ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Culture
CRAFT BEER COUP
Jarryd Coutts, 32, of Wellington is still coming to terms with the fact that he paid just eight New Zealand dollars for a pint of craft beer, which was not from a shaky trestle table in an ageing rugby clubrooms in Tawa, but from a slick central city bar with functioning plumbing and mood lighting.
The pint which has left Coutts stunned was purchased at Churly’s CBD on Willis Street, home of Behemoth Brewing Company, for just $8.
“I thought maybe it was some sort of cruel happy hour prank,” said Coutts, still clutching his Bright As Day IPA like a newborn baby. “But it was real. A proper Behemoth pint. Eight bucks. In Wellington. And not once did the bartender ask if I was a club member or tell me to mind the carpet as well,” said Coutts drinking his beer and knowing his bank account won’t be ruined if he gets a couple more.
“I was walking down Willis and thought, maybe I’ll just grab a dumpling. But then I saw the Behemoth logo. Next thing I know, I’m holding a cold pint of Bright As Day IPA and asking the bartender if he’s made a mistake with the EFTPOS machine.”
Staff at Churly’s confirmed the price is not a mistake, but part of an initiative to make good beer like Behemoth accessible, and also to remind people that you don’t need to trek out to a forgotten clubrooms in Tawa to drink affordably.
“Some people think you need to be surrounded by rugby memorabilia, yellowing walls, and a $2 pool table with one leg shorter than the rest to get a cheap beer,” said duty manager Alex. “We’re just trying to shift that narrative.”
At press time, Coutts was seen calling several mates to share the news, yelling, “It’s not a stitch-up! Eight bucks, bro. Behemoth! Central city! No smell of Deep Heat anywhere! Get down to Churly’s CBD now.”
More to come.
