Imported Lagers

There’s no use crying over spilt milk, but there are plenty of reasons to shed a tear over the dumping of beer.

The Invercargill Brewery has done the unthinkable and flushed 1200L of beer down the drain.

Brewery owner Steve Nally said while it was hard to swallow, there was no option but to discard the beer because it just wasn’t right.

It appeared the firm’s Pitch Black beer had contracted a yeast infection and got too hot, he said.

“It’s just out of spec (specification) for us, the taste is just wrong. We do quality checks with our palates and it doesn’t agree.”

Ditching the beer would cost thousands of dollars.

It is the first time in two years the brewery has run out of one of its standard drops.

Sometimes mistakes turned into “happy accidents” and could be sold as a special but not in this case, he said.

It was not something he wanted to put his label on and he also simply needed the space.

For the disposal an observer was on hand to ensure the faulty beer was actually destroyed.

All of the beer made at the brewery was recorded and attracted excise duty tax, which meant everything rejected had to be witnessed by a Customs representative.

While it was not common, it wasn’t the first time and probably wouldn’t be the last, Mr Nally said.

About three years ago he had to jettison three batches, “which hurt a bit”.

“When I started out I used to get upset about it, but it’s part of running this kind of business; it happens.

“At least the sewers will be smelling nicer for a bit.”