In a stew over local brews

BY GEOFF GRIGGS

Most people who live in Blenheim's southern suburbs may well be delighted that the former Redwoodtown SuperValue supermarket has just reopened as a Countdown, but I'm not one of them.

In fact, I'm extremely disappointed and downright grumpy.

Although most shoppers will be anticipating lower prices at New Zealand's much-vaunted "best value supermarket", there is a major downside – since becoming a Countdown, several excellent products from smaller and local suppliers have vanished from the shelves at my local store.

It's the result of a problem which afflicts all Countdown stores. Unlike owner-operated supermarket chains, such as New World and FreshChoice, all Countdowns are controlled centrally from Auckland and supplied exclusively from warehouses there and in Christchurch. It's a system which doesn't allow individual branches leeway to buy products direct from suppliers.

Take beer for example. Over the last few years the Redwoodtown supermarket's previous owners worked hard to supplement their range of mainstream and international brands with a selection of beers from some of this country's leading craft brewers.

Alongside beers from Marlborough brewers Renaissance, Moa and 8 Wired, they offered other Kiwi craft beers from the likes of Harrington's, Emerson's, Epic and Wigram.

Now those beers have disappeared. The store's beer chiller, whose top shelf used to accommodate a mouth-watering line-up of pilseners, pale ales, porters, stouts and wheat beers – many sold by the single bottle – is now home to yet more cartons of the usual ubiquitous big-name brands.

At a time when premium and craft beers represent the only growth sector in the entire liquor category, I think Countdown's policy is incomprehensible.

I'm not the only person who is mystified.

"Our beers sold really well [at Redwood Supervalue]" noted Soren Eriksen, of Blenheim's 8 Wired Brewing Company.

"Since we started brewing they've taken a constant supply."

The lack of craft beers at the new Redwoodtown Countdown will be an inconvenience for those of us who live in Blenheim's southern suburbs and prefer to buy our craft beers locally.

Brian Thiel, of Blenheim's Renaissance Brewing Company, was also "disappointed that people in that area who buy our beers will no longer be able to do so and will have to drive into town to get them".

It's ironic that while New Zealand craft beers have disappeared from the shelves at the Redwoodtown supermarket (and have never been available at the Countdown in Blenheim's town centre), two other local supermarkets have built formidable reputations for their excellent beer ranges.

Blenheim New World and FreshChoice Springlands are both well known for their selections of imported and domestic craft beers; the latter even offering beers from Renaissance and Moa on tap!

Kiwi craft beers aside, Countdown's massive central buying power has resulted in a remarkable deal this week which I cannot ignore.

Krombacher Pils is one of Germany's biggest-selling brands and, at just $8.99 for a six-pack, or $2.99 for a 660ml bottle, is an absolute steal.

It is pleasantly malty, with sweetish grainy and honeyish notes, followed by a quenching citrusy hop dryness. Assuming it's nice and fresh, it will knock spots off most of Europe's big-name premium lagers.

Give it a try, but be quick. My guess is, at those prices it won't be around for long.

Cheers!

- The Marlborough Express