Blenheim brewer hops to it

BY RACHEL YOUNG

When Soren Eriksen was given a 20 litre home brewing kit as a present it became the catalyst for a career change.

Originally from Denmark, Mr Eriksen followed his partner, Monique Aves, to her home country New Zealand, where he worked as a biochemist.

But his dream was to produce his own commercially viable beer.

In September 2008 he started working at Blenheim's Renaissance Brewing Company as a brewer.

Mr Eriksen said he has been "piggybacking" off Renaissance, with owner Brian Thiel and brewer Andy Deuchars providing help, mentoring and equipment for him to set up his brand.

In between working fulltime, he came up with the name "8 Wired Brewing" (kudos to New Zealand's No8 wire mentality), sourced his hops from the top of the South Island and came up with a business plan.

Last year he released his first beer, a pale brown ale called ReWired which he quickly followed up with an Indian pale ale called HopWired.

He brewed six batches of 2000 litres; two batches of HopWired, two of ReWired, one of a smoked porter which is yet to be released and one batch of imperial stout, also not released yet.

So far, three batches or 6000 litres have sold locally and nationally.

He said seeing his beer leave the brewery was a great feeling.

"It's like seeing your kids go to school for the first time."

Mr Eriksen said he's just a small player in craft brewing terms. For example, Renaissance produces 100,000 litres a year.

Mr Eriksen produces several test batches which he experiments with using different techniques as he perfects his craft.

He tries to create traditional beers with a twist. For example, his porter will be smokey rather than a traditional dark malty beer.

"I want to make some really interesting styles as there's not a big advance for that kind of beer [in New Zealand] yet."

Mr Eriksen said whether his brand grows will be based on demand, but either way he plans to continue working at the brewery, which is enabling his dream to come true.

- The Marlborough Express