Cairns Draught makes comeback, 25 years post-production

After a massive call for the return of the Far North’s favourite beer, Carlton and United Breweries are bringing back a Cairns classic to Queensland customers but it’s only available for a limited time.

AFTER more than 25 years since production finished, a Northern Queensland beer is making a comeback and hitting the shelves of Queensland bottle shops for a limited time.

Cairns Draught first hit the market in July 1925 but closed shop in 1996, now Carlton and United Breweries is bringing back Cairns’ first draught beer.

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Owner of the Woolshed Dominic Davies said he celebrated the return of the brew on Thursday afternoon in a “quintessentially Cairns fashion.”

“The return of Cairns Draught is a bit sentimental for us and it was nice sitting around with a few old-timer mates, enjoying the beer and overlooking the cane fields,” he said.

“It’s particularly hot in the North so you need a good beer to crush your thirst and Cairns Draught has always been a preferred drop.

“We had an Esky full of cans and we gave it a good nudge.”

Mr Davies said he expected a lot of Far Northerners to be reaching for the beer in liquor stores, some trying it for the first time.

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“It was really popular and most pubs poured it on tap but this time it’s coming back pre-packaged at the bottle shop,” he said.

“I think you’ll find a lot of people trying it, I’ll definitely have some in my fridge.

“It was a great brew, it’s got a bit more body to it so it’s nice to be able to get again and bring back that little bit of nostalgia,” he said.

“Cairns was so far away it warranted having its own brewery so this is very much a beer for us. It’s our beer.”

Carlton and United Breweries marketing manager Marc Lord said Cairns Draught was hugely popular in North Queensland as a thirst-quencher in the hot and humid climate.

“Local beer lovers have been calling for Cairns Draught to be revived, the people have spoken and we’ve listened,” he said.

“There’s been a big return to classic local beers during the pandemic and we’re ready to help with that strong sense of nostalgia.”

Originally published as Cairns Draught makes comeback, 25 years post-production