Sunshine, scenery, and a cold beer—Marlborough knows how to show off. But when that beer is a Boom Town APA and your interviewee colleague is Clive Macfarlane, the man behind the brews and the banter, you’re not just having a good Sunday—you’re starting a great story.
Boom Town has been pouring good times since 2018. Its taproom and beer garden is tucked into the lush grounds of Forrest Wine Estate, just five minutes from its brewing partner down the road inBlenheim / Te Waiharakeke.
It’s the kind of place where wine and beer shake hands and say, “Let’s give the people options.”
Clive’s journey started in wine, with a fine wine store that morphed into an importing and tasting business. When he noticed Marlborough had no ‘real’ Blenheim beer, the idea bubbled up: Why not? Boom Town, Blenheim’s cheeky nickname, was born. Clive started by selling bottles and growlers from the wine shop. A little unconventional, but that’s Boom Town’s vibe.
Tourism is Marlborough’s bread and butter, and the post-Covid years have been no picnic. With big brewers hogging the taps and wine still the region’s golden child, getting visitors to sip local beer has been an uphill climb. But Clive, along with DNA Brewing’s Dave Nicholls, is leading the charge.
Boom Town’s lineup boasts seven beers, a cider & alcoholic ginger beer. I sampled four on a taproom flight, and — the Alabama APA definitely tickles the tastebuds. The Pelorus Pilsner was sunshine in a glass, perfect for lazy afternoons and long weekends. Whites Bay IPA a close second while the Kaituna Hazy IPA matches benchmark IPAs out there. Each one named as a nod to local landmarks.
The Pelorus Pilsner was sunshine in a glass, perfect for lazy afternoons and long weekends.
Now, about that Alabama APA — what’s the Marlborough link? Clive grins and explains, “Alabama Road is one of the longest roads in Blenheim, and the American ‘APA’ connection was too good to miss.” Fair enough. Local roots with a global wink.
The Boom Town taproom leans into its wine country backdrop. Set beside Forrest Wines’ sprawling lawn, guests can choose between grain or grape, bring a picnic, enjoy the delicious offerings from the two food trucks on site or dive into the platters on offer from the cellar door. It’s family-friendly, dog-friendly, and just plain friendly. There’s space to spread out, sunshine to soak up, and lawn games to keep things lively.
I met Clive during a Hop’n’Grape tour, part of a family reunion. Our chat was cut short — he had deliveries to make — but true to Boom Town form, we wrapped things up at Blenheim Airport over a Boom Town Marlborough Lager, which you’ll find as one of five Boom Town bottles in the fridge at the airport café.
Clive’s parting words best sum things up: “Basically, Boom Town is a beer for Boom Town. A Beer for a town known for its wine — real Blenheim beer.”