When Derelict Brewing unexpectedly closed down in 2024 after just six years in business, much of it as New Zealand’s top-ranked brewery on Untappd, it was scarcely believable.
Owner-brewer Sam Cottier had created so many incredible beers in such a short time it felt like a large piece had been ripped out of the fabric of New Zealand brewing.
Like many, I’ve been watching Derelict’s socials for a few weeks since they popped back with an updated logo and a look back through their history.
It felt like something big was brewing behind the scenes, and in announcing a return to brewing Sam has kept us all on our toes once again.
The rebirth of Derelict will chart a different course, with Sam brewing beers specifically for his local North Canterbury taproom, The Good Drop in Rangiora.
“When we closed Derelict Brewing, we genuinely believed that chapter had come to an end,” Sam says. “Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of what we built and everything that came with it, the beers, the friendships, the support from our community, and the people who backed us along the way. It was a real privilege to have so many people enjoy something we poured so much of ourselves into.
“At the time, stepping away felt like the right decision. We’d achieved what we set out to do, and we never had any plans or expectations of starting another brewery or trying to recreate what Derelict had become.
“After some time away, though, I realised just how much I missed the creative side of brewing. I missed sitting down with an idea, experimenting with ingredients, chasing a flavour, and eventually seeing something that started as a thought become a beer people could enjoy.
“When the opportunity came up to work with Dave Wilmott, Paul Gnad, and the team at The Good Drop, it just felt like the right fit. It gives me the chance to get back into brewing in a way that feels exciting and sustainable, without trying to recreate what Derelict was.
“This isn’t Derelict Brewing picking up where we left off, and we’re not trying to go back and do things the way we did before. I’m incredibly grateful for everything Derelict was, but this is something different.
“There is no brewery just yet, so for now we’ll be contract brewing.
“The focus will be on keeping things local and connected. The beers will be available through The Good Drop in Rangiora, with only small amounts heading elsewhere.”
For beer fans, you know what that means, right? You’re going to have to travel to Rangiora to try these beers! And a big part of me thinks this is a very good thing. Local beer, strongly connected with its community is just as important as big beer readily available at the supermarket. We don’t have to everything at our fingertips, all the time.
The Good Drop is deeply connected to the Derelict story.
“We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with The Good Drop in Rangiora for this next chapter. Dave, Paul, and the team have been part of the Derelict story from the very beginning — some of our very first kegs, including Rubus and the original 10 Acre Pale Ale were poured there. Over the past six years, they’ve poured more than 140 different Derelict beers, and it’s hard to imagine a better place to continue that journey. We’re looking forward to building on that long-standing relationship and sharing plenty more beers together.
“I’m also really looking forward to collaborating with other breweries. We’ve already got a couple of exciting projects underway, with plenty more ideas being talked about. One of the things I’m most excited about is opening the recipe books again and bringing back some of the old Derelict favourites. There are beers people still ask about, and it’ll be pretty special to brew some of those again.
“At the same time, I’m just as excited about creating new beers and exploring fresh ideas. Having the freedom to revisit a few favourites while pushing into something new is probably one of the things I’m looking forward to most.
At the end of the day, nothing has really changed. I just want to brew beers that I’m excited to drink myself. That has always been the goal, and it probably always will be.
“I’m genuinely excited for what’s ahead. One beer at a time.”