BEARN’S KUMARA BREWERY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2821, 6 October 1885, Page 2

BEARN’S KUMARA BREWERY.

No one who has watched the progress of the extension of the old brewery on the Main road near the borough boundary, and the improvements that have lately been effected under the new proprietary, can fall to have been impressed with the stability of the structure and the apparent permanency of the business which is being carried on within. It is now nearly three years since Mr J. S. Pearn, the spirited owner, started to regenerate the premises and to introduce now materials for the brewing of beer. The principal improvements comprise a new water boiler, capable of holding 400 gallons, well built up with bricks on silver pine piles, a new copper boiler capable of holding 940 gallons, and a brewer’s refrigerator which, if required, will cool sixteen barrels of beer per hour. This refrigerator, which is manufactured of copper, is a departure from the ordinary pattern. Instead of having a stand all the way up on each end, as is usually the case, only a small brass bracketpiece is screwed on to the brass bend of the under-tube on each end. The other ends, which terminate in bends, are left perfectly bare, the advantage being that, in cleaning, every impurity can be removed. On each tube are two brass caps, one on each end, which can be screwed out at a moment’s notice, and cleared should any obstruction occur. The tubes are oval-shaped, and have been drawn through a steel die, which imparts a beautiful skin to the metal, besides improving the solidity of it. On the top of the refrigerator is a copper V pan, with gauge strainers, while carried on brackets from each end is a wort distributor made of 3-in. copper pipe, with a T in the centre, where it joins on to the liquor vat; this pipe is an immense improvement, on account of the pressure from the liquor being checked before going on to the V pan on the refrigerator. By using this pipe, which is accurately perforated underneath, the full bore of the wort-valve can be turned on without inconvenience being experienced by splashing over the refrigerator. The refrigerator is highly spoken of by brewers in all parts of the colony, and Mr Pearn is the first to have introduced one into Kumara.

It is not necessary for us in this article to enter into an explanation of the process of brewing. The successful brewing of beer depends much on the kind of water and the cleanliness of the vessels employed for making it, as well for those used in its storage or conservation when it has passed through all the stages of brewing. It is sufficient to say that on the premises there is a well of good water, affording a never-failing supply ; whilst for other general purposes there is a running

stream or creek, upon which a dam is built, and from this source there is a ram for pumping water into a tank 28 feet above the water-dam, at the rate of 1200 gallons per day. Mr Pearn has also a good brewer. There are three cellars, each capable of holding 20 hhds. each. So that, taking it as a whole, Mr Pearn has now completed the most perfect arrangements for brewing a large and continue ous supply of good beer, and for carrying on an extensive trade in it, which has for some time been begun. {! Pearn’s heer” has already become very popular, and is largely in demand wherever its good qualities are known. The success Mr Pearn has achieved by his unspaiing efforts and expense to brew a good article have been so far rewarded as to induce him to commence bottling ; and this work is now in active operation.