Waikato Draught
A malty draught with hop bitterness and spicy aroma.
Lion New Zealand Ltd · CC BY 4.0
Waikato Draught is a bitter beer in the draught style, produced by Lion in New Zealand. While its main market is the Waikato region, it is also available elsewhere in New Zealand and overseas. The beer was first brewed in 1925. The brewery behind it, the Waikato Brewery, had earlier made history in 1889 when Mary Jane Innes took over its management after her husband Charles Innes went bankrupt, making it the first brewery in New Zealand entirely owned by a woman. In 1945, the brewery’s resident artist Richard Abnett created a cartoon mascot for the beer: Willie the waiter. At that time, Waikato Draught was selling 400,000 gallons annually and was brewed at the Innes Family Waikato Brewery. In 1961, New Zealand Breweries (later Lion New Zealand Ltd) bought Waikato Breweries from CL Innes. The Hamilton brewery operated until 1987, when it closed, and production of Waikato Draught shifted to the Lion Breweries in Newmarket, Auckland. In 2005, the beer won a gold medal in the NZ draught category at the BrewNZ New Zealand Beer Awards.
Quick Facts
- Brewery
- Lion Breweries
- Style
- New Zealand Draught
- Year
- 1925
- Abv
- 4.0%
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Waikato Draught was first brewed in 1925. According to the brewery, it has a malty flavour with hop bitterness and a spicy aroma. The Waikato Brewery had earlier become the first brewery in New Zealand to be fully owned by a woman after Mary Jane Innes took over management of the brewery in 1889 following the bankruptcy of her husband, Charles Innes.
Willie the waiter, a cartoon character, used to promote the beer as created in 1945 by brewery resident artist Richard Abnett. At this time, Waikato Draught was selling 400,000 gallons of beer each year and being brewed from the Innes Family Waikato Brewery.
In 1961, the New Zealand Breweries (later to become Lion New Zealand Ltd) acquired Waikato Breweries from CL Innes. The brewery stayed open in Hamilton until 1987 when it was closed down. From this time, the production of Waikato Draught was moved to the Lion Breweries in Newmarket, Auckland.
Reader's Guide
Waikato Draught holds a significant place in New Zealand brewing history as a regional draught-style bitter that has endured for nearly a century. Its origins trace back to the Waikato Brewery, which made history in 1889 when Mary Jane Innes became the first woman in New Zealand to fully own a brewery. The beer itself was first brewed in 1925 and gained a cultural foothold through the 1945 creation of Willie the waiter, a cartoon character by resident artist Richard Abnett, which helped drive annual sales of 400,000 gallons. The acquisition by New Zealand Breweries in 1961 and the eventual closure of the Hamilton brewery in 1987 shifted production to Auckland, yet the brand continued. In 2005, Waikato Draught received a gold medal in the NZ draught category at the BrewNZ New Zealand Beer Awards, affirming its quality within its style. Its continued availability in the Waikato region and beyond reflects a lasting regional loyalty and a place in New Zealand's beer heritage.
Did You Know?
- The Waikato Brewery became the first brewery in New Zealand to be fully owned by a woman, Mary Jane Innes, in 1889.
- Willie the waiter, a cartoon character created by brewery artist Richard Abnett in 1945, was used to promote the beer.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Waikato Draught?
Waikato Draught is a draught-style bitter beer brewed in New Zealand's Waikato region. It has been on the market since 1925 and is currently produced by Lion.
What does Waikato Draught taste like?
It's a malty draught beer that carries a clear hop bitterness alongside a spicy aromatic note. The overall profile sits firmly in the bitter camp rather than being sweet or light.
What's the history behind Waikato Draught?
The Waikato Brewery behind the beer made history in 1889 when Mary Jane Innes assumed management after her husband's bankruptcy, becoming the first woman to fully own a brewery in New Zealand. The beer itself dates to 1925, and in 1945 resident artist Richard Abnett designed its cartoon mascot, Willie the waiter.
Who brews Waikato Draught and where can I find it?
Lion is the current brewer, producing it in the Waikato region of New Zealand. While it's most closely associated with that area, it's also sold in other parts of New Zealand and shipped overseas.
Has Waikato Draught won any awards?
Yes — it took home a gold medal in the New Zealand draught category at the BrewNZ New Zealand Beer Awards in 2005.
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