Following a dream....

One might think life had been fairly quiet here - only a couple of significant events in the past couple of weeks to write home about.  But we have been very busy.....  We were due to leave South America a week ago, but changed our flights so we could help Zac and Milka...  oh and it could be that I just wasn't ready to leave as well.

For those who may not know, Zac has always wanted to set up a brewery.  Probably goes back to his Canberra days when he was a member of a brew club, brewed his own beer which he had on tap in his home.  His interest has continued here in Peru.  On our last visit here, he was brewing in very cramped conditions in their flat, but managed to brew enough for his wedding reception. And it went down well!!!

He has now negotiated to supply beer to a local bar on the plaza in Cusco - starting with a pale ale and a porter (not that I know beers.... not my drink). So since we have been here, he has started a company - Wayki Brewery Company http://www.facebook.com/WaykiBrewing and started setting up a premises.  That's where we can help.

We are helping turn a large garage space into a registered brewing premises.  This is what is looked like at the start...

Only Zac really has a picture of what it will look like all set up and ready to go, but it will certainly be an upgrade on his 'home' brew space ...

First job, hosing and cleaning.  Zac, his father in law, Miguel and Lex all pitched in.  Zac was keen to get some organisation and equipment so they purchased shelves and tanks.  The first of several shopping trips to their favourite shop - Maestro - similar to Bunnings.

Not sure who was more delighted with this purchase...

Especially when it came time to get it onto/into a taxi - most common form of transport in Cusco.  At least it wasn't a Tico!!

 But it didn't fit through the door.  Well not the single door ... time to open both doors.

And of course a specially designed stand was commissioned and constructed.  This was to become even more useful later on.

The plasterer was ready to start work and it didn't take long for him to transform their neat, clean garage into a construction site.  It seems to get plaster onto the ceiling, it must be thrown up.. and in the process, much of it goes everywhere. 

The ceilings were indeed looking better, but OMG the rest of the space was a mess!!!  By the time he was finished we had to start cleaning again - sanding walls and cleaning plaster off everything before painting could start.  It seemed like one step forward and two steps back.  We were really keen to get going with the painting but the plaster and concrete was incredibly slow drying.  

Lex and I have been able to get some things done while Zac and Milka are at work, and they are there whenever they can.  We all pitch in....

We often have the landlord's son, 3 year old Duncan, working with us.  He's a delight.  He speaks in a mixture of Spanish and English.  His dad is Scottish and his mum is Peruvian.  He occasionally mixes them up and might say, "Tengo a hammer." (I have a hammer.)  But the most amazing thing is that he speaks to us in English (Zac, Lex and I), but he speaks to Peruvians in Spanish (Milka, the plasters and other tradesmen).  Incredibly he knows when to use each language.  

He chatters away constantly.  Questions  Questions.  Questions. 'What you doing?  What is this? etc"  I have forgotten what 3 year olds are like.  He knows or is learning all the tools, but incredibly he also knows how to use them correctly.  So well coordinated!!!! Such a character. Up until now he has been coming in through a space which will soon be sealed up.  Wonder what he will think about that...

Zac and Lex have built walls, filled in spaces, endeavouring to seal up the premises and make it secure, dust proof and vermin proof.  They work together really well - in fact I have enjoyed watching this interaction.  Surely there must have been other construction projects over the years but the one that comes to my mind is a car garage they built together when Zac was about 3 years old.  Grandma would have delighted in these scenes too.  Asked what building experience they have, the response was, "Both our grandfathers were builders."  They are both loving it, and seeing it all take shape makes it all worthwhile.

At this point in time, there is still much to do.  Work is progressing and Zac is HAPPY!!!!

We wish them both every success with this enterprise.  It may have been Zac's dream for some time, but they are both in it together, sharing the dream, the workload, and hopefully success in the not-to-distant future.

Shipments of grain have started to arrive.  BIG bags of malted barley.  This style of brewing is a far cry from the pre-mix syrup style brewing Lex does at home!!! And it's all happening at Wayki Brewing!!!!  Woohoo..