The Taste of Samoa has returned home and will hit the market in a week as the $17 million (US$6.11 million) Vailima Breweries factory was officially opened on Friday evening.
This marks the return of the production of Vailima beer in Samoa. A task that owners Saleimoa Charlie Vaai and Beatrice Ott have worked hard to achieve.
It was in 2022 when Samoa Breweries owned by Paradise Beverages from Fiji, decided it was cost-effective to shift production to Suva. That decision led to redundancies and the loss of an iconic beer.
Saleimoa and Ott acquired the license and ownership of the beer back for Samoan production only after tough negotiations. It took some time, but it eventually became a reality.
“This is the opening of our factory and our franchise, but we still haven’t sold one yet. The next part of this journey is entering the market and competing” Saleimoa said.
In the coming week, the company expects to finalise the distribution deal with Samoa Breweries.
The owners spent $4 million (US$1.43 million) more than they had anticipated but believed the risk was worth it.
“I think I’m a bit delusional. My schoolteacher always told me I was a bit delusional, and I think she was correct. It’s a huge risk but it was a risk that was calculated because we believe that we were doing was good for this country,” said Saleimoa.
For now, the company employs 20 people. It is anticipated that as the company grows and starts its own distribution, the number of employees will increase.
Saleimoa said the journey has not been an easy one. He has had to get his hands dirty.
“On a personal level, I don’t think I’ve had a personal life for the last three years, I’ve been too busy building this brewery and learning how to do cement work and several other works. But yeah, just truly blessed to get here,” he said.
“There was one way forward. We kept going back to the bank asking for more money. We kept asking our suppliers to be patient. We maneuvered around a lot of our resources to get to where we are right now.”
Saleimoa also urged the government to create easier pathways allowing local investments in the country.
He thanked Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, saying she had played a crucial role in getting the production of Samoa’s iconic beer back home.
Archbishop Mosese Tui opened the official ceremony with a small prayer. He said Vailima Brewery was an important part of Samoa as it signified local investment and promoted local employment.
The Vailima Lager and Vailima Exports will be available in 500ml and 355ml cans once the distribution starts.
It will also be available on tap. The factory is fitted with modern machinery to ensure a better-tasting beer that is Samoa’s own.
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