PNG boutique beers winning international awards

Since venturing into the boutique brewery market three years ago, Vitis Industries has expanded its range of beers and won medals at two international competitions. General manager, Sergey Mosin, says five new beers will go on sale this year.

Vitis’ brewery is only the second (legal) brewery in PNG.

From selling just two beers three years ago, Vitis is now selling 12.

“Our sales are good and constantly growing. Our current production is not big and all produced beers are sold. We have our own two bottle shops in Port Moresby and one bottle shop in Wau,” says Mosin.

The range is also sold in some supermarkets.

Mosin says his brewery uses batch-brewing, a method often used these days by boutique breweries, which produce a traditional style of beer.

“It takes about 60 days to complete the bottling process,” he says.

“This method guarantees high quality and outstanding taste. As a result our beers won medals in the Berlin International Beer Competition in 2019 and the Melbourne Beer Competition in 2019.”

The most popular beers are Classic Lager, Imperial Porter and Wheat Ale.

Last year he added Imperial Porter, Wheat Ale, Pilsner Ale, Honey Lager, Pineapple Lager and this year he expects to produce Margarita Lager, Cherry Lager, Orange Lager, Blonde Ale and Coffee Stout.

The most powerful, he says, is Imperial Porter, a strong traditional style with 9.5 per cent alcohol.

“It follows the old tradition of Irish and Baltic stouts and porters made from Australian malts.”

“The porter is my favourite beer and reminds me of my young days in the USSR. It is strong, with a dense body, sweet, with a rich hops flavour, some hint of vanilla and a dark rich colour.”

Brew master is Phil Magic, who has worked in various breweries in Australia and New Zealand.

“The main idea behind the manufacturing of our range of spirits and liquors is to utilise locally grown agriculture crops and convert them into valuable and long-lasting products,” explains Mosin.

As well as packaged drinks, Vitis owns a 1200-hectare agriculture estate with coffee plantations, vanilla plantations and honey bees at Wau in Morobe Province, which produces 100 per cent Arabica coffee, vanilla essence and natural honey.

“We produce green coffee beans for export, as well as roasted coffee beans, drip coffee, instant liquid coffee and coffee capsules for Nespresso coffee makers,” says Mosin.

Overall, the company employs about 1000 people. Five hundred are employed at its Nine Mile factory in Port Moresby, including in the brewery section. Another 250 permanent staff work at the Wau estate, where 300 seasonal staff are also employed. – KEVIN McQUILLAN

The porter is my favourite beer. It is strong, with a dense body, sweet, with a rich hops flavour, some hint of vanilla and a dark rich colour.