The Brewery Behind To-Day's Great Drink - DB Breweries

This silent film from 1945 showcases the making of “to-day’s great drink” (beer!), at Dominion Breweries’ Waitemata Brewery in the Auckland suburb of Otahuhu. Post-war, beer consumption was about to boom, with DB set to meet the demand. The film extols automation throughout the production process (though humans are seen contributing to the craft). Beer was still being brewed on the Otahuhu site 70 years later. Made by pioneering commercial filmmaker Robert Steele, the 16mm silent film was likely made for screening at trade fairs or winter shows.

From now on the bottles are untouched by human hands – until you open the carton at home.

– Line from one of the film's title cards

Key Cast & Crew

Robert Steele

Producer