Zeelandt gets ‘Back on the Horse’ after cyclone wiped out brewery
An Eskdale craft beermaker who lost everything in Cyclone Gabrielle has gotten "back on the horse" to raise money for the community.
Zeelandt Brewery Managing Director and Head Brewer Chris Barber says they are "committed to our business and our customers" after floodwaters destroyed the brewery, all stock and equipment.
“We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how we rebuild, and what the future looks like.
"Over the short term, we are contract brewing in Auckland so we can continue getting Zeelandt beer to customers, with the first batches of beer being available towards the end of April."
They are also launching a new fundraising beer, called “Back on the Horse”, to benefit local first responders and our local community trust.
“Despite the Eskdale community suffering large losses, Zeelandt is in a position to help. With the generosity of our suppliers we are launching a new beer with all proceeds (after excise tax and freight) going to local organisations involved in the emergency response,” Barber says.
Christopher and Luciana Barber. Photo/Supplied.
Back on the Horse is a New Zealand IPA inspired by a small wooden horse that remained standing on Chris and Luciana’s property after floodwaters receded.
His father Les built a wooden horse in the vege garden for his two grandchildren to play on. While the force of the floodwaters took away the sheds and cars that surrounded it, the horse remained.
To Barber, this was a sign that the only way for the community to move on from this event was to get back on the horse.
The special-edition Back on the Horse beer released by Zeelandt.
Available in 440mL cans and 30L keg, Back On The Horse can be purchased directly from the brewery website www.zeelandt.co.nz and some bottle stores such as The Bottle-O Onekawa after Anzac Day.
All funds raised from the sale of the beer will go towards Bay View Volunteer Fire Brigade, Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter, and Bay View Community Charitable Trust.
“We are so incredibly grateful for the love and support shown by Kiwis during the aftermath of the cyclone, and to our suppliers for getting behind this fundraising beer.
"We hope that Hawke’s Bay people will support Back on the Horse and enjoy drinking it, so we can donate as much money as possible.”
