Lot 330: Fitzroy Brewery McLaughlin Rockhampton Beer Barrel

Very Good. Steel bands are heavy rusted. Some splits to the wood. Brass bungs are plain, they have some dints in them. Plenty of cobwebs. The brewery was a massive success, and very long lived. Still advertising in the 1950s, we did not look any further as to when they finished, but found the following article from December 1931 celebrating 50 years of business to be quite interesting: A Big Trade THOMAS MCLAUGHLIN & co. FROM SMALL BEGINNING. HALF A CENTURY OF SUCCESSES. Though brewing was introduced into Rockhampton by Mr. William Boldeman on his premises in the 'sixties, the first brewery in the town was not established until 1880, in which year Russell and Co. started in Quay Street, about midway between Fitzroy and Denham Streets. It was named the Fitzroy Brewery, for the reason, no doubt, that it was practically on the bank of the river. The company, however, was unsuccessful, and early in the following year the whole of the machinery, plant, stock, and working utensils were purchased at auction by the late Mr. Thomas McLaughlin and Mr. William Kay Higson, not conjointly but between them. Under Mr. Thomas McLaughlin's management the business of the Fitzroy Brewery expanded to such an extent that towards the end of 1883, or about two and a half years after he revived the industry with Mr. Higson, he started the erection of a new brewery, a "tower or gravitatior - brewery," on half an acre of land on the river bank at the lower end of the town, the block being bounded by Wharf, Quay and Wood Streets. The building was completed and fully equipped in 1884, and was one of the most up-to-date establishments of the kind in Queensland. When the wine and spirit section of the business was transferred from Quay Street to William Street, the old brewery, together with the adjoining residence, was demolished and the Rockhampton Club erected thereon. After five or six years in William Street, McLaughlin and Co. obtained a 21 years' building lease from the City Council, and on the block of land at the corner of East Street and the lane leading from the main thoroughfare into Market Square, they erected the two-storied brick premises, still occupied by the firm. For many years Messrs. McLaughlin and Co.'s business has been a prosperous and growing one. A big trade is done in Rockhampton and the Central District in draught and bottled ale, and stout manufactured at the Fitzroy Brewery. The fact that not-withstanding the advent of numerous brands of southern beer from the leading breweries in Victoria, New South Wales, and Brisbane, 'Mac's', as it is generally called, has stood up against this strong: competition, and after 60 years, is still the popular favourite, which should be sufficient guarantee of its high class quality. The firm has a flne of sole agency lines, including Dewar's Whisky, Gilbey's' Dry Gin, Resch's Lager, and Ales and Stouts, Penfold's Wines and Brandies, Burke's Guinness, Dublin Stout, Minchinbury Sparkling Wines, Helidon Aerated Waters and numerous others. Grade: 7.5 Estimate: $100 - 150