Leopard Strong

Leopard Strong is the premium lager of the Leopard Brewery in Hastings, Hawke's Bay — known variously as Leopard Export or Leopard Deluxe during different periods of production. The Leopard Brewery traces its origins to 1880 when the site was established under the name of Ellis, the mayor of Hastings. Edward Newbigin bought the brewery in 1894 and kept it in the family until 1957, when it was sold to Malayan Breweries in Singapore — a subsidiary of Heineken Brewery Holland — bringing the Heineken yeast and brewing philosophy to Hawke's Bay. During the nine years of Malayan Breweries ownership from 1957 to 1966, Leopard Strong was the premium end of the range alongside the popular Leopard Continental. The brewery achieved recognition as the first brewery in New Zealand to can beer during the 1960s. In 1966 New Zealand Breweries (Lion) bought a 50% shareholding, ending the Heineken connection. Lion purchased the remaining 50% in 1982 and eventually closed the brewery in 1997 after over a century of operation.