Speight’s marks 150 years

Speight’s New Zealand is marking its 150th anniversary, from its beginnings as a small local Dunedin brewery on Rattray Street in 1876.

Today, 150 years on, Speight’s sells one million litres every week and accounts for around one in five beers sold in Aotearoa.

Move with the times

Lion chief operating officer and New Zealand country director Craig Baldie says the anniversary reflects a brand that has continually moved with the times. 

“Speight’s is New Zealand’s oldest brewery and is still operating at its original Rattray Street site in Dunedin.

“Over the past 150 years, the brand has continued to evolve in response to changing consumer preferences while remaining true to what people know and trust about Speight’s.

“That authenticity which is anchored in its southern values has enabled the brand to connect with New Zealanders over generations,” says Baldie.

A brand that grew with the country 

James Speight, Charles Greenslade and William Dawson founded the brewery in Dunedin at a time when the city was one of the country’s busiest and most influential centres.

By the late 1880s, Speight’s had taken its place on the world stage, winning gold medals at international exhibitions and earning the name Gold Medal Ale, a legacy still stamped on every label today.

Within just over a decade, it had become the largest brewery in the country, exporting across the Pacific and putting Dunedin on the map as a brewing powerhouse.

The brewery says it has helped shape and reflect a distinctly Kiwi idea of mateship, as shown in its ads which include the Southern Man and “Good on ya, mate”.

Over the years, those stories have evolved with the times. Campaigns like ‘The dance’ portrayed a more modern take on  friendship and having someone’s back. Showing that the expression of mateship may shift but the sentiment behind it remains the same: a Speight’s drinker is always there to help a mate.

Add to that decades of the bottle cap questions, backing southern rugby and even shipping a pub halfway across the world, Speight’s has long held a place at the heart of Kiwi culture, the brewery adds.

A rise 150 years in the making 

Speight’s says it continues to hold that place in Kiwi culture, with its sales increasing 4.4% last year despite a general downward trend in beer consumption of 10% across the country.

A key inflection point came in 2017 with the launch of Speight’s Summit Ultra, developed in response to growing demand for lower-carb options.

“We identified early that consumers overseas were looking for lighter styles of beer that aligned with more balanced lifestyles, without compromising on taste,” says Baldie. 

“Summit Ultra has been instrumental in reshaping the brand’s trajectory and has played a significant role in its recent growth.”

The Speight’s range now also includes craft beer and alcohol-free options.

Speight’s celebrations 

To mark its 150th anniversary, Speight’s has released a commemorative can available nationwide.

In recognition of its Dunedin roots, Speight’s is also releasing a limited-edition Whisky Collection based at the Dunedin brewery and a Gold Medal Hokey Pokey ice cream collaboration with Patti’s & Cream.

A commemorative event will also be held at the Dunedin brewery to recognise the brand’s origins and ongoing connection to the region.

“This anniversary is an opportunity to acknowledge the role Speight’s has played in New Zealand’s history, as well as the people who have contributed to its success over the years. It’s also an exciting moment to celebrate Speight’s legacy and look ahead, with confidence in the brand’s continued growth,” says Baldie.