“Rum for a man,” they used to say about Normanby Rum. Here at the site of the historic Normanby Distillery, we’re about to dive into a spirited past.
The Normanby Distillery boasts a legacy that predates even Bundaberg and Beenleigh. Back in 1874, Brisbane entrepreneur Owen Gardner began distilling rum here. He used locally milled sugarcane and molasses. The distillery quickly became known as Normanby Rum.
Named after the first river steamboat to supply the mill, Normanby Rum earned acclaim. It even won a bronze medal at the Paris International Exposition of 1878. Imagine the excitement. Buyers from America, Canada, England, and even Jamaica showed interest.
By 1889, under Frederick Bennett’s leadership, the distillery thrived. Production soared to 1300 to 1800 liters of rum each week. Peak production reached 5000 liters a day in the 1920s. Bennett apparently offered employees a nip of overproof rum when they finished a job.
Initially, the distillery bottled its own rum. Later, it supplied overproof rum to breweries like Castlemaine Perkins. These breweries diluted it and sold it under labels like Red Seal and Blue Jacket.
Men back then often drank rum with a beer chaser. Normanby Rum was marketed as “rum for a man.” A rail line even transported molasses to the distillery. Bullock teams hauled wagons across Gympie Road until tractors replaced them.
In 1963, Qld United Foods acquired the distillery. Production ceased in 1968. Sammy McMahon purchased the remaining rum stock. The buildings deteriorated. A fire destroyed them in 1975.
Today, the spirit of Normanby Rum lives on. Copper & Cane Distilling continues this legacy. Guy Dalby creates quality spirits with local botanicals. He honors the old methods while embracing modern innovation. Copper & Cane Distilling produces the Garden Gin and the Thai Green Curry Gin. Soon, they will release a new version of Normanby Rum made with local molasses.
So, raise a glass to Normanby Distillery. Its rich history and the dedication to crafting exceptional spirits make it a true Brisbane treasure.