A well-known fixture in the early days of Invercargill, the Black Eagle Brewery was a local success story, recognised across New Zealand and Australia for its award-winning ales and stouts.

The brewery had its beginnings in the early 1860s on Mary Street, Sylvan Bank, where J.T. (John Tice) Martin leased substantial buildings on allotments 17, 18 and 19 of section 2, block 1 of the Invercargill Hundred. He also established a more convenient depot for his customers in the city centre, on the corner of Dee and Esk Streets, opposite the Southland Club Hotel.

The Mary Street property was sold in January 1868, and by July the brewery had moved to the south side of Spey Street, between Dee and Kelvin Streets, block 71, section 3. J.T. Martin bought the property from Mr. C.S. Button who ran the Provincial Brewery. Established in 1863, it was well-known for ‘Button’s Southland Ale’.

The Spey Street premises were a mix of wooden and brick buildings, including a five-storey brick tower added by Mr Martin in the 1870s. The tower was well known for providing sweeping views of the city, and as it could be seen from almost everywhere in town, a flag was flown from it to signal the arrival of mail steamers. Martin sold not only ale and stout from the premises but also seed and bushels of barley.

In 1873 J.T. Martin won second prize for his ale at the Interprovincial Exhibition in Christchurch, and first honours at the exhibition in 1882. At the 1879-80 Sydney Exhibition he was awarded first honours for his pale ale, and in 1888 second honours for his running ale at the Melbourne Exhibition. He was quoted as saying it was because of Invercargill’s excellent water and climate.

The brewery buildings and J.T. Martin’s house were advertised for sale in 1894, and in 1895, after being unoccupied for a length of time, they were altered to become a boot factory for Messrs Batson and Peters. In 1903 the premises then became a produce store for Messrs MacIntosh and Jopp.

Originally from Somerset England, J.T. Martin came to Invercargill in 1862 via Ballarat. He was married to Elizabeth, nee Frisken, and had five sons and six daughters. He was a spirited and well-liked man, with a philanthropic nature. He was one of the founders of the Benevolent Institution, as well as the Invercargill Athenaeum. He was involved with the Masons and was a lay reader with the Anglican Church. He also invested in various properties around Invercargill and Southland, including several hotels. J.T. Martin died in 1902 aged 70.

Sources: The Southland Times, Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/