Local craft beer brewers have been hit hard by the Covid crisis - their only lifeline being online sales and delivery.

Rotorua's Croucher Brewing Company and Brew Craft Beer Pub co-owner Paul Croucher says since bars and restaurants across the country closed sales and supply of his award-winning beers had dried up.

"Online sales and the supermarkets is all we've got now," says Paul.

"While our online sales have been picking up, it's not nearly enough, but locals and regulars have been really supportive, so that's encouraging."

Paul says a major problem now is a build-up of stock once destined for the wholesale market, and expensive ingredients such as hops.

"You can't just leave it sitting on the shelves because in six months it will be almost worthless. "

Modifying their products to suit individual customers instead of larger buyers was also important, he says.

"Buying a 24-pack of craft beer can be expensive so we made up smaller offerings, which are doing well.

Paul Croucher, co-owner of Croucher Brewing Company.

"Online is a very creative space - some people have been quite aggressive and it seems to be going well for them."

In the last week, he says the company had been lifting its social media presence resulting in an increase of online sales.

Paul says he was a little uncomfortable when the government allowed brewers to provide online sales as an essential service during the lockdown, but "everyone has had to adjust to the 'new normal'."

Gloria Viitakangas from Mata Brewery and Tap House in Whakatane said they had to adapt quickly as they had never done direct online sales themselves.

"So it was a quick set up and there are a few teething problems," says Gloria.

She says profits were "way down" and it had been a tough few weeks since lockdown was enforced.

"But our local support has been amazing, now our challenge is to spread further from our local area."

Mata Brewery and Taphouse in Whakatane.

Gloria says government support had kept her staff covered but times were tough.

"We are quite happy with the sales, but it's not enough to keep us going. I don't think it will come close to covering our costs.

"We need to increase our reach, our locals are awesome, but we want to get right out there. We are doing different things, like riggers and mixed boxes so at least we are keeping the couriers busy too."

She said the company had been bottling a lot of their new beer, instead of putting it in kegs for the wholesale market, and had new brews on the way as it would be a waste of fresh ingredients.

"We are still brewing, still coming up with new ideas, we can't sit idle. You can either sit down and cry or just get on with it - we haven't worked our butts off for 15 years just to walk away.

"We love what we do and the passion hasn't died."

She said if there was one positive it was a good time to take stock and reflect.

"That's been a positive exercise, to see what we can do differently, not just the same ole, same ole."