ROCHDALE CIDER

McCashin's Brewery was born in 1980 when hotelier and former All Black Terry McCashin and his wife, Bev, bought the Rochdale Cider Factory in the small upper South Island city of Nelson. With Jim Pollit, of Carlsberg fame, as Head Brewer, along with the plan to brew distinctive, high-quality beer, McCashin's Brewery soon became the most successful independent microbrewery in the country. Its award-winning 100% naturally-brewed beer revolutionised the way beer was produced, and both its beer and cider won the hearts and taste buds of the nation.

Today, McCashin’s continues to pioneer beer- and cider-making and has extended its range to include fine wines, spirits and the purest water in the world. Rochdale cider follows an award-winning traditional recipe that's guaranteed to please. Made from fresh, ripe apples specially handpicked from local orchards, Rochdale cider is refreshingly light, crisp and tangy, making it the perfect anytime drink.

Sam Wilson

Born in sunny Hawke's Bay, Sam started creating beer at home before he was old enough to buy it and his love affair with the art of brewing began. After leaving school he moved to the even sunnier Nelson, and wound up working as a brewer for Mac's. A brief sabbatical, which saw him dabble in a variety of other jobs, came to an end when McCashin's re-opened their family brewery, enlisting Sam’s services as they continued their revolution of the craft brewing industry. After a lengthy pilot brew process, led by Sam himself, Stoke Beer was born, and this lad from Hastings, who’d started out in dad’s garage, could now put his name to one of the country’s finest beverages.