Several Wellington bars say they will drop iconic
Dunedin-brewed beer Emerson's after the brewery was sold to
liquor giant Lion today.
Wellington bar Hashigo Zake was quick to react to the news,
issuing a media release saying it was "saddened"
to hear of the sale of "New Zealand's best known independent
craft berwer".
Owner Dominic Kelly said the bar would let its stocks of
Emerson's run down and not replace them.
The decision was based on fears that Japanese brewing giant
Kirin, which owns Lion, would start "meddling" with
Emerson's.
At least one other Wellington bar specialising in craft brews
was also planning to drop Emerson's, Fairfax media reported.
Brewery founder Richard Emerson said the brewery would remain
as a standalone business unit within Lion and would continue
to produce the same "great beers" from the same brewery with
the same people.
"It's business as usual for Emerson's."
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