Our Story
The Journey Behind NINEBARNYARDOWLS
NINEBARNYARDOWLS is a dedicated coolshipped and spontaneous fermentation brewery located in Gladstone, Wairarapa. Founded by brewer Brayden Rawlinson, our journey is one of discovery, patience, and a deep commitment to terroir-driven brewing.
Our Brewing Journey
From farmyard experiments to a dedicated spontaneous fermentation brewery
Farmyard Beginnings
The roots trace back to Brayden's family farm, where years of homebrewing led to the unexpected discovery of viable native microflora. A spontaneous fermentation experiment—caused by mechanical failure and necessity—produced results far beyond expectations, shaping our philosophy forever.
International Craft
Brayden's decade of brewing experience spans New Zealand, Australia, and Italy. Working in Sydney, the decision was made to bring the spontaneous fermentation concept home—recognizing Wairarapa's unique potential for terroir-driven brewing.
Commercial Launch
The first commercial batch was brewed and transferred into our newly built coolship in Gladstone. Wort production was supported by Martinborough Brewery from 2017 to 2024, guided by both Hayden Frew and Eugene Black.
New Chapter
All brewing operations move on-site with a Braumeister 200L system. This marks a new era of complete control and deeper connection to our Gladstone terroir, allowing for even more precise and expressive spontaneous fermentations.
Our Brewing Philosophy
Three pillars that define everything we do
of Gladstone, Wairarapa
and nature's rhythms
control systems
Our Approach
How we craft truly unique, terroir-driven beers
On cold winter nights, wort cools in our open coolship, capturing wild yeast and bacteria native to the Wairarapa valley. This natural inoculation is where each batch's unique character begins—no commercial yeast, just nature's own.
Transferred to neutral French oak barrels, our beers mature for 12-36 months. Each barrel develops distinct characteristics—some bright and acidic, others funky and complex. This extended aging allows flavors to meld and evolve naturally.
We believe in letting nature lead. No temperature control, no forced carbonation, no filtration. Our role is to guide and blend, not control. This hands-off approach allows each beer to express its true character.
Each brew captures a specific moment in time. Winter batches differ from spring captures. No two batches are identical—each reflects the season, weather patterns, and unique microbial life of that particular brew day.
Place & People
Where and by whom our beers come to life
The Brewer
Brayden Rawlinson – Founder & Brewer
With over a decade of professional brewing experience across New Zealand, Australia, and Italy, Brayden brings both technical expertise and creative vision to NINEBARNYARDOWLS. His journey from discovering viable native microflora on the family farm to establishing a dedicated spontaneous fermentation brewery reflects a deep commitment to terroir-driven brewing.
Gladstone, Wairarapa
Nestled in the Wairarapa valley, our location in Gladstone provides the perfect conditions for spontaneous fermentation. Clean air, distinct seasons, and unique local microflora create beers that could only come from this special place.
The Process
A Brewing Approach Rooted in Time
Our beers spend years in oak, shaped by wild yeast, bacteria, and the natural conditions of Gladstone. This slow, deliberate process requires patience and trust in nature's timeline.
From Coolship to Bottle
Wort production: Braumeister 200L system (from 2025)
Spontaneous capture: Custom-built coolship
Fermentation & aging: Neutral French oak barrels
Bottle conditioning: Natural carbonation over months
Community & Collaboration
We're grateful for support from Martinborough Brewery (2017-2024), Hayden Frew, Eugene Black, and the wider New Zealand brewing community that helped bring this unique project to life.
Experience Our Story
Taste the journey in every bottle of NINEBARNYARDOWLS
Explore Our BeersLimited production · Each bottle tells a story