Founders family honoured in Nelson region’s new Hop Museum

Craft beer trail leads all the way to Nelson

Founders family honoured in region’s new Hop Museum

The craft beer trail now has a new end destination –Founders Heritage Park Hop Museum in Nelson.

With a beer brewing history of more than 170 years, Nelson is the craft brewing capital of New Zealand, and at the centre of that is the Duncan family who have been producing their Founders beer since 1854.

The museum details the history of craft beer and hop harvesting in the Nelson region with a journey through three rooms. The first is a replica hop kiln with details of early hop harvesting, the second room is home to the Brew House, which showcases early brewing equipment and the brewing process from start to finish, while the final room is the Brewer’s Office, which features a brewing timeline of the first 100 years of the industry in Nelson – including the story and social history of prohibition!

While the Founders’ brewery was one of 20 that were started by early settlers between 1843 and 1943, the Duncan family now stand as the oldest continuous brewing family in New Zealand, having passed their legacy through 16 decades.

Now in the hands of fifth and sixth generation brewers – John Duncan and his sons Callum and Matt – Founders has played a substantial role in Nelson’s craft beer legacy.

Seeing Founders Heritage Park Hop Museum open its doors for the first time is a very exciting day for the family, says John. It was made particularly special after discovering his great grandfather’s, 100-year-old, well-travelled leather suitcase earlier this year. The “Lost Suitcase” was full of original brewing books and equipment from early days of the family's Nelson brewery, many of which are now on display in the newly opened exhibition.

“I am passionate and proud about the hop and brewing history of Nelson and of our family. It is something unique to Nelson and with the growing interest in craft beer the timing for this museum is perfect. I have noticed a significantly increased number of overseas and national visitors coming to Nelson to do the craft beer trail, and they lap up the history of brewing and hop growing that the Nelson area has to offer,” he says.

“The early settlers were obviously a thirsty lot and even today there are 14 small breweries in Nelson. History repeats itself! My great, great grandfather started brewing in Nelson in 1854 and my sons are still brewing in Nelson today, it’s a special legacy to be a part of.”

Hop growing is an important local industry with over 80 per cent of Nelson hops exported, says John.

“Nelson hops are world renowned for their brewing quality. One of the first breweries in New Zealand was started here in Nelson, and our region has a rich history of brewing and hop growing that has continued for the last 170 years. Our family has been continuously associated with brewing in Nelson for 160 years, making us the oldest continuous brewing family in New Zealand.”

The museum, which opens on Tuesday November 25, 2015, took 18 months of planning and development under the guidance of the Founders Park curator Sally Papps. It has been funded from proceeds of the annual book fair held in the Park during Queen’s Birthday Weekend each year, which is run by volunteers.

Founders Heritage Park Facility Manager Maria Anderson says the Hop Museum is sure to be a highlight of the region’s summer season.

“Initiatives such as this Hop Museum and the Craft Brewing Trails are great for this region. Visitors get to explore and understand our brewing heritage and then pop next door and enjoy one of the top craft beers our region has to offer, in a visible working brewery. As tourism operators we are always looking for genuine stories to engage visitors to come to our region, learn about our past and meet our local people.”

Founders produce a range of seven craft beers, including the newly released 160 Golden Lager, ‘The Lost Suitcase’ which is available in six packs and 25L kegs.

More information can be found at www.foundersbrewery.co.nz

ENDS

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