8 Wired Brewing announced this week they are closing their Barrelworks taproom in Matakana later this month because their landlord is repurposing the building.
On paper it looks like a big blow for the brewery, as well as for the wider Auckland beer-loving population, but as owner-brewer Soren Eriksen explains, it’s not such a bad outcome for the brewery.
The Barrelworks was where 8 Wired stored many of their barrel-aged beers including their very popular Wild Feijoa, but the brewery is in the process of rationalising their barrel-age programme.
“One reason we’re not fussed about closing down is that we don’t need all that space any more as the barrel-aging programme is winding down,” Soren explained.
“We’re making less and less of it and if you’ve kept an eye on our releases you’ll see it’s been a long time since we released a barrel-aged beer.”
And here, Soren is talking specifically about the sour beers such as Fistful of Raspberries, Desperate Glory, Hellhole of the North, and even their cult Wild Feijoa — though that will continue.
“If anything what we’ll probably do more is the whisky barrel stuff — the big stouts seem to sell pretty good but the sours don’t seem to sell any more.”
By way of explanation, Soren noted simply: “Markets change,” adding that it’s a trend impacting well-known barrel programmes around the world, including American breweries such as Jester King in Texas and Rare Barrel in California.
“I was at Jester King recently and I was very surprised to see only two of 20 beers were wild fermented, so I think this is a world-wide thing.”
While the barrel-aged beers are expensive to make, he didn’t think price was part of the downturn.
“People will pay $12 for a seasonal IPA in 440ml can and Wild Feijoa at $17 for 500ml bottle isn’t that different on price per litre. People who like good beer and are happy to pay $12 for an IPA, for some reason they don’t want to pay $17 for Wild Feijoa.”
8 Wired didn’t do a Wild Feijoa vintage this year, the first they’ve missed in more than a decade, although that was as much to do with a failed feijoa crop from their traditional supplier.
“We didn’t want to go to another supplier and also we hadn’t sold through the previous year’s batch.”
He said the beer will continue in the future but it will be scaled back.
They are “not immediately” looking for another taproom.
The Matakana venue, partly because of its size, was always a break-even proposition, and most of the income came on Saturdays when visitors flocked to the town from Auckland.
The last day at the taproom will be Saturday, November 28.
8 Wired posted on Facebook:
“With our building being redeveloped, it’s time for us to say goodbye. Creating Barrelworks was a real labour of love, and working alongside so many talented local tradies to bring it to life is something we’ll always be proud of.
“Since opening in December 2019, it’s been home to quiz nights, comedy nights, food truck evenings, birthdays, after-work knock-offs and so many good times in between. We’ve especially loved seeing the space used by our community, from local events to fundraisers for causes close to many hearts. And to our wonderful regulars, you’ve made this place what it is. We’re so grateful to everyone who came through the door.
“We’ve still got a few weeks left, so come in and make the most of it with us. We’ll finish with a proper send-off: a farewell party on the final night, open to everyone. More details soon.”