Grunts Grog

In 2008 during an annual hunting trip 6 veterans thought of an idea of coming up with a bottle of port that could honour those who served past and present and those no longer with us.

A lot of the Veterans that were on that trip had a vast knowledge and experience from their time overseas. Comrade ship was tight and all knew what it was like to lose comrades in the line of duty or whilst serving back home.

2012 The story of Grunts Grog was once again discussed this time in a white baiters hut on the coast where a representative from Harrington’s Breweries just happen to be. He liked the story and invited Grunts Grog to meet up with Harrington’s Breweries.

The meeting went very well, both Harrington’s and Grunts Grog were happy to work alongside one another to get the port out there for all to enjoy.

Due to one of the founders having to redeploy to Afghanistan during 2012 The release was delayed until his return.

Unfortunately this trip was to be one of the deadliest deployments for the NZDF since the Vietnam War. Loosing 5 soliders KIA and 6 WIA.

This made the release of Grunts Grog all that more important as the soldiers were wanting a bottle that they could toast to their fallen comrades and know that the bottle was made in honour of all those who wear the uniform. 

In 2013 Harrington’s Breweries based in Christchurch helped get Grunts Grog out there for all to enjoy through liquor outlets, RSA’s and some bars. During this time Grunts Grog gave donations to the NZ Fallen Heroes’Trust and the RSA. 

2018 Saw Harrington’s Breweries being brought by Lion therefore bringing Grunts Grog to a temporary halt.

2020 Grunts Grog has been given an overhaul with a new website, merchandise bottle shape and a new organisation to support.

Grunts Grog has chosen to support a new great organisation called SSAANZ (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Association of New Zealand)

We will do our best to help support this organisation.

2023 is the 10th anniversary of Grunts Grog being out there for all to enjoy. What better way to spend it than to head into the hills with the original Grunts Grog crew to where the journey began back in 2008. We may have aged a little since the last time we were here, but our focus has never changed.

Honoring those who served. Many tipples of Grunts Grog were raised during our catch up, celebrating the first 10 years, to those we served with and the ones no longer with us. More ideas were created and in the coming times Grunts Grog looks forward to releasing some more products.