BY LEE SHAW WEI AND MA CHEE SENG
KUCHING: The 1602 Craft Beer, Sarawak’s first locally brewed craft beer, will be reasonably priced and open up business prospects for everyone, said chief financial officer of Global Sales and Marketing Sdn Bhd Wong King Wei.
He stated during the launching of 1602 Craft Beer at Pullman Hotel on Thursday (Feb 9) that the goal of 1602 Craft Beer, was to continuously concentrate on adding value for other people in the future.
Wong revealed that through giving the populace economic options, they hoped to establish 1602 Craft Beer in Sarawak.
“We don’t build our brand via an exploitative strategy but to instil ideals in Sarawak, so that as a result of us, more job and economic opportunities will be available to Sarawakians.
“And these premium crafted beers will be reasonably priced so that everyone, from urban or rural locations, could enjoy it.
In addition, he added, “We aim to make fresh craft beer affordable for everyone.”
Meanwhile, brewmaster Hans Gerner of Bavaria, Germany, said that drinking beer is beneficial and helps treat dandruff.
He asserted that beer contains antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, and other elements that help protect the heart, avoid kidney stones, lower bad cholesterol levels, build bones, reduce stress, and boost memory.
He described beer culture in Germany as “liquid bread,” a staple dish that is not an alcoholic drink in Bavaria.
“Beer is an essential part of Bavarian tradition, our lives, and our culture. In Bavaria, beer is called ‘Gaudi,’ which means ‘fun and joy’.
“In Bavaria, drinking beer also implies having fun together, socialising, sharing customs, meeting new people, and enjoying a great day or evening,” he explained.
Master brewer Randy Liew was the one who created this beer and said 1602 was named after the earliest map of Sarawak that was published and is said ‘to belong to the people of Sarawak’.
“Industrial beer is mostly available in the market, is limited in choices and comes with only one or two flavours because it is brewed for the masses, and it targets the mass market which serves a purpose of convenience to everyone.
“Unlike industrial beer, we are more into providing craftsmanship. Quality comes first and it will always be that way. Of course I don’t mean to say that industrial beer is of any lesser quality than craft beer.
“I have to re-emphasise that industrial beer and craft beer merely serve two different types of drinkers. As simple as that,” said Liew
The launching ceremony was officiated at by Minister for Food Industries, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and also present were founder of 1602 Craft Beer Datuk Seri Lee Kee Lung and Chairman of Copial Corporation Sdn Bhd Datuk Peter Nasian Ngusie.
