Former All Blacks player Terry McCashin is being remembered as the man who revolutionised the way we drink beer in New Zealand after his death this week.
Over 40 years ago Palmerston North born McCashin saw an appetite for something different and enlisted the help of English brewer Jim Pollitt.
McCashin bought the former Rochdale Cider Factory in Nelson where the now famous Mac's brand was born in 1981.
However, not everyone was optimistic about his chances entering a market that was dominated by Lion Nathan and Dominion Breweries.
"Muldoon did warn us. He said we were going up against two big giants and he said are you prepared to do it and we said we're committed," Mr Pollitt told 1 NEWS.
McCashin reluctantly sold the Mac's brand to Lion in 1999, although his son and daughter-in-law reopened the brewery in 2010, reinstating the McCashin name.
Brewers today have been paying tribute to the man who opened the door for them.
"He paved the way for different tasting beers, more expensive beers so people were willing to pay more.
"Pay a premium for their beers and from there the industry has blossomed," Craig Cooper of Bach Brewing said.
A sentiment many beer loving Kiwis would surely raise a glass to.
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