In 1992 after spending a year in Edinburgh and experiencing beers overseas, Richard Emerson was inspired to try to create the same variety and quality back home in New Zealand.  Being profoundly deaf from birth he found that brewing was something that he could do and do well.  With his heightened sense of smell and taste, flavour and aroma became central to his beers and the Emerson’s way of doing things.  Building on his studies and brewing jobs overseas, he set about experimenting on a small scale (poor Mum’s Kitchen). The first brew from the 4 Grange St site in his hometown of Dunedin NZ was London Porter in January 1993.   Little did he know that this would lead to Emerson’s being named Champion Brewery at the 2009 Brewers Guild of New Zealand Awards.  In 2016 after moving sites 3 times already to keep up with Rapid expansion , It became clear that to keep up with the beer demand a new brewery needed to be built. However, this project was about more than just meeting growing demand.  This was about building something that is unique for Emerson’s and for Dunedin; showcasing Richard Emerson’s philosophy and approach to beer, food and sociability, as well as his team’s passion for making great beers.  Emerson’s is now an icon of craft brewing in Dunedin, and across New Zealand. Beers like Bookbinder and Pilsner have been the entry point for many beer lovers and future brewers into the world of craft beer.