Beloved SA dairy brand AMSCOL is back at a retro burger bar
One of SA’s most beloved dairy brands is back after spending decades on ice following its sale to a confectionery giant. SHARE YOUR MEMORIES
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It’s been on ice for decades but one of South Australia’s most beloved food brands is back.
AMSCOL, a name synonymous with dairy milk and ice cream treats for Baby Boomers across the state, is now being served at new retro diner Cherry Burger at Colonnades shopping centre, in Noarlunga Centre.
Passionate South Australian Stewart Kay bought the AMSCOL brand around seven years ago and has been working with the diner’s owners to revive what he says is as close to the original recipe as they could get.
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Joy of Amscol sticks in the memory
“AMSCOL was about being the highest quality, the best taste and the freshest product,” says Kay, who has previously worked for drinks companies including Wendy’s and Farmer’s Union.
“Before McDonald’s, Hungry Jack’s (and) Pizza Hut, you went to the AMSCOL milk bar and you had an ice cream or shake – that was a treat.
“I still remember my nan’s house and the clinking of the bottles when the milkman arrived and she left the 60c or whatever under a rock … those were wonderful times.”
AMSCOL, which stands for Adelaide Milk Supply Co-Operative Ltd, had its main factory in Carrington St in the city from 1922 until it was bought by multinational brand Streets in the early 1980s.
“It was a forgotten old brand until I was able to secure it,” Kay says.
AMSCOL created the ice cream brick — designed to fit snugly into the first home refrigerators, as well as individual ice cream treats, and even came out with an iced coffee before Farmer’s Union.
The retro-look Cherry Burger at Colonnades is the first off the rank for the owners, who are focusing on an SA-driven menu.
Brioche buns are baked locally using a house recipe and patties are made with SA meat. They’re even serving up Jolt cola, which is manufactured in Welland.
Then, of course, there’s the shakes and sundaes.
“(The recipe is) a fairly simple specification — we have taste tested and have a flavour profile and company feel,” Kay says.
“It’s a privilege to bring it back.”
Kay is using existing facilities to make the ice cream, but he has a longer-term vision to “help struggling farmers with an SA brand they can take pride in”.
“In the initial phase, there’s enough capacity and manufacturing out in the world to tap into,” he says.
“Ultimately the dream will be to have a facility.”
