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World’s most remote brewery builds local following
The world’s most remote microbrewery on the Falkland Islands is building a local following, despite difficulties with supply and a market largely unused to real ale.
Port Stanley, capital of the Falklands where the brewery is based
Opened by fifth generation islander Jeff Halliday last month, such has been the success of his first beer that he has released a second and has further plans to enlarge his brewery.
Speaking to the drinks business, he explained that a stint working in the UK several years ago had introduced him to real ale and upon returning to the Falklands he determined to set up his own microbrewery – although it was not until last year that his plan came to fruition.
“I wanted to set up the business as I’m a big fan of real ale,” he said. “I did some work in the UK and discovered it but there were no breweries on the Falklands and so I decided to set something up.
“I thought, ‘if other small breweries can work on a small output so can I.”
Having ordered the necessary equipment, he was accepted onto a scheme run by Stanley Services, which provides grants to islanders looking to better themselves and expand the island’s economy.
Coming to the UK last October, he took and passed two courses in practical brewing run by BrewLabs.
His first beer, Maiden Bitter – named after local flower Pale Maiden – was released last month and won a contract with the Malvina House Hotel for 100 litres every 10 days.
Maiden Bitter has been such a success that Halliday told db he had completely run out of stock and had also just introduced a new bitter – Longdon Pride, named after one of the mountains outside Stanley.
In comparison to Maiden, which was a lighter ale, Longdon is a fully fledged best bitter.
Halliday said that one of the chief difficulties in selling beer on the island is the predominance of lager such as Heineken and Budweiser.
“The islanders aren’t used to darker beers,” he conceded and a further hindrance is that most pubs do not have cellars, still less any knowledge of how to run a proper cellar – another job for Halliday.
Although the cost of beer on the island is hardly that of London, or even some rural parts of the UK, at £2.50 to £3.20 a pint depending on where it is sold
Jeff Halliday (centre) pours the first pint at the Malvina House Hotel, flanked by manager Carl Stroud and head barman Ray. Photo credit: Penguin News
(more expensive at the Malvina), the beer is the “premium” offering on the island where a can of Boddingtons can be bought for £1.80 in a pub.
As the beer has sold well however, more of a challenge is keeping up with demand due to the length of time it takes Halliday to receive vital ingredients and equipment.
“From ordering to when I can use it is usually two to three months,” he explained.
“The cost of raw materials is quite high so it will be more expensive.”
With plans to expand the brewery, he currently has equipment and supplies en route from the UK and once it arrives he will be able to grow from his current six casks a month to, “a two and a half barrel plant with nine casks per brew”.
So despite the hurdles, hopes of further success are high. Halliday is keen to sell to other pubs on the island and to the military bases as well and he has had calls asking for stock.
“I’ve got interest from the other pubs but I can’t supply them yet. Last thing I want to do is promise them beer and then run out,” he said, adding that he will be in a better position to supply more venues when his new equipment arrives.
Just for the record – Jeff’s surname is Halliday, not Halliway. Hope his business is successful, look forward to trying it when I get back there…….
Thanks Ant they have now changed the name on the article. Longdon Pride is going down well with good remarks from the local community and visitors. I will make sure that there is some on when you return.
Economic development of the Falkland Islands, inspite of new resources of fishing and offshore oil, is probably a big challenge, in part because of the community’s small population, isolation, and Argentine embargo.
Beer is one of the classic foundations of community development in Europe, a valuable component for its relationship to jobs and providing an important local product that is seen as constrained from long distance transport by its liquid weight related to value and short shelf-life.
Here in Victoria, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, there has been an amazing new “craft beer” industry emerging that meets the constraints – low-volume, natural-ingredients local beer production – whose high quality commands higher prices.
Currently there is a local beer festival in Victoria that celebrates these craft beers (http://www.mondaymag.com/news/159775815.html), and that might be similar in a way with Halliway’s entrepreneurship in the Falkland Islands.
One more reason for more tourists to come to the Falklands – to enjoy a unique Maiden Bitter and Longdon Pride!
Hi Rupert,
Your article reads well, but unfortunately my name is Halliday not Halliway. Any chance that you could correct this.
Jeff Halliday
Sorry about that. I’ll change it! All the best and look forward to trying your beer one day.
Matthew (web admin)
Had a swift half of Longdon Pride at the Malvina the other lunchtime and am looking forward to a few more on Friday night. I can confirm that it is a great pint with good flavour. Well done Jeff!
And on an ecological front think of all the beer miles being saved by not transporting quite so much pre-brewed beer halfway across the world. well deserving of a grant from Friends of the Earth.
Cheers!
Pat
Bonne journée.
Je suis un collectionneur de longue date d’étiquettes de bière, verres et des couronnes, et je voudrais vous parler de votre mission, vous collection.fenk bière me rend très heureux avec elle. sincèrement CHARLES
Karel Uhrík
Hostalkova 559
75622
République tchèque
Dear Media Representative
at the Drinks Business
bound Falkland Islands
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Step
1) During April in 2016, there is no heavy burden of air ticket toward Falkland Islands.
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there, visiting visa is not required as long as I follow current regulation,
not work for income, profit before acquiring of work related visa in there.
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