Just outside Paihia and nestled in the heart of the village of Haruru, PhatHouse Brewing has crafted itself a trendy Bar & Taproom from a tatty old shed which used to be amongst other things a successful garden centre.
On entering you are greeted by the warm energy of the bar, a huge wrap around mural and friendly knowledgable staff who know everything PhatHouse and craft beer related. They also know a lot about music and how to put on a good event.
Nationally acclaimed DJs and bands have often been seen gracing the stage at The PhatHouse Brewery Bar. The PhatHouse philosophy is to bring in good quality entertainment to The Bay Of Islands so people don’t have to travel long distance to the big city to have a good night out, thus reducing the local community’s accumulated carbon footprint. This is further achieved by people pooling their rides in the form of getting a shared lift with the PhatHouse courtesy bus.
The Phathouse Team have always been all about keeping it local. From personally delivering kegs and bottled beer, thereby keeping their product as fresh as possible for their customers and clients, to supporting other local businesses and causes. They have recently started sourcing hops for some of their beers from the newly operating Northland Hops just outside Kerikeri and you won’t see a wine from outside of Northland on the drinks menu. All the tap beer served at the bar is produced on the premises at the brewery end of the building, which can be viewed through the ranch slider within the bar itself.
Recently, PhatHouse Brewing has teamed up with The Ocean Mind Project, a non profit action orientated organisation, whose mission is to encourage awareness of all things ocean in a positive way. By putting on community supported quizzes and live art events at the brewery they are able to educate all about what’s going on in our global oceans in a fun and immersive way. The amazing ocean themed mural which adorns the bar is a result of one of these events.
Coincidentally, International Muralist Jason Botkin was in the area when the inaugural “Live Art For Oceans Event” was taking place and loved the concept of showcasing locally based nationally acclaimed artists for a live art exhibition at the brewery so much that he wanted to be a part of it. As the artists were painting for the day, bands and DJs created the vibe. There was a silent auction and all the while The Ocean Mind Project was raising money and awareness for the oceans. Since the event Jason has gone on to continue his work in Paris and Spain.
For this years Brew of Islands Festival, PhatHouse Brewing Co. will be bringing 8 different beers, including a Fresh Hop Pale Ale brewed with locally grown hops, the ever popular Riwaka Dreaming Hazy and, made especially for the Festival, the sweet and creamy Marshmallow Stout on nitro. They’ll also be bringing along their Juicy Berry Cider to keep the non-beer drinkers refreshed. The PhatHouse Crew are totally fizzing to be a part of the Brew Of Islands Festival again. Look out for them in the main hall.
Brew of Islands is on on the 26th & 27th of July in Kerikeri
www.brewofislands.co.nz
