In 1999, the idea of starting a brewery became a reality and Holgate was born! Originally a historical hotel, the Holgate Brewhouse became a combination of a brewery, public bar, restaurant, and hotel - all under a single roof! The Brewhouse thus became a popular spot for beer tourists as visitors could see how the beer is made in the brewery, have a nice meal at the restaurant, drink a beer or two at the bar, and stay for the night.

However, not everything was smooth sailing back then. With only Paul in charge of the brewing process while Tash oversaw the administration and logistics, it truly was tough as manpower was severely lacking. Even when they first bottled their beers, they had to employ the whole family to help!

Despite having to do everything from scratch, Paul was still very determined and committed to his craft. He endured all the hardships and continued to buy his own grain and mill everything by hand.