The McCashin family has been brewing in New Zealand for around 80 years. They spoke to the team about their business.
What is your company background, how did you start the business?
“McCashin’s Brewery started life as the Rochdale Cider Factory in the late 1930s. It was purchased in 1980 by Bev and Terry McCashin who re-opened it as McCashin’s Brewery but continued to make Rochdale Cider. The Mac’s brand of beer was sold in 1999 to Lion Nathan and the site leased until 2009. After the lease lapsed, oldest son Dean and his wife Emma re-opened the brewery and started Stoke Beer and started making Rochdale Cider again. The Brewery is still family owned and Dean’s brother Scott also works there.”
What is the current product range and variants and how do these products stand out in the market?
At the moment we have Wakachangi Lager, a 5% Mainstream Lager that we are making for Leigh Hart. The Stoke range is made using only water, hops, malt and yeast (i.e. no refined sugar added), no preservatives or artificial additives. The NPA (Nelson Pale Ale) is a low gluten beer (it actually tests as <3ppm which is gluten free – but as it is made using malt we can only call it “low gluten”), an aromatic session ale made using NZ and Australian hops. Rochdale Cider is available in Apple, Pear, Three Berry and Ginger Lime (all gluten free, no added sugar, no preservatives and no artificial additives), and we just brewed a Pina Colada Cider for GABS which was very popular. Our non-alcoholics include Stoke Ginger Beer & LLB, Palaeo Still and Sparkling water.”
Has there been any recent company news?
“Rochdale Pear Cider won the Dublin Craft Cider Trophy earlier this year, and we launched a limited edition Pic’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Porter in 500ml bottles. We’re now doing our own distribution for Stoke Ginger Beer, Lemon Lime and Bitters and Palaeo Water, Rochdale Cider and Wakachangi Lager and Liquid Alchemy Spirits.”
What are the plans for the business moving forward, is there any expansion on the horizon?
“We have recently purchased Liquid Alchemy, a local distillery, famous for their fresh hop Gin. Distiller Jurgen Voigtlander will continue to work for the company.”
Where are your products currently available to buy, and are you looking at or wanting to expand your availability?
“We’re always looking for new stockists.”
