New Zealand: Earthquake smashes much of beer stock in Lion Nathan’s warehouse

New Zealand's major 7.0 earthquake disrupted supplies from one of the country's biggest breweries, AFP cited an official on September, 7.

Operations may not return to normal for weeks, the official warned.

The Lion Nathan brewery, which has stood in central Christchurch since the 1850s, was little damaged in Saturday's jolt but a nearby warehouse was badly shaken, with much of its beer, wine and spirit stock smashed.

"Our offsite... warehouse has been significantly affected and remains closed. We are currently looking for alternative warehousing but we have lost considerable inventory," Lion Nathan spokeswoman Judy Walter said.

Walter said the company was currently filling urgent orders only out of its Auckland stores and though supplies to Christchurch would resume within 24 hours, it could be "a number of weeks" before drinks were again flowing freely.

Lion Nathan was using all available resources to resolve the damage and address supply delays, she added.

The brewery itself, which produces six beers including international brands Becks, Guinness and Kilkenny and supplies the entire South island, had been "largely assessed by a structural engineer and cleared for use," Walter said.

"The clean-up process is now underway there, but production is unlikely to recommence before the end of next week as all machinery needs to be fully inspected and tested," she said.

08 September, 2010