The award-winning brewers who have no interest in 'taking over the world'

Tuesday, 2 August 2022

Ralph Bungard’s Three Boys Brewery won big at the 2022 NZ Brewer’s Guild Beer Awards.

The last place an award-winning Christchurch brewer wants you to find his beer is in a 24-pack at the supermarket.

Three Boys Brewery was recently recognised for its skills in beer making at the NZ Brewer’s Guild Beer Awards, but as the company approaches its 18th birthday, owner Ralph Bungard still prioritises the environment and health of his patrons over all else.

The company has been 100% electric from day one, pays its staff a living wage “at a minimum”, and don’t compromise on price “so everyone is paid fairly, throughout the whole process,” Bungard said.

At the awards, it took out the overall champion spot, winning Champion Exhibitor, as well as a trophy for its lager. In total, they took home three gold, seven silver and two bronze medals.

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The brewery is best known for its Oyster Stout, but has also won awards for a dozen other brews.

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Bungard said the awards felt all the more earned knowing the judges included seasoned professionals from Australia, and people who had judged beers from all around the world.

“They bring a point of difference. It takes away any bias, and resets the mark of where your product stands against other countries.”

While chuffed his skills were being recognised, his fingers were far from crossed for a major retailer to pick up his label.

“Beer is a lovely social drink, unlike some other alcoholic products… but most of the competition [in the beer market] comes from two or three huge players.”

Bungard said it was impossible to compete with their prices, especially because he refused to compromise on his price in order to make it attractive to large retailers. He could only assume where large breweries were cutting their costs.

Ralph Bungard owns the business with his wife Brigid Casey. They began brewing in 2004.

Farming grains alone was labour-intensive, and over 90% of his ingredients were locally sourced.

“Basically, if we drop the price, someone is missing out.”

It was why he almost exclusively distributed his brews to private enterprises, like restaurants and cafes.

He said being stubborn on the price also meant his consumers weren’t consuming his products at an unhealthy rate.

“Alcohol is often used as a tool to attract customers. You don’t hear of people driving across town for half-price cabbage, but they will for half-price alcohol sold in large packs.”

Still, nearly half-a-million litres come out of Three Boys Brewery each year, an amount Bungard was proud to say had grown slowly over time.

“We don’t want to take over the world. We have amazing customers… they understand the process, that everyone along the food chain needs a slice of the pie.

“Without locals looking out for us, we wouldn’t be what we are today.”

The company, which Bungard – who holds a PhD in plant biochemistry – co-owns with wife Brigid Casey, turns 18 this year. He hopes to celebrate with the wider brewing community in Christchurch.

The company is renowned for its unique Oyster brew, something Bungard affectionately compared to a musician who had “one big hit,” despite its range of awards proving otherwise.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated that Three Boys Brewery beer can not be bought in mainstream supermarkets. The beer is available in some supermarkets, but not in multipacks. (Amended at 9.33pm on August 3, 2022)