I won't be buying Mac's beers anymore

[Bren]

well, once again a big company takes over a small company, then absolutely stuffs it up!

I feel that they should keep the roots of the company (macs) alive...but the corporate world is about money and nothing else...

Mac's Brewery to close

9:56AM Saturday May 17, 2008



Lion Nathan will close the original Mac's Brewery in Stoke this month.

Mac's Brewery in Stoke, the small beer maker which sparked a craft brewing revolution is to close at the end of May.
Production will be transferred to parent company Lion Nathan's plants in Christchurch and Wellington.
Terry McCashin opened the brewery in 1981, when the New Zealand beer industry was dominated by brewing giants DB and Lion. Mac's Brewery sparked a craft brewing revolution, and continued to make innovative beers after being sold to Lion Nathan in 1999.
Lion Nathan corporate affairs director Liz Read told the Nelson Mail the Main Rd Stoke brewery was closing because it was too small to keep up with the demand for Mac's beers.
Three production staff would be offered employment elsewhere in the company, and sales representatives at Stoke would be relocated to other premises in Nelson before the lease on the building expired in July 2009.
Ms Read said 93 per cent of Mac's beer was already brewed in bigger plants in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland to meet the demand, which had increased 7 per cent annually over the past four years.



- NZPA

[AllanB]

I can remember a friend of mine heading up to Nelson from Christchurch with a trailer to fill it up with Macs beer 20 plus years ago.

A sad day fro Nelson.

[Ms Piggy]

Boooo! Hisssss!!! That sucks!

[MisterD]

well, once again a big company takes over a small company, then absolutely stuffs it up!

I feel that they should keep the roots of the company (macs) alive...but the corporate world is about money and nothing else...

In defence, I'd say that the likes of Brewjolais shows that the spirit of Mac's is still alive within the bigger company...what's the alternative anyway - DB? (Shudder)

[jrandom]

Why does this matter?

They're giving the brewers jobs elsewhere, 93% of Mac's beer is already brewed elsewhere... who cares where it's made? It's the recipe and quality control that counts.

[Headbanger]

Well, I care.

Sad day indeed.

Even if they just had kept it open as a demonstration brewery, and served it up locally.

Bastards.

[Steam]

macs

You shouldn't be drinking Macs anyway South3rn Rid3r, surely it's one of NZ's most hippy beers?

[Naki Rat]

Why does this matter?

They're giving the brewers jobs elsewhere, 93% of Mac's beer is already brewed elsewhere... who cares where it's made? It's the recipe and quality control that counts.

It matters because it is yet another case of the big boys buying up their competition and then after a suitably acceptable period of time tossing out the spent leftovers of their corporate philanderings.

The 93% of Macs beers already brewed elsewhere is Macs in name but not quality and is catering to the Macs Gold cafe' crowd for the most part 'cos that's where the money is. The fine boutique style beers that were their crowning glory are now a thing of the past and they, like their partners in crime DB, are aiming for the lowest common denominator. Ramsack the MacCashin Brewery, pick the eyes out of it and give the brewers Hobson's choice of "work for us elsewhere or take your chances for work in Nelson". Sounds fair? NOT

If you live in Nelson you are spoilt for choice in terms of great local beers. If not give Craig Harrington a call at Tasman Brewing Company http://sprigandfern.co.nz/thebrewery.aspx (originally Harringtons Brewery and still in Nelson) on 0800 FLAGON and he'll freight you some of New Zealand's finest beers to wherever in the country you are. Cheers

[Skyryder]

Macs beer?? Made in China.................by Soon Go Now Imperial Brewers to the Politburo.


Skyryder

[Skyryder]

It matters because it is yet another case of the big boys buying up their competition and then after a suitably acceptable period of time tossing out the spent leftovers of their corporate philanderings.

The 93% of Macs beers already brewed elsewhere is Macs in name but not quality and is catering to the Macs Gold cafe' crowd for the most part 'cos that's where the money is. The fine boutique style beers that were their crowning glory are now a thing of the past and they, like their partners in crime DB, are aiming for the lowest common denominator. Ramsack the MacCashin Brewery, pick the eyes out of it and give the brewers Hobson's choice of "work for us elsewhere or take your chances for work in Nelson". Sounds fair? NOT

If you live in Nelson you are spoilt for choice in terms of great local beers. If not give Craig Harrington a call at 0800 FLAGON and he'll freight you some of New Zealand's finest beers to wherever in the country you are. Cheers

I stopped drinking Macs beer years back for exactly the reason you have given.

Much the same thing happened when Hogs Head moved from Christchurch to Auckland.
The tast changed. You can do evertyhing the same but it's the water that can not be changed.

Try the difference with NZ made Heiniken and the imported beer. Mind you ya going to have to buy those kegy things as they are not made in NZ.


Skyryder

[Swoop]

A few years ago, I had a student who lived in a flat across the road from the brewery.
He said their back door area was stacked full of empties and occasionally they would fill up the wheelbarrow and make multiple trips across the road to return their empties. When done, they would fill the wheelbarrow with a new supply and take it across the road to the flat, to commence "sampling" the product.

He seemed quite impressed with the arrangement.

[Flatcap]

The fine boutique style beers that were their crowning glory are now a thing of the past and they, like their partners in crime DB, are aiming for the lowest common denominator. Ramsack the MacCashin Brewery, pick the eyes out of it and give the brewers Hobson's choice of "work for us elsewhere or take your chances for work in Nelson". Sounds fair? NOT

Utter bollocks

Colin Paige, the chief brewer is still on the case in his mad scientists lab in Wellington. Craft brews of note:
Sassy Red - originally a seasonal brew now produced year round
Brewjolaise - get it at your nearest Mac's bar
Hop Rocker
Sun Dance
The list goes on

As for aiming for the lowest common denominator - it is all very well to have lofty ideals regarding true ales and such, the simple fact is that those who enjoy a more challenging brew (like myself) are dying off and so is the volume sold.

Nowadays beer has to compete against god-awful RTDs or become irrelevent.

As to "ramshacking the macCashin brewery" lion has owned the Mac's brand for around 9 years, brewing at that site, so a "ramshack" it is not..

[ynot slow]

Same when DB took brewing Montieths to Dorkland,big outcry but sales go on.

My brother was a member of the macs club years ago,visited the brewery back in 1996,his comment to Mr.Mac was it's hard to know when the bottle is empty,you need a little clear strip between the label as a site glass,they took that on board and the new labels didn't wrap right around the glass,imagine saying that to the fishheads at Lion Nathan.

For those interested try the beers from Whitecliff brewery in Urenui just north of New Plymouth,used to be Mikes Mild Ale,and was given many awards,some say still tastes good others say tastes crap.

[young1]

I am with you, I liked drinking it knowing I was supporting a Nelson brewery.

You used to be able to buy cheaper beer at the brewery (in stubbies) where the labels had not stuck on straight!

Only thing I don't like is the bottles, bloody horrible little things.

[ajturbo]

Why does this matter?

They're giving the brewers jobs elsewhere, 93% of Mac's beer is already brewed elsewhere... who cares where it's made? It's the recipe and quality control that counts.

as usall your full of shit......hahahahah
when loin took over "MAC"S"... everything changed.. even the recipe!!!!

we use to drink the original stuff by the flagon, yes we get it from the brewery...( back door lol)

then next thing you know loin took over and guess what... yep it changed...!..

we stopped buying it...