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The Sawmill Brewery, on Leigh Road, Matakana, intends to meet all its production targets despite being setback by a large fire this month.
Brewery co-owner Kirsty MacKay says The Sawmill has received offers from breweries from Matakana to Oamaru for tank space, and is fortunate to be able to continue operating.
“The main goal has been to keep the brewing going as we have employees to support and beer to be made,” she says.
“Without the support from the brewing community it wouldn’t have been possible, and it’s particularly amazing considering this is their busiest time of year.”
Kirsty hopes they will be brewing at the Sawmill again within six months. However, the equipment will need to be commercially cleaned due to smoke damage.
“We also want to hold events here again before the end of summer, although we are not sure what form they will take,” she says.
The sold-out Future of Fish event with renowned chef Fleur Sullivan, which was scheduled to be held at the brewery’s Smoko Room last week, was shifted to Brick Bay Winery.
Fire investigators are still to determine what specifically caused the fire, however Kirsty says it was definitely not deliberate and an electrical fault has been ruled out.
The cause was also unrelated to the brewing equipment. The fire started in an administration office on a mezzanine level.
The large blaze was spotted by a motorist passing by about 11pm on Monday, October 7, who subsequently alerted the fire service. Kirsty says the Matakana Volunteer Fire Brigade was quick to attend, closely followed by Leigh, Mahurangi East, Warkworth and even Te Atatu and Mt Wellington brigades.
The fire was also attended by an aerial unit, which used an extended ladder to douse the fire with water from above.
“There were 10 to 12 vehicles and dozens of firefighters. It took two hours to put out and some stayed until 5.30am to monitor it. I cannot express how grateful we are and how skilled and brave they were,” Kirsty says.
She says in the following weeks she has been uplifted by thousands of acts of kindness from the community with people checking in and dropping things off.
“I feel really lucky to live here,” she says.
