Garage Project Is Releasing a New Beer to Support Local Independent Theatres

During New Zealand's first COVID-19 lockdown, Wellington-based brewery Garage Project took part in a worldwide beer collaboration to support hospitality workers. The 'All Together' pay-what-you-want hazy IPA sold out within days and raised $12K for the capital's struggling industry.

The beer makers also turned their attention to New Zealand's independent theatres and live performing arts, donating $1 from every can sold of its 'Ghost Light' hazy IPA. Following the limited August 2020 run, the Wellington brewery has relaunched the brew to help keep the lights on in Aotearoa's independent theatres.

Ghost Light has been brewed with extra light malt, oats and a blend of Citra and Nelson Sauvin hops. Garage Project calls it "a brilliant white gold brew with a distinctly spectral haze," and "just what's needed to raise spirits." The name references the tradition of keeping an electric light illuminated on stage to keep resident theatre ghosts happy.

Garage Project co-founder Pete Gillespie says, "So many of our most beloved actors, comedians and performers had their start on the stages of independent theatres like Basement and BATS, so these venues are incredibly important for the arts industry. They've done it tough over the past year so we wanted to continue our support but do it in a way that boosted their business model by making every beer they sell go further."

Garage Project is donating 40 kegs of the hazy brew to live performance venues around the country, including Basement Theatre in Auckland and BATS Theatre in Wellington. Ghost Light will also be available from Countdown stores, participating retailers and venues throughout Aotearoa from Monday, May 3.

For more information about 'Ghost Light' and to wrap your hands around a frosty one, visit garageproject.co.nz.