Fancy Seeing You Here
Kick those riding boots off, grab yourself a seat and let us welcome you into the world of Witches Brew.
GRANNIE ANNIE
AMY + HER GOLDEN SYRUP TIN OF HOOF OIL
Our Story
There is no scent more nostalgic and reminiscent of our epic childhood than the smell of ‘Grannie Annie’s Hoof Dressing’ (as it was affectionately known). A golden syrup tin floating about with the hoof oil inside could always be found on the farm at Dalefield, ready for painting onto the horses’ hooves and our hands.
Granny managed to keep the recipe she created in the 1970s a closely guarded secret and it became legendary in the Central Otago area. We suspect her sharp wit had something to do with its local fame. In 2018, Grannie Annie finally gave in to the nagging from us pesky grandkids and the recipe was passed on.
Witches Brew was started by 3 mad horse lovers...
Sarah, Amy and Rosie (Sarah and Amy being sisters by blood, Rosie being a sister by choice). Brewing began on Amy’s backyard BBQ in the suburbs of Queenstown. Despite the smell of the rendered fat, the neighbours never questioned us. There are still stains on Amy’s concrete from where things have spilled. We added our own ‘chuck a bit of this in’ attitude before graduating to the Official Plastic Champagne Flute measurement system. We were officially away!
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As more and more people have discovered the magic of the hoof oil we have evolved the brand into what it is today. Laughing with a wine, pink gin or cider while brewing the hoof oil is still our preferred team bonding exercise. Fun and friendship have been at the heart of Witches Brew from the get-go. Even as we have transitioned from a hobby into a business we have made sure we retain our mischievous ways.
MEET THE WITCHES
At the heart of every good horse brand are a bunch of mildly-manic, Olympic-level-wannabe riders, who love nothing more than yapping about their life-changing product. We figure, why buck the trend? So here we are in all our Witches Brew-preaching glory.
Get to know us all:
SARAH
Secret Powers
Creating ways to get Witches Brew onto more Kiwi hooves, keeping us in line and on track.
Sarah is as passionate as they come about the Witches Brew brand but her passion for gorgeous flowers and landscapes also needs tending to. A landscape gardener in her other life, she can be found bringing to life stunning outdoor spaces for her clients.
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AMY
Secret Powers
Nattering with customers, limiting frivolous spending.
While the early morning starts are not always ideal, Amy relishes any time spent with her beloved horse Coal.
Once the horse poo is washed off, Amy scrubs up for her other life as the owner and lead beauty therapist of Zenith Nails and Beauty in Queenstown.
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ROSIE
Secret Powers
Brewing the goods, hunting down suppliers.
If there were an award for most time spent horsing around, Rosie would win it. Thrive Equine is the fabulous business she owns and runs, offering riding lessons, holiday camps, schooling horses and selling them on behalf of owners. She just cannot get enough!
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THE WITCHES BREW EVOLUTION
1970s
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Hoof oil recipe is perfected by Grannie Annie and word spreads through Central Otago of its mystical hoof-nourishing powers.
2017
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Amy begs and pleads for the recipe from Grannie Annie (she had been begging for years already but lifted her game in 2017).
2018
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Recipe is released from the hands of Grannie Annie.
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Brewing begins on the BBQ in Amy’s suburban backyard.
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Witches Brew launches as an official hobby and is distributed to family and friends.
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Brewing moves to a more appropriate location.
2019
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First stockist comes on board.
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Sponsor our first rider Jess Land
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New logo is designed and updated labels follow soon after.
2020
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Pinch ourselves moment while slapping a huge Witches Brew logo on Mother Goose (our trusty float).
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Logo is splashed on a range of merch so that everyone can show their love for the brew.
2021
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First trade stand at the local Lake Hayes A&P show.
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Make the collective decision to turn Witches Brew from a hobby into a business. What pandemic?!
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Transition our packaging from white to fancy black with all new labels.
2022
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Launch of our website so people can buy the brew anytime.
