McCashin's Brewery
A Nelson craft brewery associated with the origins of New Zealand's modern craft-beer movement and producer of Stoke beers and Rochdale cider.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
McCashin's Brewery is a small, independently associated craft brewery based in Stoke, a suburb of Nelson, New Zealand. Its history combines brewing with the longer local tradition of cider production at the Main Road Stoke site. The property began operating as the Rochdale Cider factory in the late 1930s, and the present building was erected in the 1950s. By the 1970s, Rochdale had become New Zealand's only large commercial cider producer, giving the site an established beverage-manufacturing identity before the McCashin family entered the business. Terry McCashin, a former All Black rugby player and farmer, and his wife Beverley purchased the business in 1980. They continued producing Rochdale Cider while adding craft beer production, working with brewer Jim Pollitt. The first Mac's beer was launched on 26 September 1981, at an event attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. The operation was small and competed with the country's two dominant brewing groups, Lion Nathan and Dominion Breweries. Terry McCashin subsequently became recognized as one of the pioneers of New Zealand craft brewing. The Mac's brand grew beyond the original brewery. Lion acquired the Mac's brand in 1999 and began leasing the Nelson premises in 2000. As demand increased, Lion produced Mac's beers at facilities in Wellington and Christchurch and later at Auckland following the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. Lion also developed Mac's Brewbars in several New Zealand locations. These later activities belong to the Mac's brand's Lion ownership period rather than to the current independent McCashin's Brewery identity. In 2009, Terry McCashin's son Dean McCashin and his wife Emma returned to Nelson and relaunched the brewery under the McCashin's name. The renewed business introduced the Stoke beer range and resumed production of Rochdale-branded cider. Its beer portfolio has included styles such as IPA, dark ale and pilsner, made using traditional brewing approaches, organic hops and specially cultured yeast. The company has also produced non-alcoholic beverages, including Stoke Lemon Lime and Bitters and Ginger Beer, as well as still and sparkling Palaeo water sourced from beneath the brewery site. The brewery's activities extend beyond packaged beverages. The Brewery Kitchen operates at the site and also provides off-site catering, linking the production facility with hospitality and visitor-oriented use. In December 2022, Scott McCashin acquired the brewery from his siblings and became a director and shareholder. He serves as managing director, while Christopher Swasbrook is identified as executive chair. McCashin's Brewery remains an active New Zealand beverage business centered on the Stoke site, with its public identity built around local heritage, craft brewing, cider and related drinks.
History
The Stoke site associated with McCashin's Brewery began as the Rochdale Cider factory in the late 1930s. Cider production was an important local industry in the Nelson area, where several producers operated during the 1930s and 1940s. By the 1970s, Rochdale was the country's only large commercial cider producer. The current brewery building dates from the 1950s. In 1980, former All Black rugby player and farmer Terry McCashin and his wife Beverley purchased the business. They retained Rochdale Cider production but expanded the site into beer. With brewer Jim Pollitt's assistance, the business developed Mac's beer, which was launched on 26 September 1981 in the presence of Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. The small brewery entered a market dominated by Lion Nathan and Dominion Breweries, and Terry McCashin became associated with the emergence of craft brewing in New Zealand. Lion bought the Mac's brand in 1999 and leased the original premises from 2000. Lion subsequently produced Mac's beer in Wellington, Christchurch and, after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, Auckland. It also opened Mac's Brewbars around New Zealand. In 2009, Dean and Emma McCashin returned to Nelson and revived the operation under the McCashin's Brewery name. The new business created the Stoke beer brand and restarted Rochdale cider production. The brewery's later range has included IPA, dark ale and pilsner made with traditional methods, organic hops and specially cultured yeast. It has also produced Stoke Lemon Lime and Bitters, Ginger Beer, and Palaeo still and sparkling water sourced beneath the brewery. The Brewery Kitchen adds restaurant and catering operations to the beverage business. In December 2022, Scott McCashin acquired the brewery from his siblings. He became managing director, director and shareholder, while Christopher Swasbrook became executive chair.
- 2022
Scott McCashin takes ownership
[1]Scott McCashin acquired the brewery from his siblings and assumed a leading ownership and management role.
- 2015
Supreme cider award in Ireland
[2]McCashin's Brewery was reported to have won a supreme cider award in Ireland.
- 2009
McCashin's Brewery is relaunched
[1]Dean and Emma McCashin relaunched the Nelson operation under the McCashin's name, creating Stoke beers and resuming Rochdale cider.
- 1999
Lion acquires the Mac's brand
[1]Lion purchased the Mac's brand while the original brewery later operated under a lease arrangement.
- 1981
Mac's beer launches
[1]Mac's beer was launched on 26 September 1981, marking the brewery's entry into New Zealand craft brewing.
- 1980
McCashin family purchases the business
[1]Terry and Beverley McCashin bought the cider business and began developing craft beer at the site.
- 1950
Current brewery building constructed
[1]The present building at the Stoke property was erected in the 1950s.
- 1930
Rochdale Cider production begins at the Stoke site
[1]The Main Road Stoke property began operating as the Rochdale Cider factory in the late 1930s.
Products and positioning
A Nelson-based New Zealand craft beverage producer combining early craft-brewing heritage with traditional beer, cider and non-alcoholic beverage production.
Craft beer · 2009
Stoke beers
The Stoke range is the brewery's principal post-2009 beer identity. It has included several traditional and contemporary styles, including IPA, dark ale and pilsner. The beers are associated with small-scale brewing at the Nelson site, organic hops and specially cultured yeast.
Cider · 1930
Rochdale Cider
Rochdale Cider represents the beverage-making heritage of the Stoke property, which operated as a cider factory from the late 1930s. Production continued under the McCashin family and was resumed as part of the 2009 brewery relaunch.
Non-alcoholic beverage
Stoke Lemon Lime and Bitters
A non-alcoholic soft-drink offering in the Stoke range.
Non-alcoholic beverage
Stoke Ginger Beer
A non-alcoholic ginger beer produced under the Stoke name.
Bottled water
Palaeo water
Still and sparkling water bottled under the Palaeo name and sourced from a water source beneath the brewery site.
Restaurant and catering
Brewery Kitchen
The on-site restaurant and catering operation extends the brewery's activities into hospitality and off-site event catering.
Brand decisions
2022
Internal ownership transfer to Scott McCashinM&ABackground
The brewery remained a family-associated business after its relaunch.
Action taken
Scott McCashin acquired the brewery from his siblings and became a director and shareholder.
Aftermath
Scott McCashin became managing director, with Christopher Swasbrook serving as executive chair.
2009
Relaunch under the McCashin's nameStrategyBackground
Following the Lion ownership of the Mac's brand, Dean and Emma McCashin returned to Nelson and re-established the family brewing operation.
Action taken
The business adopted the McCashin's Brewery identity, introduced Stoke beers and resumed Rochdale cider production.
Aftermath
The brewery developed a portfolio separate from the Lion-owned Mac's brand while retaining its historic Nelson association.
1999
Sale of the Mac's brand to LionM&ABackground
The Mac's beer brand had grown from the small Nelson brewery but operated in a market dominated by large brewing companies.
Action taken
Lion acquired the Mac's brand. It later leased the original brewery premises and expanded production to other New Zealand facilities.
Aftermath
Mac's became part of Lion's wider brewing and hospitality network, while the McCashin family later rebuilt an operation under the McCashin's name.
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