Behind every great brewery is a brewer, and our man at the Garage Project is Pete Gillespie. It’s a classic story in New Zealand of the big OE taking many years longer than initially expected, and for Pete it was no different.

An aborted academic career lead to Pete chasing his passion and throwing himself into the world of brewing.

After a decades experience working in breweries across the UK and Australia, Pete decided it was time to move on from his then position at the Maltshovel Brewery (James Squire, Sydney), and fulfill the dream of every brewer, and establish his very own brewery.

When I caught wind of Pete’s plans, I knew there could be no better place to establish the brewery than in Wellington. Fortunately for me (and for us!), after repeat visits to his original hometown (bred, not born), Pete quickly agreed.

Pete’s passion and dedication to the Garage Project has been absolute. I am incredibly lucky to be on this journey with him, and I know he can’t wait to get cracking and start the kettle. We’re in for a treat. [Jos]

Jos Ruffell

I’ve known Jos since he was born… he had less hair then.

He and my brother were born three months and four houses apart on the same street. They’ve been friends ever since.

Jos has always been determined. He was never really one to listen to people who told him how to do things. He was always willing to follow his own path and try things his own way. I like that. Nothing’s changed.

If you drink anywhere in Wellington that serves great beer, you’ve probably seen Jos around. Any new beer on tap that’s worth trying and he’ll be there, you can count on it.

When I was thinking about coming back to Wellington to set up a brewery it was Jos who clinched it. His enthusiasm is infectious. He even recently left his job to devote time to the Garage Project. His commitment is inspiring.

He’s not a brewer, but his unshakable passion for beer, for thinking outside the box and asking is there a better, more creative way of doing things make him every bit as important to the Project as the guy who mashes in, in the morning (me). [Pete]

Ian Gillespie

As Pete mentions, I’ve been fortunate enough to have Ian as my best friend my entire life. We’ve always stuck together, in work and play.

To start the Garage Project without Ian’s involvement was never considered by Pete or myself. After all, it was Pete who got Ian into craft beer, to then pass the bug down to me! [Jos]

Ian’s awesome, but then I’m biased… he’s my brother.

Ian is many things to the Project. It was Ian who brought me back to NZ after being away for almost two decades. It was Ian who got Jos and I talking about the idea of a brewery in Wellington and it’s Ian who is the glue which holds things together. We were also squatting in his garage in the beginning.

To know Ian is to love him, there’s no sitting on the fence. Ian’s the people guy. He’s run and set up cafés. He brought an energy to these places which drew people like a magnet.

Ian might say he’s a jack of all trades, master of none, I’d say he just has the knack of being great at anything he sets his hand to. He’d do anything for you.

He’s the kind of guy you want at your back.

Did I mention he’s my brother? [Pete]