Opunake, New Zealand 🌍

Opunake (#nz81)

Sam Prosser set up a wind-powered brewery: Hawera & Normanby Star, Issue 3006, 22 December 1891, Page 2

Mr. S. Prosser is now in a fair way with starting his brewery. It has taken time to have all things properly paid up, but the turn of the lane has come. Malt crushing was in hand two days ago - that looks like business. Water is pumped by a wind-wheel, which power is used also for crushing malt. Time will not permit of a full description, which I must unavoidably hold over.

More details on what the brewery was producing: Taranaki Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 9315, 15 February 1892, Page 2

Mr Pettigrew has left his old store, which has been turned by the enterprise of Mr S. Prosser into a very compact little brewery, which will supply that great want of the Briton, "a glass of good beer." The present plant is capable of brewing five or six hogsheads, two or three times a week, and is therefore ample for present consumption, but no doubt with the advance which the opening of the jetty will make in the district the plant will require considerable extension. So far Mr Prosser has brewed a beer which is more like the "old October" of the English farm than suitable for coastal trade, and while on Mr Prossor's invitation enjoying this pleasant reminder of past days, one fears the effect of such a tonic dispensed from country hotels; but for private consumption such a pure, pleasant, invigorating drink is rarely to be obtained in the colony. Mr Prosser having shown what he can brew will now tone his manufacture to the local requirements.

The brewery quickly moved location, and switched to steam power: Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 3151, 18 June 1892, Page 2

Middleton's is still the fine well appointed hotel and centre of sociality it was in former years. At the other end, in a smaller way, Prosser is still in the old line, and ventured into the brewery business some twelve months ago in what was formerly Pettigrew's store. He is now in more central premises. This store, with additions, taking advantage of the ground formation for cellarage, has been fitted up as a compact and quite a model brewery of about 6 hhds capacity. The motive power in the past has been a windmill sail. A steam engine and boiler is now in course of being fitted. This alone indicates progress, though not to teetotal liking. Still, while the demand remains, requirements must be met, and a better operator could not readily be found. Mr. S. Prosser may be said to have inherited brewery qualifications, his father before him having spent 25 years in responsibility under the Whitney's, of London, who still figure among the celebrated brewers of the day.
Near by is what still carries the name of the Opunake Cordial Factory. This, however, is an incorrect designation. It is a curiosity shop, beside which Captain Cuttle's, made famous by Diokens, would have to stoop low as to variety, although it might carry the prize for quantity.

A history of Opunake relates that the brewery and cordial works were powered by a canvas sailed Dutch mill: Opunake Times, 31 December 1946, Page 3

A PIONEERING HISTORY
OPUNAKE AND DISTRICT
...
In 1887 a Gold rush was in progress in the South Island and Mr. S. Prosser, proprietor of Gentle’s Hotel was caught by the Gold Fever and after disposing of his interests in the Hotel to Mr. Crawford, he left for the South Island with a number of others in quest of gold.
The Town had now settled down and there was not a great deal to report from day to day, until late in the year 1889, another fire of some importance struck the town, Gentle’s Buildings, including the Hotel and Union Bank being destroyed by fire. Early in the following year Mr. S. Prosser returned to Opunake and purchased Crowthers Store, and quickly converted it into Prosser’s Hotel, securing the License from Gentle’s Hotel for it. He also purchased Pettigrew and Laybourne's general store, and this he converted into a brewery and cordial works. The power for this was derived from a large windmill, of the Dutch type with canvas sails, and it was attached to the western side of the building on a raised stand. The Hotel was on the site of the present Opunake Hotel whilst the Brewery was on the section opposite the present Opunake Motors premises.
...
In 1893, Mr. Prosser disposed of his interests in the Opunake Hotel to Mr. Tommy Knowles who enlarged and modernised the buildings. Mr. Prosser closed the Brewery down and ceased the manufacture of sparkling ales, stout and cordials, but Mr. John Stewart opened the present cordial works, which today are operated by Messrs. Boyd and McCrone, and business in the "Soft drinks" line went on as usual.

Associated people

• Samuel Prosser