On 21st October 1899 our very “First Contingent” departed Wellington aboard the SS WAIWERA amidst crowded streets and hopeful hearts that these first brave Kiwis to fight for Country and Crown would return safely Home to Loved ones.
But with bravery comes tragedy. There were many lost lives and saddened hearts. The war was won, but other war has followed. Let us never forget these men for the peaceful waters of today.
Our beers the ‘First Contingent' and ‘SS WAIWERA’ mark a celebration of all these men and women, our Heroes and their incredible stories.
OUR BEERS
Celebrate our First Contingents
First Contingent Beer SS WAIWERA 1899 Pale Ale
SS WAIWERA Pale Ale
ABOUT US
WE WILL Remember Them
We want to help everyone remember the men & women who made a difference to our lives today.
Through their sacrifice, we now live in much more peaceful times.
By finding and celebrating their war stories, we honour those who served for us.
We want to find these stories and bring them to you in the hope the simple act of drinking a beer, becomes an act of ‘sharing a beer’ with a fallen Kiwi.
We wanted to create a beer that will only be produced between 21 October each year, and Anzac Day the following year. Our beer will only be available for about 6 months per year.
We will start on 21 October because that is the date we sent our first ever Troops overseas – the First Contingent (21 October 1899) departing from the Wellington harbour on the SS Waiwera.
We will end each production on Anzac Day, on what has become the modern ‘Poppy Day’.
We want to grow our stories to include all those who served since 21 October 1899, and we want to work with organisations like the RSA and communities who support all those who have served and their families.
We feature the Poppy on our first labels, even though the Poppy did not become the symbol it is today until after World War 1.
Today, the poppy reminds us of sacrifices made – both past and present, and for all war services. Poppies were the first flowers to grow in the battlefields of Flanders in Belgium during World War One and are a symbol of remembrance and hope.
Poppy Day has been a part of the New Zealand calendar since 1922, making it one of the oldest nationwide appeals, and is usually held each year on the Friday before Anzac Day.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or if you think you would like to stock our brand don't hesitate to get in touch.