THE SWAN BREWERY.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 259, 15 September 1874, Page 5

THE SWAN BREWERY.

In February last, we gave a full description of the works in connection with the above establishment, detailing at length the alterations which were then being made, and giving an idea of the improvements intended to be carried out. Since that time, very much has been done towards bringing the works to that state of perfectness and completeness which it has from the first been the object of theproprietors,MessrsGoodger and Kuhtee, i

to effect. They have spared no expense to this end, and although any adequate return in the meantime iB perhaps not to be thought o f , still there can be no doubt that eventual'y their outlay will bring its own reward. •, Since the publication of the article we have alluded to, the proprietors have added a soda water machine to their stock, and are now in full work with the oordial manufacturing part of their business. The machine is what is known as the No. 1 machine,,and make* 300 dozen bottles per day. In connectiorfwith this machine also, they have a bottling machine and a pressure indicator. The former is a great acquisition to the machine ; besides the saving in point of time, it enables more of the gas to be kept in the water, and thus turns out a superior article. The indicator is of use in determining the pressure, which can always be kept at one point, so that the liquors being bottled can be made of an equal strength. Thus it will be seen that the proprietors have every convenience for turning out an unlimited quantity of aerated drinks, while no expense is spared to keep up the quality. Besides this,, all kinds of cordials are now being manufactured,—-wines, syrups, &c, &c, and orange and quinine bitters, also. Racks are provided in the bottlingroom for the reception of 10,000 bottles, if necessary, so that the supply is not likely to fall short of the demand.

The brew-house is situate immediately behind the bottling-room, and in connection with it improvements are to- be made on a very extensive scale. It is intended shortly to erect an engine close behind the brewhouse, which will supply every convenience in the matter of brewing, and enable the process to be gone through very much more speedily than at present. An improvement, also, which will then be put in use, and which is at present lying on the premises, is a patent refrigerator. This is to be fitted up between the vats, and consists of a number of pipes filled with cold water, over which the beer travels in its passage from one vat to another.

The engine, also, will supply driving power to every part of the machinery and works. The soda water machine will be thus worked, and a great saving of labour will be affected in connection with it alone. In the bottlingroom is the malt-grinder at present in use. This has to be worked by hand, and two men can turn out only some twenty to thirty bushels a day. An improved machine has been ordered, and when steam power is communicated to it, no difficulty will be experienced in turning out close upon forty bushels an hour.

The malting-house, granary, and kiln are now completed. Great expense has been gone to with this part of the works. The first malting is now under way, under the superintendence of Mr Kuhtze, who is a malster by trade. The kiln is the largest in the Province, we believe,Tind differs from most others in that, instead of being of tiles, the roof is of sheet iron. This is an improvement on the tiles. The kiln-floor has accommodation for some, eighty bushels of grain. Very great care has been taken to ensure perfection in the malting-house, which has a well-laid bed of stone and concrete, overlaid with cement. The granary has accommodation for something like 4000 bushels of barley, which quantity it is reckoned is now stored there.

The whole of the works are on a scale of magnitude which is surprising. The proprietors are evidently aiming at doing a veryextensive business, and we are sure that every one will wish them that success which, if not in the power of mortals to command, it is allowed to be a praiseworthy aim to deserve. And to deserve it, no visitor to the Swan Brewery can doubt that Messrs Goodger and Kuhtze have done their best. The brewery is a great credit to the district, and will compare very favourably with those in Dunedin in point of completeness and convenience as regards its working plant.