley.

Wellingtonians Peter Gillespie and Jos Ruffell have set up a micro-brewery in the former Shell petrol station.

The space has been spruced up and brewing equipment, refrigerators and sinks installed.

Wellington City Council consent allows the brewery to produce up to 200 litres of beer a week.

Mr Gillespie said it was likely they would start with 50-litre batches, which would be sold under the name Garage Project.

"This won't even be micro-brewing, it'll truly be a nano-brewery," said Mr Gillespie. "You can experiment and try things with a 50-litre brew that you wouldn't dream of trying with a five-hectolitre brew."

After a decade working in breweries in Britain and Australia, Mr Gillespie decided to return to Wellington to set up his own brewery.

"This is what I've been wanting to do for a long time. I want to experiment with styles and push the boundaries."

He hopes to produce a range of beers, including ales and low-alcohol brews.

"Just because it's low-alcohol, doesn't mean it has to taste bad. Our emphasis will always be on quality.

"I'm happy to produce low-alcohol beer. You can have 3.2 per cent beer and it can be pleasant, and not low in flavour."

Mr Gillespie said they would also be making high-alcohol beers.

Craft beers were becoming more popular as people's tastes were changing, he said.

"I do wonder if the wine industry paved the way. People now look for different flavours in wine and that is happening for beer too."

He said after the closure of the Lion Nathan Macs brewery on Wellington waterfront, it was important to set up something in the city.

"Having a local beer resonates with people. They want to see where their beer comes from and chat with the brewer.

"Aro Valley is a great community and it's a productive community. There's a baker just across the road using virtually the same ingredients as we do; there's Aro Cafe; there's a guy up the road making wooden furniture."

Garage Project beer will be sold at Taranaki St bar Hashigo Zake. Mr Gillespie said he would eventually like to see others sell it. Meanwhile, he and Mr Ruffell are eyeing the Beervana beer festival.

"The pressure is on. They [Beervana organisers] have asked us to enter, but Beervana is four weeks away and it takes four weeks to brew a beer."