The Beer That Became Known as “Mac’s”

Long before Queensland’s brewing industry was dominated by a handful of major breweries, Rockhampton had a brewing story of its own. And one of its best-known names was McLaughlin’s!

The story began in 1880, when Russell & Co. established the Fitzroy Brewery in Quay Street, Rockhampton. The venture struggled, and early in 1881 its machinery, plant, stock and equipment were purchased by Thomas McLaughlin and William Kay Higson.

Under McLaughlin’s management, the business expanded. Towards the end of 1883, he began building a new “tower or gravitation brewery” on the Fitzroy River, on land bounded by Wharf, Quay and Wood Streets. The new brewery was completed and fully equipped in 1884.

The business became known as Thomas McLaughlin & Co., combining brewing with a wine and spirits trade.

WHY WAS IT CALLED “MAC’S”?

A December 1931 newspaper feature celebrating the company’s history described its substantial trade in draught and bottled ale and stout throughout Rockhampton and the Central District.

It also recorded that McLaughlin’s beer was popularly known as “Mac’s” and had held its own against competing beers from Victoria, New South Wales and Brisbane.

Surviving labels reveal a tempting range, including Mac’s Draught Beer, Mac’s Sparkling Pale Ale, Mac’s Extra XXX Stout and McLaughlin’s XXX Stout.

But beer wasn’t the whole business! McLaughlin & Co. also handled well-known brands including Resch’s beers and ales, Dewar’s Whisky, Gilbey’s Dry Gin, Penfold’s wines and brandies, Burke’s Guinness, Dublin Stout and Helidon Aerated Waters.

THE END OF AN ERA

In February 1961, Carlton & United Breweries purchased all the shares in Thomas McLaughlin & Co.

CUB later built a new brewery at North Rockhampton in 1970. However, that facility closed in March 1976, bringing a long chapter of large-scale commercial brewing in Rockhampton to an end.

A FAMILY LEGACY LIVES ON

And here’s the wonderful twist!

Laurie McLaughlin, a later member of the family, ran the Rockhampton brewery from 1910 to 1960. Decades later, his grandson Jasper Cuppaidge brewed his first batch of Mac’s Beer in London in 2007, as a birthday present for his mother, Patricia.

Inspired by one of his grandfather’s old recipes, that beer was a tribute to his family’s brewing heritage. The beer became popular at his pub, The Horseshoe, and formed part of the story that ultimately led to Camden Town Brewery.

From a Rockhampton brewery established in 1880 to a family recipe revived in London more than a century later, the story of Mac’s is a remarkable link between Queensland’s brewing past and the modern craft beer world.

SOURCES: ABCR Auctions - Fitzroy Brewery McLaughlin Rockhampton Beer Barrel and December 1931 historical account, ABCR Auctions - Mac’s and McLaughlin beer labels, Rockhampton and District Historical Society - Central Queensland Collection, Brews News - CUB in Queensland, Time Gents - Fitzroy Brewery Rockhampton 1880–1976, Camden Town Brewery - About Us

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