Treachers Lane in Havelock North has welcomed a Hawke’s Bay favourite to its neighbourhood, with Giant Brewing opening its new public house.
While housed in the old Subway site, the building has been completely gutted and undergone a gorgeous refurbishment, to become what brewer and director Chris Ormond calls a “modern pub”.
“For the past few years we’ve been in Donnelly Street retailing our Giant beer three days a week. It has always been in the back of our minds that we’d like to create a place where people can come and enjoy a drink on site and it’s something our customers have been asking for,” says Chris.
That dream became a reality for partners Chris, Tom Ormond and George McKenzie earlier this year when a couple bought into the business. “They saw an opportunity to expand and add a hospitality aspect to what Giant Brewing does. So between all of us, we’ve set up this new establishment.”
The Giant public house offers a range of wines, ciders, cocktails and spirits and of course beer, with guest tipples from craft breweries around New Zealand alongside Giant’s own brews.
“It’s like a contemporary version of an old school pub with its leaners and tables,” says Chris. “It’s a place to come and relax, have a beer and some great food. We hope it will appeal to a really broad cross section of people. Everyone’s welcome.”
The food menu is as varied as the beer selection. There’s traditional pub food – think burgers and fries but with a modern twist — through to noodle bowls, fresh bar snacks and salads.
The small brewery attached to the pub gives Chris the facility to brew his own beer including the incredibly popular Giant NZ Pale Ale. And from this weekend, takeaway flagon fills are back on the menu.
Giant Brewing public house is open six days a week for drinks and food:
Tuesday to Thursday from mid-afternoon.
Friday to Sunday from midday.