Brewing beer is their ‘cup of tea’
Anew brewing business on the Ka¯piti Coast has no employees – only bosses. The Independence Collective, a group of people with intellectual disabilities, are preparing to launch their own beer label as the first step towards them becoming business owners rather than just workers.
Neville Pugh said that while their plan was to eventually branch into fashion and food, craft beer was a good start and something he was quite fond of.
‘‘Beer is just the cup of tea for me.’’
The collective was formed early this year by six people frustrated at being overlooked by employers, as well as some who already had jobs but were capable of more than just menial work.
The group was fundraising to finance its first run of beer. But the venture would be a business, not a charity or not-for-profit, once their product was ready for sale.
Pugh already had a part-time job but wanted his own business and the opportunity for financial independence.
‘‘I’m planning to make a lot of money and show other people how to do it.’’
The 33-year-old was pleased with how the group had worked together on all aspects of the project, from choosing a name and deciding on the flavour to working on a launch party and marketing plan.
The first run of beer was named ‘‘Neville’’ – a name Pugh thought fitting because ‘‘everyone says it’s not named after me but it really is’’.
Collective member Janie Martin said people with intellectual disabilities were too often ignored by employers who didn’t give them a chance.
‘‘We’re just like everybody else but a little bit unique. That’s actually a good thing.’’
Beer was a product that appealed to plenty of people and she hoped the collective’s label would soon be stocked in Wellington bars and supermarkets.
‘‘People will choose to drink it because it’s unique, like us.’’
The group had teamed up with Ka¯piti business Duncan’s Brewery, which would make the initial batches in its brewing equipment.
Owner George Duncan said it was a new experience for him and the group had been clear they wanted to drive the project.
He told them to buy a range of beers and undertake their own independent blind tasting before deciding on what they wanted.
‘‘Now I go away, create it and throw them some samples. Their choice was a good match with the brewery.’’
Once the beer was made, the rest would be up to the collective.
Duncan thought they had a shot at commercial success. ‘‘They’ve got a good chance, the beer will be good and there’s a great story behind it.’’