Brewing REEF in Tropical Paradise

Fiji’s latest beer on tap, REEF, is certainly making a name for itself. The country’s newest brewery, which brews premium craft beers, has opened with the beer pouring at select tap rooms across Fiji.

Reef Brewing Company

Reef Brewing Company is bucking the global trend in boutique, artisan brewing, by locally producing its ‘REEF’ label beers in small batches purely for draught consumption.

REEF is brewed at its custombuilt plant on Palm Tree Road in Wailoaloa, Nadi where master brewer Andrew Larsen, an internationally recognized brewing consultant, designed the initial range of beers.

The current lineup of beers available on tap include a crisp, flavoursome ‘Island Lager’, a smooth, hoppy ‘Island Pale Ale’, and a dark, spicy ‘Midnight Reef ’. Soon to join the ranks is a light and fragrant ’Tropical Beer’, for those who enjoy a sweeter beverage with less alcohol.

REEF is being warmly embraced by beer aficionados at select resorts, restaurants and nightclubs; with more locations to be added. The company is pushing boundaries, showcasing some genuinely great batch-brewed beer and having some fun while going about it. According to the company’s owner and managing director, Liam Hindle, there was no boutique, batch-brewed local craft beers available on draught in Fiji – until REEF.

As the proprietor of some of capital Suva’s top night spots and managing director of Victoria Wines and Spirits, Mr Hindle is a well-established and long-standing member of the city’s hospitality industry.

He is well known for his innovative approach to the industry as well as his expertise in the beverage sector.

“When we started Victoria Wines in 1990, wines were mainly oxidized and in flagons and described as either Red or White; we now sell over 500 different wines of over 20 different varieties from five different continents,” Mr

Hindle said.

“Fiji needs to make a similar journey with beer - and with beer we can make it here.”

To help spread the word with these new beers Victoria Wines is following the popular overseas trend of setting up to serve these beers in its bottle shops in Suva, Denarau and Wailoaloa. “Customers can either bring their own bottles or containers or use ones provided by the shop, but there is now the chance to drink these great draught beers at home or at picnics and parties.”