Tooheys beer notches up 150 years of brewing this September and will pay tribute to the milestone by raising glasses of Tooheys Country Special for the first time in 20 years.
On September 7, 1869, two Irish-Australian brothers, John and James Toohey, obtained their brewing license and started production of a black ‘old ale,’ which became Tooheys Old, at the first Tooheys Brewery in Darling Harbour.
When the operation outgrew the Darling Brewery, it expanded into Surry Hills, and it now calls Lidcombe home – a brewery which employs nearly 150 people and brews all its for the NSW market.
To mark 150 years since this NSW staple was born, staff have paid tribute to the brand.
Long-time employee and lover of the brand Doug May describes Tooheys beer as “quintessentially NSW.”
“Mateship, sociability, sport, celebrating, kicking back – Tooheys embodies all of these things with the added bonus of being number one in the state,” May said.
“When I first started working for Tooheys, it was right at the peak of the ‘How Do You Feel’ campaign. Tooheys was the beer sponsor of every sport in NSW – from horse racing to cricket, surf lifesaving to rugby league, and even the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Every sporting victory was toasted with a Tooheys.”
Brand Director Amy Darvill said Tooheys beer and NSW go hand-in-hand.
“The best thing about Tooheys’ rich heritage is hearing punters’ favourite memories of the brand. The relationship between the beer and the people of NSW has truly stood the test of time,” Darvill said.
“The jingle “I Feel Like A Tooheys Or Two” very much shaped a generation of beer drinkers, and seeing the joy on people’s faces as they recall the jingle and the fantastic old ads it featured in is absolutely priceless.
“For 150 years Tooheys has had a beer for each generation and it’s a testament to the people of the state that the brand remains just as relevant today as it was all those years ago. One in seven cases of beer sold in NSW to this day is a case of Tooheys. We are so proud to be NSW’s number one beer – and the only major brewer with a footprint in the state.”
Lion Beer MD James Brindley told the Daily Telegraph he’s also a diehard fan.
“My very first beer was Tooheys New in the Commercial Hotel at George St in Bathurst, so even before I joined Lion, Tooheys, and Tooheys New and another brand that I love — Tooheys Country Special — that was my brand of choice,” he said.
“I’m a very loyal New South Welshman, I’m very loyal to NSW, I’m loyal to rugby league and I’m loyal to Tooheys.”
To celebrate the milestone, the brewery will release a special edition 150th birthday retro can. It will also host pub takeovers in regional centres including Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Tamworth.
For the first time in more than 20 years, punters will be able to savour a schooner of Tooheys Country Special in selected venues across the state.
PORT MACQUARIE
Tacking Point Tavern
Corner of Ocean and Emerald Drives, Port Macquarie
From 1pm on Saturday, September 7, 2019
TAMWORTH
Longyard Hotel
10/12 The Ringers Road, Tamworth
From 12pm on Saturday, September 14, 2019
NEWCASTLE
Wests New Lambton
88 Hobart Road, New Lambton
Saturday, September 28, 2019
