Papua New Guinea manufacturer Vitis Industries has expanded into spirits, brewing and coffee production as it seeks to convert locally-grown crops into consumer products. General Manager Sergey Mosin shares some of his plans for 2019 with Business Advantage PNG.

Vitis Industries workers. Credit: Vitis/Facebook

Vitis Industries is perhaps best known for its range of alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages and juices but it makes much more than that.

‘The main idea behind the manufacturing of our range of spirits and liquors is to utilise locally grown agriculture crops and convert them into valuable and long lasting products,’ explains Mosin.

As well as packaged drinks, Vitis owns a 1200 hectare agriculture estate with coffee plantations, vanilla plantations and honey bees at Wau in Morobe Province, which produces 100 per cent Arabica coffee, vanilla essence and natural honey.

‘We produce green coffee beans for export, as well as roasted coffee beans, drip coffee, instant liquid coffee and coffee capsules for Nespresso coffee makers,’ says Mosin.

Overall, the company employs about 1,000 people. Five hundred are employed at its 9-Mile factory in Port Moresby.

Another 250 permanent staff work at its Wau estate, where 300 seasonal staff are also employed.

Beer

Vitis Brewery is also the only the second (legal) brewery in Papua New Guinea after the market leader, SP Brewery.

From selling just two beers types three years ago, Vitis is now selling 12, with another five styles to go on sale this year.

‘Our sales are good and constantly growing,’ says Mosin. ‘Our current production is not big and all produced beers are sold.

‘We have our own two bottle shops in Port Moresby and one bottle shop in Wau.’

The range is also sold in some supermarkets.

Batch-brewing

Credit: Vitis Industries

Sergey Mosin says his brewery uses batch-brewing, a method often employed these days by boutique breweries, which produces a more traditional style of beer.

‘It takes about 60 days to complete the bottling process,’ he says.

‘This method guarantees high quality and outstanding taste. As a result, our beers won medals in the Berlin International Beer Competition in 2019 and the Melbourne Beer Competition in 2019.’

The most popular beers are Classic Lager, Imperial Porter and Wheat Ale.

‘The main idea behind the manufacturing of our range of spirits and liquors is to utilise locally grown agriculture crops and convert them into valuable and long lasting products.’

Last year, he added Imperial Porter, Wheat Ale, Pilsner Ale, Honey Lager, Pineapple Lager and, during 2019, he expects to produce Margarita Lager, Cherry Lager, Orange Lager, Blonde Ale and Coffee Stout.

The most powerful product, he says, is Imperial Porter, a strong tradition style with 9.5 per cent alc.

‘It follows the old tradition of Irish and Baltic stouts and porters made from Australian malts.’

‘The Porter is my favourite beer and reminds me of my young days in the USSR.

‘It is strong, with a dense body, sweet, with a rich hops flavour, some hint of vanilla and a dark rich colour.’

Brew Master at Vitis is Phil Magic, who has worked in various breweries in Australia and New Zealand.