CLASSIC BREW BRINGS BACK MEMORIES

IT WAS the north’s own beer and the natives loved it. Before XXXX and Great Northern took hold of the northern market, there was Cairns Draught. And it was made right here in an iconic building in Spence St that was the Northern Australian Breweries before being bought by CUB.

Cairns Draught was the first draught beer to hit the market in July 1925 but as other beers came on to the market it disappeared from pub taps and beer fridges in 1996.

Its popularity extended beyond the Far North, with my dad still being able to enjoy his favourite brew when our family moved south to the Mackay region in the early ’80s.

The facade of the Spence St brewery has changed and houses commercial businesses now but many in the region will have fond memories of the tipple and indeed the business, which was a major employer back in the day.

My father-in-law, the late Barry Spilsbury, worked there as a maintenance fitter.

A job at a brewery came with special conditions that these days would make HR chiefs cringe.

His job entailed sampling to test product quality, and he could take some home.

Employees were also entitled to have a drink at smoko and/or lunchtime and after work if they wished.

Barry always said it was the best job he ever had and why he put on about 20kg. The joke never got old.

Covid has bolstered beer sales and CUB bringing back Cairns Draught is a crafty move.

No doubt there will be the faithful who will indulge for nostalgia’s sake, while the brewer will test the waters with a new generation keen to try a Far Northern classic.

Who knows, what was old may be new again. I’ll drink to that.