Emissions from Speight's chimney might be looking darker but the brewery is still within its resource consent limits, a company spokeswoman says.
The Otago Regional Council, which oversees air pollution regulations, has put the company on notice that it is not happy about the increasing emissions from the brewery.
Company external relations manager Judy Walter said the brewery understood emissions standards were changing and the regional council was helping it understand what the proposed changes were, but it still had five years to go with its consent.
It was taking those factors into consideration while putting together its $29 million redevelopment, she said.
The brewery was operating five days a week, 24 hours a day for the first time since 1987, so the volume of its emissions had increased, although the density and quality had not changed, she said.
Increased production, since the Christchurch earthquakes, was putting more pressure on the ageing plant, which was being taken into account in its redevelopment.
"They have noticed a deterioration in the coal they have been receiving, which is maybe why people have noticed the smoke is blacker than it was, but we can't definitively say that is the cause."
Whatever the reason, the company wanted to be sure its emissions were responsibly aligned with the community's expectations, she said.
Speight's was proud of its ISO 1401 rating (an international environment management standard) and intended to maintain that high level.
The company would be continuing its talks with the regional council, she said.
